If you love juicy, flavorful meatballs, then you have to try Turkish kofte! These delicious meatballs are a staple in Turkish cuisine, enjoyed in homes and restaurants across the country. In this blog post, I’ll show you how to make köfte from scratch, different cooking methods (grilling vs. baking), and tips for freezing köfte for easy meal prep.
Whether you call it köfte, kofte, or kofta, this recipe will give you the best authentic Turkish-style meatballs.
What Is Köfte?
Köfte (sometimes spelled kofte or kofta) is a type of Turkish meatball made from ground beef or a mix of beef and lamb, combined with breadcrumbs, spices, and a secret ingredient that makes them extra soft, a bit chewy and juicy! These meatballs are shaped by hand and cooked in various ways—grilled, pan-fried, or baked with potatoes in a delicious tomato sauce.
Köfte is a must-try dish if you’re exploring Turkish cuisine, and it’s perfect for meal prep since you can freeze them and cook whenever you like!
Ingredients for Turkish Kofte Meatballs
To make authentic Turkish köfte, you’ll need:
- 1 kg (2.2 lbs) ground beef (or a mix of 70% beef, 30% lamb)
- 150 g (1.5 cups) breadcrumbs (made from stale bread or store-bought)
- 1 tsp baking soda + 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (for tender köfte!)
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika (optional)
- 1 tsp cumin (optional)
- 1 large onion, grated (without juice!)
Secret Ingredient for Soft, Chewy Köfte
The baking soda + lemon juice trick is what makes these köfte extra soft, tender and chewy! The reaction helps tenderize the meat, making each bite juicy and flavorful. Make sure not to use much then in the recipe, otherwise it might make the mixture bitter.
How to Make Köfte (Step by Step)
Step 1: Prepare the Mixture
- Process stale bread into fine crumbs or use store-bought breadcrumbs.
Mix the baking soda with fresh lemon juice in a small bowl. Let it activate and foam up.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, baking soda mixture, black pepper, and salt. Optionally you can add paprika, and cumin.
- Knead everything together for 4–5 minutes until well combined.
- Pick up the mixture and throw it back into the bowl a few times—this helps the ingredients bind.
Step 2: Rest the Mixture for Maximum Flavor
- Cover and refrigerate the mixture overnight for the best texture and taste. You can also begin to the first step in the morning, rest till afternoon and continue with the recipe. If you’re short on time, let it rest for at least 2 hours.
Step 3: Shape the Kofte
- The next day, add grated onion from the course side of the grater.
- Drain the juice of the onion and discard. Onion juice can make the mixture too wet and difficult to shape. It also has a strong, sharp taste that might overpower the köfte. Plus, the acidity in the juice can darken the mixture and even prevent it from coming together properly. So even though I use whole onion in other kofte recipes it also comes out good, in this recipe we leave it out.
- Knead again, dipping your hand in water occasionally to prevent sticking. We are also using the water to get a playable soft consistency. I used about 1/2 cup of water in total while kneading and shaping.
- Shape the köfte into small oval or round patties, about the size of a small mandarin.
- For İnegöl-style köfte, shape them into longer, cylindrical pieces.
Step 4: Cook the Köfte
There are two traditional ways to cook Turkish köfte:
Method 1: Grilling or Pan-Frying Köfte
- Heat a cast iron griddle or a nonstick pan over medium-high heat.
- Cook the köfte for about 3–4 minutes per side until browned and fully cooked inside.
- Serve with Turkish piyaz (bean salad), fluffy rice pilaf, grilled tomatoes, and peppers.
Method 2: Baked Köfte with Potatoes
- Sauté tomato paste and pepper paste in olive oil. Add garlic, spices, and a little water.
- Slice potatoes into rounds. It is better to have even size of potatoes if you can as the kofte patties.
- Now layer them in a baking dish with köfte overlapping each other. I used round earthenware pot that can fit into my airfryer but you can use any shape you want. Make sure it is deep dish for the sauce.
- Pour the tomato sauce over the top.
- Cover with baking paper and foil and bake at 200°C (400°F) for 20 minutes covered, then 15–20 minutes uncovered.
- Serve hot with fresh bread or a simple salad.
Can You Freeze Köfte? (Meal Prep Tip)
Yes! Köfte is one of the best freezer-friendly Turkish recipes!
To freeze:
- Shape the köfte and arrange them on a tray in a single layer.
- Freeze for 1–2 hours, then transfer them into a freezer bag or container.
- When ready to cook, you can grill or bake them straight from frozen—no need to thaw!
What to Serve with Köfte?
Turkish köfte pairs perfectly with:
✔ Piyaz (Turkish white bean salad)
✔ Rice or bulgur pilaf
✔ Grilled vegetables (tomatoes & peppers)
✔ Shepherd’s salad (Çoban Salata)
✔ Fresh Turkish bread
Here are similar kofte recipes:
Turkish Kofta & Potato In The Oven
Easy Ramadan Turkish Iftar Menu With Koftah & Mashed Potato
Turkish Meatballs Kofta / Kofte With Cheese
Turkish KOFTE & PIDE Kebab: Perfect Iftar Meal for Ramadan
Köfte vs. Kofta: What’s the Difference?
For a restaurant-style mixed grill platter, serve köfte alongside chicken shish, döner, and spicy köfte.
Many people wonder, what’s the difference between “köfte” and “kofta”?
- Köfte is the Turkish version of meatballs, typically made with beef or lamb, flavored with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean spices.
- Kofta is a broader term used in Middle Eastern, South Asian, and North African cuisines, often including lamb, beef, or chicken, and sometimes mixed with rice or bulgur.
If you’re looking for authentic Turkish köfte, this is the best recipe to try!
Try This Turkish Köfte Recipe Today!
Now that you know how to make Turkish köfte at home, give it a try and let me know in the comments which version you prefer—grilled or baked!
If you love Turkish recipes, check out my other freezer-friendly meal prep ideas and traditional dishes.
Don’t forget to share this recipe with friends who love trying new flavors from around the world!
Happy cooking! 😊
