Beef Kofta Kebabs with Tzatziki | The Modern Proper (2024)

June 11, 2024

Big, bold herbs and spices make these beef kofta kebabs with tzatziki perfect for a super satisfying centerpiece for a Mediterranean-inspired feast.

Beef Kofta—Party Food? Or ULTIMATE Party Food?

Bringing friends and family together around the dinner table is what The Modern Proper is all about, but sometimes the logistics of it all can get to us (yes, even us!). But the thing is, if we can muster the energy to make a simple meal and invite a few friends over, the effort is always, always rewarded. Nourishing the body, in the company of good friends, is to also nourish the soul. And this easy beef kofta recipe served with tzatziki sauce makes the perfect centerpiece for a casual dinner party. If you want to mix it up, but stay meaty and Mediterranean, check out our easy Gyro Meat.

A Garden’s Worth of Herbs Make for the Best Beef Kofta Kebabs.

Do you ever stand in the dried herb section of the bulk aisle and—when no one is looking—sniff the more exotic herbs and spices, wondering what you could make with them? “When will I get to use sumac?” you ask yourself. Well, friend, today’s the day! Kofta kebabs are all about the spices. In addition to salt and pepper, we spice the ground beef with:

• Rosemary
• Cumin
• Oregano
• Sumac
• Cinnamon

Finger Foods, FTW!

Now that your gorgeous beef kofta skewers are on ready—the rest is simple. In true Mediterranean feasting style we like to add and add and add to the table, and when you think you have enough dishes, add some more! Then, when you actually have enough, add a bunch of wine and dig in! Sit and talk and eat and talk some more. Then keep eating. These side dishes are meant to be simple simple simple. You can make them yourself, use store-bought, or when your friends ask what they can bring, assign them one or two of the sides. People love to help! Why not take them up on it? We love to serve beef kofta with:

• Lots of Hummus. Make it yourself or buy it.
• A simple salad of onion, tomatoes, cucumbers and olive oil.
• A large hunk of fresh feta, crumbled.
• Olives.
• Some crunchy Falafel.
• Pita bread! Just warm it in the oven before serving.
• Tzatziki Sauce. OK this one we really think you should DIY—it’s easy, and homemade tastes so much better.

Beef Kofta, Two Ways.

This kofta recipe is all about having a heavy hand with the herbs and spices. Once you’ve made the spiced meat mixture, and formed the skewers, you’ll have a decision to make! To grill, or not to grill. You can grill them for a lovely smokey flavor, or bake them in the oven for ease. Either way, they’ll be delicious. If you can, make the beef kofta mixture a day ahead of time so that the flavors can meld. Here’s how to make beef kofta:

1. Grate onion! This one of our favorite tricks ever—we’ve been known to mix grated onion into ground beef for burgers, even. Using your food processor to grate the onion is super fast, but a box grater works, too. After you grate the onion, wrap the onion pulp in a towel and give it a good squeeze to get rid of excess liquid.
2. Make the kofta mixture. Use your hands to blend the ground beef, grated onion, garlic, pepper, salt, marjoram, rosemary, cumin, oregano, sumac and cinnamon.
3. Shape the kofta! If you’re going to cook the kofta in the oven, you can skip the skewers and just mold the beef kofta mixture into oval-shaped patties, or even into a more traditional meatball shape.
4. Cook! Grill, or bake in an oven, until the beef is entirely cooked through.
5. Serve! With all the trimmings.

Tools You’ll Need:

• A large bowl for mixing.
• A box grater or food processor.
• Skewers.
• Sharp knife and cutting board, as always!

Meatballs: Not Just a Spaghetti Topper Anymore.

We’re going to let you in on a little secret—kofta basically just means “spiced meatball”. And we’re really into meatballs. They’re a terrific blank slate, and we love to think outside the box and flavor them with all kinds of fun herbs and spices. Here are a few of our go-to meatball recipes:

• Turkey Meatballs in a Creamy Red Curry Sauce
• Meatball Shakshuka
• Swedish Meatballs
• Mediterranean Meatballs with Tzatziki

Host with the Most!

Whether you serve our kofta kebabs as part of a Mediterranean feast for ten of your closest friends, or just as a quick weeknight dinner to mix up your routine, we hope this recipe is a hit for you! Let us know how it turns out! Snap a photo, and tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper. Happy eating! For more recipe inspiration you can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest.