How to Make Easy and Delicious Restaurant Style Kafta (Kofta) Bowls
These restaurant-style Lebanese Kafta bowls will become a “go-to” favorite recipe the first time you make them! The traditional burger patties are stuffed with middle eastern spices and served on a bed of delicious Lebanese rice pilaf. Add in humus, greek yogurt tzatziki, and a simple salad mixture and you’ll be eating delicious middle eastern cuisine in under 30 minutes.
Note: The links in this post may be affiliate links.
I am addicted to the ground meat Kofta Bowls at our local middle eastern restaurant. In an effort to eat at home direct some of our “eating out funds” to let my family explore other local restaurants, I decided to try my hand at making this tasty Lebanese beef kafta recipe at home.
This version uses a mix of different kinds of spices, lean ground beef, and fresh veggies. There’s no need to worry if you do not have a middle-eastern market near you. All of these basic ingredients for this middle eastern dish can be found at your local grocery store.
What is Kofta vs. Kafta?
This middle eastern meatball recipe is often referred to as Kafta in Lebanon and Kofta in most other middle eastern countries. It can be served on wooden skewers as kofta kebabs or in different ways such as these bowls that showcase humus, a fresh salad mix, rice, and a tangy sauce to tie it all together. This middle easter cuisine traditionally combines a traditional spice blend with a ground beef mixture. You can also use ground turkey and serve this over cauliflower rice if you’d like a more health-conscious version.
What You’ll Need to Make Lebanese Beef Kofta Bowls
For the Kofta
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup yellow onion, diced
- 2 teaspoons of dried parsley
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Greek Yogurt Tzatziki Sauce
- 1/2 cup of Greek Yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
For the Salad
- 1 cup of grape tomatoes, cut in half
- 1/2 English cucumber, diced
- 1/2 of a red onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Additional Items for Kofta Bowl
- Hummus
- Rice Pilaf (I like to use the Near East Brand)
- Pita Bread (optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley leaves to garnish (optional)
How to Make Main Course Kafta Bowls
To Make the Kafta
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the beef, garlic, onion, and spices until well mixed.
- Divide the kafta mixture into 8 portions and shape each into an oblong shape.
- Cook for about 10 minutes in a grill pan over medium-high heat, or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
To Make the Tzatziki Sauce
- Mix together the yogurt, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper until well blended in a small bowl.
To Assemble the Salad
- Place the tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion in a medium-sized bowl. Pour the olive oil over the vegetable mixture and toss until combined.
To Assemble the Bowls
- Divide the rice, salad, and kofta between four bowls. Top with a dollop of hummus and Tzatziki Sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley and a piece of pita bread, if desired.
More Easy Dinner Recipes You’ll Love
- Best Stuffed Firm Bell Pepper Recipe With Ground Beef
- Teen Favorite – One Skillet Southwest Chicken Bowls
- Easy Kid Friendly Chicken Enchiladas
- Cheesy Chicken Green Enchilada Soup
- Quick and Easy Artichoke and Feta Chicken
- 20-Minute Rosemary Chicken
- 15-Minute Everything Bagel Salmon
- Easiest Ever Slow Cooker Mexican Carnitas
- Quick & Easy Spicy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
How to Make Easy and Delicious Restaurant Style Kafta (Kofta) Bowls
Ingredients
For the Kofta
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/3 cup yellow onion diced
- 2 teaspoons of dried parsley
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Greek Yogurt Tzatziki Sauce
- 1/2 cup of Greek Yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
For the Salad
- 1 cup of grape tomatoes cut in half
- 1/2 English cucumber diced
- 1/2 of a red onion diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Additional Items for Kofta Bowl
- Hummus
- Rice Pilaf I like to use the Near East Brand
- Pita Bread optional
- Chopped fresh parsley leaves to garnish optional
Instructions
To Make the Kafta
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the beef, garlic, onion, and spices until well mixed.
- Divide the kafta mixture into 8 portions and shape each into an oblong shape.
- Cook for about 10 minutes in a grill pan over medium-high heat, or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
To Make the Tzatziki Sauce
- Mix together the yogurt, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper until well blended in a small bowl.
To Assemble the Salad
- Place the tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion in a medium-sized bowl. Pour the olive oil over the vegetable mixture and toss until combined.
To Assemble the Bowls
- Divide the rice, salad, and kofta between four bowls. Top with a dollop of hummus and Tzatziki Sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley and a piece of pita bread, if desired.
