• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Cooking Gorgeous
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Contact Us
    • Media Mentions
  • Recipe Index
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Snapchat
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • Cozy Soups
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • Cozy Soups
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    • Key Lime Cookies with Glaze
    • Best Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms
    • Easy Mexican Cornbread Recipe
    • Lox Bagel - Smoked Salmon Bagel with Cream Cheese
    • Salep - Turkish Hot Milk Drink (Sahlab)
    • Berliner - German Jam Doughnuts
    • Fatayer - Homemade Lebanese Pies
    • Potatoes au Gratin - Dauphinoise Potatoes
    • Ghormeh Sabzi - Persian Herb Stew
    • Easy Chicken Macaroni Salad
    • Watermelon Feta Salad with Basil and Cucumber
    • Mango Pico de Gallo - Fresh Mango Salsa
    Cooking Gorgeous » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Turkish Grilled Lamb Kofta - Izgara Kofte

    Published: Dec 20, 2021 · Modified: Nov 6, 2022 by Ayla Clulee · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Grilled Lamb Kofta (Izgara Kofte in Turkish) is one of the most popular street food in Turkey made with minced lamb and aromatic spices such as coriander and paprika.

    It is extremely easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients and some basic cooking skills.

    grilled lamb kofte served with batata harra

    These extremely delicious and juicy lamb kofta kebabs are traditionally cooked over charcoal but you can cook them on a gas BBQ, on the stove, or even in the oven grill.

    One of the best things about this Turkish Lamb Kofta is its versatility. You can serve it in a variety of ways, making it perfect for any occasion.

    Additionally, the kofta is shaped into small cylinders or patties, making it easy to eat and share.

    What is Lamb Kofta?

    Lamb kofta is a popular Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dish made from ground lamb meat flavored with various spices and fresh herbs.

    They can be shaped in patties (Patlican Kebabi - Eggplant Kebab), balls (Sulu Köfte - Turkish Meatball Soup), sausage-shaped (Izmir Kofte - Smyrna Meatballs), or on skewers (Adana Kebap - Adana Kofte).

    Kofta dishes are very popular in Turkey and there are around 300 different types of kofte recipes.

    Although technically koftas are "meatballs", some Turkish kofta recipes don't contain any meat such as Courgette Fritters (Mucver) Recipe, Fellah Koftesi, and Mercimek Kofte (Vegan Lentil Balls).

    They are more widely consumed than any other dish, and many regional variations date back hundreds of years.

    Lamb Kofta served with spicy Batata Harra (Lebanese Potatoes) is a perfect Mediterranean meal.

    Origins of Lamb Kofta

    Lamb kofta is a popular dish throughout the Middle East and Mediterranean region including Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, and Greece.

    Its exact origin is unclear, as variations of the dish are present in many countries across the region.

    However, it is believed that kofta originated in Persia (modern-day Iran) and then spread throughout the region as a popular street food.

    As the dish spread, it evolved to incorporate local ingredients and flavors, leading to the creation of different variations across different countries.

    In Turkey, lamb kofta is a popular dish that is often served as part of a mezze platter or as a main course.

    grilled-lamb-kofta-izgara-kofte-10

    In Lebanon, kofta is often made with a mixture of ground lamb and beef. It is then seasoned with a blend of spices such as allspice, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

    Lebanese kofta is typically grilled and served with a side of hummus and pita bread.

    Why This Recipe Works?

    • Grilled Lamb Kofta is easy to prepare with step-by-step instructions and pictures, a perfect weekday meal with minimum preparation.
    • You can make them ahead and keep them refrigerated for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to 3 months. Perfect dish for busy weekday meals or big gatherings!
    • Most of the ingredients for making Lamb Koftas are possibly already in your pantry or fridge.

    Ingredients and Substitutes

    Labelled picture of ingredients for lamb kofta
    • Lamb mince - The main ingredient for kofte is minced lamb (ground lamb); its fat content is as important as the quality of the meat. Ideally, it should have %20 fat for soft and delicious koftes. Using lean minced meat will make them dry and tough.
    • Onion -  It adds extra flavor and moisture to the koftas. I prefer grating it into the mixture. You can finely chop and sauté them if you prefer. You can substitute it with two banana shallots.
    • Garlic - It is another great flavoring for kofte dishes and is absolutely essential. You can turn it into a paste with a mortar and pestle or grate it with a Microplane. You can substitute the fresh garlic with the garlic powder.
    • Egg - It helps to bind the meat, breadcrumbs, spices, and herbs. For up to one kilo of meat, you usually won't need more than one egg.
    • Kofta Spices - Most recipes call for a blend of coriander powder, black pepper, and paprika (or chili) but you can also add cumin, cayenne pepper, or a touch of cinnamon.
    • Bread crumbs - They absorb the juices from the meat as it cooks, trapping them within the meatball. Also, they give meatballs a nice soft texture.
    • Parsley - Great tasting herb to add to the Kofte mixture. Use flat-leaf or curly parsley leaves for the best results. You can substitute it with thyme or oregano. 

