These Kofta Meatballs are full of flavor and freshness with parsley, onion, garlic, and cumin. Enjoy with hummus, pita, rice, and vegetable salad.
If you love our grilled Beef Kofta Recipe in the kebab shape, you’ll love these easy kofta meatballs! What we really love about these is you can make them right in the oven. YES, in the oven!
These baked meatballs are quick and easy to make and we love pairing them with other Middle Eastern staples like Shirazi Salad, Israeli salad, hummus, tahini, and pita.
You can also serve them over rice with some fresh Tahini Sauce drizzled over top. They also pair really well with our homemade Falafel Recipe.
Kofta Meatballs Ingredients
- Onion: We prefer yellow or white onion.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic adds a ton of flavor here, we don’t recommend using powder.
- Parsley: Only use fresh, you can also use a combo of parsley and cilantro if preferred. We will use a bit of mint occasionally as well.
- Ground Meat: Two pounds of ground beef, lamb, or a combination of both for a rich taste.
- Cumin, Salt and Pepper: These spices bring warmth and flavor in addition to the fresh ingredients.
How to Make Kofta Meatballs
Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
In a small food processor, finely chop the onion, garlic, and parsley.
Place the ground meat into a large bowl. Add the chopped onion, garlic, and parsley, along with the cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined to ensure the meatballs are tender.
Use a cookie scoop to portion the mixture into meatballs, then roll them between your palms to smooth out.
Arrange the formed kofta meatballs onto the prepared baking sheet.
Cook the meatballs for 20 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
Enjoy your kofta meatballs as desired!
Recipe Tips and Notes
- Avoid overmixing the meat mixture as it can make the meatballs tough.
- Ensure the meatballs are of uniform size for even cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) to ensure they are cooked through but not overdone.
- Feel free to substitute parsley with cilantro or mint for a different flavor profile.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon or allspice for a more complex flavor.
Kofta Meatballs
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Print Pin SaveIngredients
- 1 medium onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 cup fresh parsley
- 2 lbs ground beef can use lamb or even a combination of both
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a small food processor chop up the onion, garlic, and parsley.
- Place the ground beef into a large bowl along with the processed ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Use a cookie scoop to make meatballs and then roll into your palms to smooth out.
- Place the formed kofta meatballs onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the meatballs for 20 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees F (71°C.)
- Serve as desired.
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Notes
- Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- How to freeze meatballs: Place the baked meatballs on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Reheat meatballs in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. You can also use the air fryer for 6-10 minutes.
Nutrition
The nutritional information is automatically calculated and can vary based ingredients and products used. If the nutrition numbers are important for you we recommend calculating them yourself.
the meat turned out so gamey and not well seasoned at all….I’m really sad and am freezing it because I don’t want to waste it. Will figure out what to do with it later.
Sorry to hear that! This recipe is a favorite with many, but sometimes ingredient variations can make a difference. If you’d like, I’m happy to help troubleshoot!