# Grilled Kofta at Home: An Easy, Reliable Recipe

> Kofta is minced meat kneaded with onion, garlic, parsley and spices plus breadcrumbs for structure, shaped onto skewers, and grilled for 10–15 minutes, turning, until browned all over. Meat with some fat in it is what keeps it from drying out.

**Egyptian Cuisine · 51 min · 6 servings · 330 kcal per serving**

Grilled kofta is one of the most familiar dishes in Arab cooking, and one of the easiest to get right once you know two things: how much to knead, and how much fat the mince needs.

## Ingredients

- 1 kg — minced meat
- 1 — large onion, very finely chopped
- 3 cloves — garlic, chopped
- 1 tsp — salt
- ½ tsp — black pepper
- ½ tsp — mixed spice
- ¼ tsp — cinnamon
- ½ cup — finely chopped parsley
- ¼ cup — chopped coriander
- 1 tsp — paprika
- ½ cup — breadcrumbs, or 2 tbsp flour

### Optional marinade
- juice of one lemon
- 2 tbsp — olive or vegetable oil
- 1 tsp — cumin

## Method

1. **The mixture** — In a deep bowl, combine the minced meat with the chopped onion, garlic, parsley and coriander if using. Add the salt, black pepper, mixed spice and cinnamon, and mix well. Add the breadcrumbs or flour to bind it, then knead the mixture thoroughly for five minutes.
2. **Shaping** — Divide the mixture into small balls or fingers, whichever you prefer. To shape it on skewers, press the mixture around wooden or metal skewers.
3. **Marinating (optional)** — For extra flavour, mix the lemon juice with the olive oil and cumin, coat the kofta, and leave it in the fridge for 10–15 minutes.
4. **Grilling** — Heat the grill or coals well. Put the kofta on the grill, or in the oven at a medium heat. Grill for 10–15 minutes, turning occasionally, until cooked through and browned on all sides.
5. **Serving** — Serve the kofta with rice or flatbread, alongside tahini sauce or a green salad.

## Tips

- To avoid dry kofta, make sure the mince has some fat in it.
- Metal or wooden skewers give the shape that holds together on the grill.
- Don't compress the meat too hard while shaping — that's what dries it out.
- A handful of chopped walnuts or almonds worked into the mixture adds a distinctive note.

## FAQ

### Can I use minced chicken?
Yes — minced chicken works, or a mix of chicken and beef.

### Can I cook kofta in the oven?
Yes, at 180°C for about twenty minutes, until cooked through.

### How do I know when it's done?
Cut one open — it should be cooked evenly all the way through with no pink centre.

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Source: https://hanakoleah.com/en/egyptian-cuisine/grilled-kofta-kebab-recipe
Edited by: Marwa Mohamed
Last updated: 2026-09-12