    How to Make the Best Lamb Koftas?

    Making this delicious kofta dish is very simple and straightforward.

    However, to achieve the best results you need to follow a few tips and simple steps:

    Prepare the Yoghurt Dressing

    Turn the garlic into a paste using a pestle and mortar or grate it using a Microplane.

    Place the yogurt in a bowl and add the garlic paste along with the dried mint and mix well.

    Set aside and keep refrigerated until you need it.

    garlic, yoghurt and mint for dressing

    Prepare the Lamb Koftas

    If cooking the koftas on a BBQ, preheat your BBQ to medium-high.

    For cooking the koftas on an oven grill, preheat it to medium-high.

    Or, if you want to cook the koftas on a skillet, preheat it over medium-high heat.

    To prepare the kofte mixture, place the minced lamb, grated onion, parsley, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, and spices in a large bowl.

    place kofte ingredients in a bowl

    Mix well for at least 5 minutes or until it has a nice and soft texture slightly sticking to your hand. 

    the mixture for Lamb kofta is ready to be shaped

    Shape them into 10-12 equally sized patties using the palm of your hands.

    Wet your palm with a bit of water to avoid the meatballs sticking to your hand. 

    kofta mixture is shaped into patties

    Cook the koftas on BBQ for 6 to 8 minutes, until all sides are nicely browned.

    It would take 10 to 12 minutes in the oven grill and 5 to 7 minutes on the skillet to cook the koftas.

    lamb koftas are cooked until golden brown

    Serve them immediately on a bed of Turkish Rice (Sehriyeli Pilav) or Greek Pita Bread with a dollop of yogurt dressing.

    lamb koftas served on pita bread with yogurt dressing and onion salad

    Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.

    How to Serve Lamb Koftas?

    There are many ways to enjoy this juicy Lamb Koftas:

    You can have them with flatbread such as Turkish Pide Bread - Ramazan Pidesi, Bazlama (Turkish Flatbread), or Garlic Naan - Indian Flatbread.

    Or serve them with pilaf dishes such as Bulgur Pilavi (Turkish Bulgur Rice Pilaf), Yellow Rice (Indian Turmeric Pilau Rice), or Turkish Bulgur Pilaf with Lentils.

    Don't forget to add some refreshing side dishes to go with your spicy Lamb Koftas such as Indian Chickpea Salad - Chana Salad, Greek Cucumber Salad, Cacik (Turkish Yoghurt With Cucumbers), or Tomato and Walnut Salad (Gavurdagi Salatasi).

    lamb koftas served on pita bread with yogurt dressing and onion salad

    Top Tips From the Chef

    • The lamb mince should have %20 fat for soft and delicious koftas. Using lean meat will make them dry and tough.
    • Let your kofte mixture rest for a minimum of 2 hours, ideally overnight for the flavors to meld.
    • Use your hands to mix up the meat, herbs, and spices to make sure everything is mixed well.
    • You can shape the lamb kofta on skewers and serve them as lamb kofte kebabs for your BBQ parties.
    • For meal prep, you can store the kofta mixture refrigerated in an airtight container for a couple of days.
    Sigara kofte served with salad, yoghurt sauce and pita bread

    Storage Instructions

    • Refrigerate leftovers promptly - If you have any leftover lamb kofta, make sure to refrigerate it within two hours of cooking. Place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
    • Freeze for longer storage - If you want to store lamb kofta for a longer period, you can freeze it. Place the cooked kofta in an airtight container or freezer bag and store it in the freezer for up to three months.
    • Thaw safely - When you're ready to eat the frozen lamb kofta, thaw it safely in the refrigerator overnight. Avoid thawing it at room temperature or in the microwave, as this could lead to uneven thawing and bacterial growth.

    Recipe FAQs

    Where does lamb kofta originate from?

    Although it is very difficult to tell what country this delicious meat dish is originally from, the first kofte recipe is found in an Arabic cookbook.
    Kofte is widely popular in Middle Eastern, Balkan, Central Asian, and North African countries.

    Can you make them ahead?

    Yes, you can make kofte mixture a couple of days in advance and keep them in the fridge in an airtight container until you need them.

    Is lamb kofta healthy?

    Lamb kofta can be a healthy dish if you prepare it with lean ground lamb and a variety of fresh herbs and spices. However, it is important to watch portion sizes and limit added fats and oils.

    Related Recipes

    For more delicious Turkish street food recipes why not try:

    • kumpir - turkish baked potatoes
      Kumpir - Turkish Baked Potato
    • freshly baked simit bread
      Simit (Turkish Sesame Bagel)
    • Turkish Lahmacun
    • Gozleme (Turkish Pancakes)

    Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.

