Garlic Lemon Beef Kofta
Tired of making the same pasta? These flavorful, juicy meatballs are a fresh 30-minute dinner.
When you're exhausted after a long day, the last thing you want is a complicated multi-step recipe that keeps you in the kitchen forever. These beef koftas are your new secret weapon because they combine deep, savory spices with a hit of lemon to make a meal that feels gourmet but takes very little effort. The ground beef stays juicy thanks to the olive oil and herbs, making it incredibly satisfying to eat. You can serve these over some quick rice or even inside a warm pita for an easy cleanup. That first bite of zesty, herb-forward meat is exactly what you need to unwind tonight. It's hearty, flavorful, and honestly just delicious enough that your family won't know how 'easy' it actually was.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb ground beef
- 3 unit garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 0.5 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 unit lemon — juiced
Method
- 1 In a large bowl, combine ground beef, minced garlic, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, salt, pepper, parsley, and red pepper flakes.
- 2 Mix with your hands until the spices are evenly distributed. Do not overwork the meat; just mix until combined.
- 3 Shape the mixture into 12-16 small oval meatballs or oblong kofta shapes.
- 4 Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the koftas and sear for about 3-4 minutes per side, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
- 5 Remove from heat and drizzle with the lemon juice. Serve immediately.
Variations
- Lighter Version — Swap half of the ground beef with cooked quinoa or finely chopped mushrooms to add volume.
- Extra Spicy — Add a diced serrano pepper or an extra teaspoon of red pepper flakes for more heat.
Notes
If you want to prep these ahead of time, you can shape the meatballs in advance and keep them in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
Equipment that helps
- Large Skillet — Allows you to sear the meat evenly and quickly without flipping too many times.
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