Simon Majumdar - Kofta Kebab (2024)

Cooking “stuff on skewers” is a common practice throughout the world, and I can regularly be found chowing down on skewers of lamb or chicken when I visit street markets on my travels.One of my favorite is this recipe for spicy ground lamb kebabs that has its origins in the Ottoman Empire in what is now Turkey.

These can be cooked outside on the grill, or, as I did, on a cast iron griddle on the stove.You can even bake them at a high heat in the oven.

Simon Majumdar - Kofta Kebab (1)

Kofta Kebab Recipe

(Makes approximately eight 6-inch skewers)

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs of Ground Lamb (you can substitute ground beef, chicken or turkey, but lamb gives you the original taste)

  • 1 Tsp Salt

  • 1 Tsp Ground Black Pepper

  • 1 Tsp Cayenne Pepper

  • 1 Tsp Ground Cumin

  • 1 Tsp Ground Coriander

  • 2 Cloves Garlic (finely minced)

  • 1 Shallot (finely minced)

  • ½ Cup Chopped Cilantro

  • Skewers (Traditionally, these are cooked on long flat metal skewers, but can be done on wooden skewers that have been soaked in water for an hour.)

Instructions

  1. Combine the ground meat with all the other ingredients in a bowl.You really need to use your hands and work the meat to make sure everything is fully combined.

  2. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and leave in the refrigerator for an hour.

  3. Soak the wooden skewers for at least an hour.

  4. When ready to cook, form a palm sized ball of meat and push the skewer through the meat.

  5. Flatten the meat, spreading it along the skewer until it covers all but the tips.

  6. Place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

  7. Once you have finished all your skewers, place the skewers back in the refrigerator until ready to cook.This will help them set and stop them falling off the skewers.

  8. When ready to cook, heat your griddle to a high heat and place the skewers gently on the griddle.

  9. Allow to cook on one side for three minutes.Do not move the skewer or the meat will fall off.You need to let the meat cook so it sets on the skewer.

  10. After three minutes, gently flip the skewers and cook on the other side for the same time.

  11. If you are cooking in batches, keep the cooked skewers warm in a low oven while you cook the rest.

  12. Serve the skewers with a simple tomato and cucumber salad, yogurt dip like the raita recipe on this website, and flat bread.

  13. Squeeze over a splash of lemon juice before serving.

Simon Majumdar - Kofta Kebab (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between kebab and kofta kebab? ›

Kofta can be served as meatballs or it can be formed onto skewers as kebabs and cooked over an open flame. Traditional kebabs are usually made with cubed meat. Kofta kebabs, on the other hand, are made with ground meat. They're typically made with beef, lamb or a combination of the two.

What binds kebab meat? ›

Binding Agents: Use binding agents like gram flour (besan) or breadcrumbs. These ingredients help hold the mixture together, preventing the kebabs from falling apart during cooking. 3. Texture: Ensure that the ground meat isn't too finely minced.

Why won't my kofta stick to the skewer? ›

Mix your meat real well either by hand (I prefer hand) or mixer until is tacky. Wet your hands when skewering them up. If you're unsure, put the meat mix in the freezer 20 mins till you're ready to skewer so it's really cold.

Are kofta kebabs healthy? ›

Lamb kofta dishes are especially popular and are cooked in gravy and spices to your taste. Despite being known in Europe as a more unhealthy, fast food dish, they can very much be made to make a decent hearty meal. They are as healthy as ever when you use Lo-dough as your bread alternative.

What we say kofta in English? ›

Kofta is a family of meatball or meatloaf dishes found in South Asian, Central Asian, Balkan, Middle Eastern, North African, and South Caucasian cuisines.

Is kebab Arab or Turkish? ›

kebab, dish of Middle Eastern or Central Asian origin that typically combines small pieces of meat such as lamb or beef with vegetables on a skewer and is then grilled. Kebab derives from a Persian term for the dish that passed into both Arabic (as kabāb) and Turkish (as kebap).

Why do you put baking soda in kebabs? ›

adding some baking soda into the meat mixture will help bind and lighten the density of the minced mixture.

Why do you soak kebab sticks? ›

Bamboo skewers, like the ones you can buy in bulk at the grocery store, are inherently flammable — they are wood, after all! The dry and brittle wood easily burns on a hot grill, unless you take preventative action. The best way to keep wooden skewers from burning is to soak them in water before firing up the grill.

What is the best binder for kebabs? ›

Kebab Binding Tip: If the meat is not sticking together and falling apart, add a whisked egg or 1-2 tablespoons of breadcrumbs to bind the mixture well.

How do you make kebabs not stick? ›

Prep your grill properly

Be sure the kebabs are also slicked in some nonstick spray or oil, and threaded through grill skewers, and you should be good to go. Remember, on a properly prepared grill, food should naturally release when seared. If it is sticking, give it another minute and don't force it.

How do you make kebab meat stick together? ›

How To Skewer Ground Meat (So That It Stays On The Sticks)
  1. Make Sure The Meat (and Your Hands) Are Always Cold.
  2. Mix Well and Remove Air Bubbles In the Meat.
  3. Salt Is Your Best Friend.
  4. Have A Good Seal On The Meat When Skewering.
  5. Double Up The Skewers (and Don't Put Too Much Meat)
  6. If All Else Fails, Don't Use Skewers 🙂
Jun 17, 2018

How to make kebabs bind? ›

Kebab Binding Tip: If the meat is not sticking together and falling apart, add a whisked egg or 1-2 tablespoons of breadcrumbs to bind the mixture well.

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