    I hope you enjoy the process of making these soft, juicy, and spicy grilled Lamb Koftas as much as you enjoy eating them! 🙂 

    Bon appétit! / Afiyet olsun!

    lamb kofte patties served with pita bread, haydari and salad

    Grilled Lamb Kofta - Izgara Kofte

    Ayla Clulee
    Grilled Lamb Kofta (Izgara Kofte in Turkish) is one of the most popular street food in Turkey made with minced lamb and aromatic spices.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Turkish
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 456 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 kebab skewers
    • 1 kitchen scale
    • 1 grater
    • 1 microplane
    • 1 Sharp knife
    • 1 Measuring cups

    Ingredients
     
     

    For the Yoghurt Dressing

    • 1 cup Natural yoghurt
    • 1 clove garlic
    • ½ teaspoon dried mint

    For the Lamb Koftas

    • 500 g minced lamb (minimum of 20% fat content)
    • 1 large onion (grated)
    • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
    • 1 medium egg
    • 30 g breadcrumbs
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon paprika
    • ½ teaspoon flaked chilli (pul biber)
    • ½ teaspoon coriander powder
    • 2 tablespoon chopped parsley

    Instructions
     

    Preparing the Yoghurt Dressing

    • Turn the garlic into a paste using a pestle and mortar or grate it using a Microplane.
    • Place the yogurt in a bowl and add the garlic paste.
    • Add the dried mint and mix well. Set aside and keep refrigerated until you need it.

    Preparing the Lamb Koftas

    • If cooking the koftas on a BBQ, preheat your BBQ to medium-high, if cooking them in the oven-grill, preheat the oven grill to medium-high, or if using a skillet, preheat your skillet over medium-high heat.
    • To prepare the kofte mixture, put all kofte ingredients in a large bowl and then mix well for at least 5 minutes or until it has a nice and soft texture slightly sticking to your hand.
    • Shape them into 10-12 equally sized patties using the palm of your hands. Wet your palm with a bit of water to avoid the meatballs sticking to your hand.
    • Cook the koftas on BBQ for 6 to 8 minutes, until all sides are nicely browned. It would take 10 to 12 minutes in oven-grill and 5 to 7 minutes on the skillet to cook the koftas.
    • Serve them immediately on a bed of Turkish Rice Pilaf or Homemade Pita Bread with a dollop of yogurt dressing.

    Notes

    • The lamb mince should have %20 fat for soft and delicious koftas. Using lean minced meat will make them dry and tough.
    • Let your kofte mixture rest for a minimum of 2 hours, ideally overnight for the flavors to meld.
    • Use your hands to mix up the meat, herbs, and spices to make sure everything is mixed well.
    • You can shape the lamb kofta on skewers and serve them as lamb kofte kebabs for your BBQ parties.
    • For meal prep, you can store the kofta mixture refrigerated in an airtight container for a couple of days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 456kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 26gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 140mgSodium: 757mgPotassium: 486mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 317IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 134mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cookingorgeous or tag #cookingorgeous!

    This post uses affiliate links. This means that if you click on them and then buy something, we get a small amount of commission to keep the site running, but it doesn’t cost you anything more.

    « Cheese Borek - Peynirli Borek
    Chicken and Chorizo Pasta »

    Sign up for Cooking Gorgeous Newsletter to get the latest recipes into your inbox!

    Thank you!

    You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

    .

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sabeen

      January 04, 2022 at 3:50 pm

      5 stars
      This koftas are delicious. Will definitely make them again.

      Reply
    2. Rick

      April 10, 2022 at 5:18 am

      5 stars
      Amazing recipe! They look (and sound) very healthy, on my list to "explore" this weekend.

      Reply
    3. Jacqui

      April 25, 2022 at 9:19 am

      5 stars
      Tastes amazing! Family favourite

      Reply
      • Ayla Clulee

        April 26, 2022 at 4:56 am

        Thank you, Jacqui!

        Reply
    4. Fiona

      July 01, 2022 at 5:06 am

      5 stars
      Mixed all the ingredients, refrigerated overnight, and grilled them the next day on the BBQ. They were very easy to shape and grill and tasted fantastic. Will definitely make again. Thanks!

      Reply
    5. Pam

      July 03, 2022 at 4:20 am

      5 stars
      Fantastic koftas. Made them the day before and that worked well too. Would definitely make again.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Cooking Gorgeous, where delicious recipes and culinary inspiration await you! I'm Ayla, a passionate and professional chef based in the UK, and I'm thrilled to have you here. The kitchen is my happy place and cooking is my therapy.

    More about me →

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy
    • FAQs

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 Cooking Gorgeous

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT