Turkish Köfte – Low Fat and delicious

Have you ever tried Köfte? Köfte is often served as part of Turkish tapas known as Meze, but we made it with tabbouleh and used the leftovers for foodprep. Köfte can also be pretty fat intensive, so we made a lean turkish köfte recipe. Hope ou like it!

Köfte is usually made on minced lamb meat which gives it a different, fuller and more interesting taste than normal minced meat but also more fat. since we wanted to reduce the fat, so we made it on (minced) 95/5 ground beef.

What you need for Turkish Köfte: 

• 1 Red onion
• 1-2 Chili
• 1 Bell pepper
• Fresh parsley
• 3-4 Garlic cloves
• Salt and pepper 
• 1tbsp Ground cumin
• 400g Minced 95/5 ground meat

What to do: 

• Cut up onion, chili, garlic, parsley, salt/ pepper, cumin and bell pepper in small pieces
• Blend it all together with the meat
• Form sausages
• Put the pan on a low heat, add a fat source like butter, or non-stick cooking spray and heat up to medium heat
• Add the sausages to the pan and cook on all sides, it is important not to burn them

How to serve: 

A lean Turkish köfte can be served as part of the meze, as a side dish, or stand-alone. We had them with tabbouleh, but have also had it with meze. It was delicious both times, so here you just have to figure out what you want. 

Here’s a list of ideas on how to serve Turkish Köfte, inspired by both traditional and modern culinary approaches:

1. Köfte Sandwich:
   • Place grilled köfte inside a pita or crusty bread.
   • Add sliced tomatoes, lettuce, onions, and a drizzle of yogurt or tahini sauce.
2. Köfte Wrap:
   • Use a soft lavash or tortilla wrap.
   • Add köfte, shredded cabbage, pickled turnips, and a dash of sumac.
3. Köfte Salad:
   • Toss mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion in a light vinaigrette.
   • Top with grilled köfte and crumbled feta cheese.
4. Köfte Pizza:
   • Use a flatbread or pizza base.
   • Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce, add sliced köfte, bell peppers, onions, and mozzarella. Bake until golden.
5. Köfte and Rice:
   • Serve köfte over a bed of buttered rice or bulgur pilaf.
   • Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with a side of grilled vegetables.
6. Köfte Kebabs:
   • Skewer köfte with bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes.
   • Grill and serve with a side of tzatziki or garlic yogurt sauce.
7. Köfte in Tomato Sauce:
   • Simmer köfte in a rich tomato and bell pepper sauce with a hint of paprika and cumin.
   • Serve hot with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
8. Köfte Tacos:
   • Fill taco shells with köfte, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a drizzle of spicy harissa mayo.
9. Köfte Sliders:
   • Serve mini köfte patties in slider buns.
   • Top with a slice of tomato, lettuce, and a dollop of mint yogurt sauce.
10. Köfte Soup:
    • Prepare a hearty lentil or chickpea soup.
    • Add bite-sized köfte and simmer until cooked. Garnish with fresh coriander.
11. Köfte with Eggplant:
    • Layer grilled slices of eggplant with köfte.
    • Drizzle with a tahini sauce and sprinkle with pomegranate seeds for a burst of flavor.
12. Köfte Casserole:
    • Layer köfte, thinly sliced potatoes, and bell peppers in a baking dish.
    • Pour over a tomato sauce, sprinkle with cheese, and bake until bubbly.
13. Köfte Stuffed Vegetables:
    • Hollow out bell peppers or zucchinis and stuff them with a mixture of köfte and rice.
    • Bake until the vegetables are tender.
14. Köfte and Hummus Plate:
    • Spread a generous layer of hummus on a plate.
    • Place grilled köfte on top, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with sumac or za’atar.
15. Köfte Biryani:
    • A fusion idea where köfte is layered with fragrant basmati rice, saffron, and spices, then cooked to perfection.

These ideas showcase the versatility of Turkish Köfte, making it suitable for various occasions, from casual gatherings to formal dinners. Enjoy experimenting with these serving suggestions!

Macros: 

Fat is high in minced lamb meat, about 20-25g per 100g. As we mentioned you can reduce this by using minced meat from beef instead. The peppers add about 15-20g of carbs, but other than that it’s not that carb-heavy. In a whole batch, there is about 76 g of protein. 

Happy cooking and enjoy!