Kefta, or koftas are essentially Middle Eastern Meatballs infused with fragrant spices and herbs, then shaped into an oval on a skewer, and gently grilled until cooked through. Beef Keftas offer a new and delicious way to enjoy ground beef!
Beef Keftas or Koftas
My research dictates either name works. A group of meatball dishes common in Middle Eastern countries is called a Kofta. Depending on where you are in the world they can go by different names, utilize different proteins and different cooking methods although the common ingredient is ground or minced meat.
We also have a family favourite recipe in this website called Pork Koftas, linked below, served with a fresh, bright dill salsa.
If you don’t have skewers or want to take the time to form the keftas on the skewers, shape the ground meat into equal length logs or sausages and grill as you normally would a burger. Form them into whatever size works for you, large, medium or bite sized appetizers.
How to serve beef keftas
This is a fun street food so enjoy them right on the skewer or remove and add to a pita, wrap or sandwich. This is how we like to eat our keftas:
- With a side salad like this Cucumber Salad
- With pasta
- In a pita or wrap with cut up tomatoes, onion, cucumbers, pickles, fresh herbs, hummus, tzatziki
- Smaller bites with a dipping sauce
- In lettuce cups some fresh veggies like cucumbers and onions
- With your favourite salsa
Sauces for Beef Keftas
I love a good sauce so here’s a few you might want to make to enjoy with the keftas!
Looking for other fun and unique worldly recipes to try?! Check these out:
- Chicken Shawarma
- Albondigas
- Mulligatawny Soup
- How to make Labne
- Pork Koftas with Tomato Dill Salsa
- Vietnamese Pork Meatball Banh Mi
If you made this recipe tag Wanda Baker on Instagram and hashtag it #bakersbeans or #wandabaker
Ingredients
- 10-12 Bamboo skewers
- 1 - 1.5 lb lean ground beef you can also use ground lamb
- 3 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro omit if you don't like
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika or regular if you don't have smoked
- 1/2 tsp oregano dried
- 1 tsp fresh ginger
Instructions
- Make sure to soak your wooden skewers in water at least 30 minutes before using.
- Mix all ingredients with beef. Portion beef mixture into 10-12 balls. Shape each ball around the pointed end of a pre soaked bamboo skewer, forming a sausage shaped log as long as you would like. 2-3 inches is good. Once formed set on a platter and heat your grill.
- Grill the Keftas over medium high heat turning occasionally until browned and cooked through, approximately 10 minutes.
- Remove from grill, let rest for a few minutes and serve.
These were amazing. We made them a little smaller, so flavourful!
These look delicious, and so many different ways to serve them too. I can’t wait to try them.
A nice change up in the weekly menu!
Time to get my grill fired up and ready for these! I love the combination of spices you have mixed together to make these meat sticks. I can’t wait to give them a try.
My son devours them! Hope you enjoy them just as much!
I am so glad to see you used beef with all that flavor I cant wait to try this I never can find lamb and I love these flavors
Beef adds a nice flavour!
I love beef koftas! They are so flavorful! Can’t wait to make this yummy version!
Such a tasty meal!
So delicious and so flavorful! My family enjoyed the kefta very much!
That’s great! Happy you liked them!