Grilled Ground Turkey Kofta Kebabs

Made with aromatic spices and lean floor turkey, these Center Jap-inspired Turkey Kofta Kebabs are a scrumptious approach to grill dinner this summer season. In simply 40-minutes you’ll be filling pita pockets with these juicy koftas together with our simple Greek yogurt cucumber sauce. Take your tastebuds on a visit world wide with this succulent and satisfying weeknight dinner!

Why We Love This Recipe For Turkey Kofta

In case you’re searching for the right mix of vibrant flavors and grilled perfection, look no additional than Grilled Floor Turkey Kofta Kebabs! Center Jap delicacies is thought for its liberal use of spices and this grilled turkey dish isn’t any exception! I’ve made Mediterranean impressed kofta earlier than with Grilled Lamb Kofta Kebabs, however this time I used to be motivated to create a more healthy model made with floor turkey as a substitute of lamb or beef. 

Kofta is loved by a variety of nations and cuisines from starting from South Asia, to the Center East and Arab cultures in North Africa and past! There are as many variations as there are nations and cultures that get pleasure from this juicy grilled meat on a stick. Primarily, Kofta is a kind of meatball that’s comprised of floor meat combined with onions, garlic, and different spices. It’s then formed into balls, footballs or sausage-like shapes to be skewered, grilled, and historically served with pita or naan.

I’ve accented this recipe with a tasty Yogurt Cucumber Tzatziki Sauce dolloped on prime. That stated, some Roasted Garlic Hummus smeared in your pita would make an excellent companion to the tzatziki – little question about it. You possibly can spherical out your turkey kofta kebabs with Mediterranean-inspired sides like 15 Minute Greek Cucumber Salad, Simple Tabbouleh Salad, or Isreali Couscous Salad.

I hope you’re getting hungry! Now fireplace up the grill and prepare to take your tastebuds on a journey!

Key Elements for the Kebabs and Yogurt Sauce

Floor Turkey

Floor turkey is decrease in saturated fats compared to lamb or beef, so it makes this recipe more healthy. Take into account that your floor turkey solely retains within the fridge for two or 3 days, so be ready to grill your kofta kebabs quickly after you buy the meat. 

Onion and Garlic

Onion and garlic are going to taste and moisten your floor turkey. For this recipe, you’ll have to mince each your onion and garlic, and you may learn extra about how to cut your onion right here.

Parsley

One of many staple components in conventional kofta is parsley. It doesn’t matter what sort of parsley you utilize, simply be sure to wash and dry totally. Then take away the stem and finely chop ¼ cup on your turkey combination.

Breadcrumbs

Breadcrumbs are the one ingredient on this recipe not conventional to kofta, however they certain are mandatory. The turkey is just too delicate to carry its form except breadcrumbs are included to bind the components collectively.

Elements For The Yogurt Cucumber Tzatziki Sauce

What are kofta kebabs in a pita pocket with out creamy yogurt sauce to dserve with it? This can be a easy tzatziki-inspired yogurt and cucumber sauce that does some multitasking; certain it tastes nice, however it additionally helps to moisten the kofta for serving because it’s so lean in comparison with floor beef or lamb.

Cucumber

You will have half of a giant cucumber for this recipe. When you grate the cucumber, squeeze the surplus moisture out so your sauce doesn’t get watery.

Yogurt

This recipe requires Greek yogurt which is good and thick and gained’t get too watery while you add the cucumber. We opted for full-fat in order that it couls additionally add richness, however in case you solely have fat-free readily available that works too.

Lemon Juice

In case you can’t procure lemon juice, you may also use purple wine vinegar and there can be little to no distinction in style. 

Garlic

Sure, that’s proper, garlic once more! Garlic will season each parts of this recipe.

Spices For Kofta

Sumac

Floor sumac is a standard spice in Center Jap cuisines, and is thought for its tart taste and vibrant purple shade. In case you can not discover floor sumac, you possibly can omit it or add a small quantity of lemon zest.

Further Spices

• Floor cumin
• Salt and pepper
• Floor cinnamon
• Floor allspice
• Floor cloves

Step By Step Directions For Grilled Turkey Koftas

Step 1: Soften Onion and Garlic

Warmth oil in a medium skillet over medium-high warmth. Add your minced onion and half of the minced garlic and stir usually till the onion softens and begins to brown. After about 5 minutes, scrape this combination right into a bowl and permit it to chill for about 10 minutes.

Step 2: Preheat Grill and Make Kofta Combination

Preheat the grill to medium-high warmth and wash your fingers. Whilst you’re ready for the grill to warmth, knead the bottom turkey, the onion combination, parsley, breadcrumbs, and all spices in a medium bowl till all the things is evenly distributed all through the meat.

Step 3: Form and Skewer

Divide the kofta combination into 8 parts and form every into 3-inch sausage shapes. Thread the meat onto a heavy steel skewer.

Step 4: Oil the Grill

Soak a folded paper towel with oil and use tongs to pull it alongside the grill grate. Do that instantly earlier than including the meat, because the oil will prepare dinner off shortly.

Step 5: Grill the Kebabs

Grill your kebabs, turning as soon as, till cooked by means of (9 to 13 minutes). Let the kebabs relaxation for 4 to five minutes.

Step 6: Make the Tzatziki Sauce

Whereas your kebabs relaxation, grate the cucumber and place it in a colander or strainer. Squeeze the surplus moisture from the cucumber, after which stir the cucumber, yogurt, lemon juice, the remaining garlic, and the remaining ¼ teaspoon of salt. 

Step 7: Serve with Sauce

Serve your grilled kofta kebabs in a pita pocket with tzatziki sauce.

FAQs and Professional Suggestions

Further Recipes To Strive

• Talking of cucumbers, this Mediterranean Quinoa Salad is popping with taste and is the right facet dish for summer season meals. 
• In case you’re searching for a pleasant dressing, or perhaps one thing else to drizzle in your kofta, do that Easy Lemon Tahini Dressing.
• I get it, I can’t cease excited about tzatziki both. Subsequent time you fireplace up the grill check out these Grilled Za’atar Chicken Burgers with Cucumber Mint Tzatziki. 
• Roasted Eggplant with Pomegranate Molasses, Feta and Mint is a Best of Healthy Seasonal Recipes for a purpose, associates! If you recognize, you recognize. 
• This Ground Turkey Enchilada recipe has all the flavour you want, however solely takes 40 minutes of your time.
• Healthy Turkey Chili with Pinto Beans makes your dream of wholesome chili a actuality. Thanks, turkey for having much less saturated fats!
• Turkey Meatloaf is a hearty weeknight meal that hides your veggies and might be meal prepped. What extra may we wish?
• I simply can’t give up Mediterranean delicacies, and when you attempt Roasted Eggplant Salad you gained’t be quitting it anytime quickly both. 
• This 30-minute Greek Orzo Pasta Salad is a superb facet dish for a summer season barbecue, picnic, or cookout!
• Juicy Grilled Greek Boneless Chicken Thighs are made with an irresistible marinade and it’s such a easy summertime recipe!

Thanks a lot for studying. In case you are new right here, you might have considered trying to enroll in my free weekly email newsletter the place I share weeknight meal plans delivered proper to your inbox. Or observe me on Instagram. In case you make this recipe, please come again and go away a star score and evaluate! It is vitally appreciated. Pleased Cooking! ~Katie