Turkish grill classic · Pan or grill
Izgara Kofte Recipe (Turkish Grilled Meatballs)
Grated onion, squeezed. Knead and rest. Hot grill.
Recipe by Farwa ZeeshanTested in the NineFoods home kitchenIzgara kofte are the small grilled patties of Turkish kofte houses, served with piyaz, peppers and bread. They fall apart or turn dense. The fix is grated onion squeezed dry, a little stale bread for tenderness, kneading until sticky and resting the mix before cooking on a very hot grill.
The 3 laws of izgara kofte
Why this recipe works
Wet onion
Holds the shape.
No binder
Keeps them tender.
Cook at once
Flavours set and meat firms.
Shopping and prep list
Ingredients
Kofte
The NineFoods kofte gauge
Ready to cook?
Press a ball flat.
Method · 3 stages
Step by step
Mix
- Combine all ingredients and knead until sticky. Use the gauge above.
Shape and rest
- Shape small oval patties and chill.
Grill
- Grill or pan fry 3 to 4 minutes per side.
Chef's troubleshooter
What went wrong? Pick the symptom
Why
Wet onion, warm meat.
Fix next time
Squeeze onion and chill.
Why
Over-packed or lean meat.
Fix next time
Use 20% fat and add bread.
Why
Overcooked.
Fix next time
Cook only until juices run clear.
Why
Under-salted.
Fix next time
Fry a test piece.
Swap smart
Ingredient roles and substitutes
| Ingredient | Job in the dish | Swap with |
|---|---|---|
| Lamb and beef | Meat | All beef |
| Stale bread | Tenderness | Breadcrumbs |
| Pul biber | Warmth | Kashmiri chilli |
| Grill | Cooking | Cast iron pan |
After the meal
Serve, store, reheat
Serve with
Piyaz, grilled peppers, tomatoes and bread.
Store
Fridge 3 days; freeze raw 2 months.
Reheat
Hot pan, covered.
How we tested this recipe
Tested in a home kitchen, not a studio
Recipe developed and tested by Farwa Zeeshan, who cooks and tests every NineFoods recipe on a regular home stove.
- Cooked from start to finish with the exact quantities above for 4 servings, using both the metric and US cup measures.
- Every one of the 3 stages was timed at the stove; heat levels and the 'look for' cues are what we saw in the pan.
- The doneness check (ready to cook) and the troubleshooter come from batches that went wrong, and how we fixed them.
- Reheating and storage advice was checked on leftovers, not guessed.
Keep cooking
Related recipes and guides
Quick answers
Izgara Kofte FAQ
What is izgara kofte?
Turkish grilled meat patties.
How do I stop kofte falling apart?
Squeeze the onion and chill the mixture.
What is served with kofte?
Piyaz salad, peppers and bread.
Can I bake kofte?
Yes, at 220 C for 12 minutes.