# Turkish Köfte · Turkish Food Travel

Recipe by turkishfoodtravel.com · original: https://www.turkishfoodtravel.com/2025/02/26/turkish-kofte-meatballs/  
Cuisine: Turkish · Dish: Grills & kebabs  
On Meez: https://meezenplace.app/recipes/turkish-meatballs-kofte-how-to-make-authentic-turkish-k-fte-recipe (with step-by-step Cook Mode)

How to make traditional Turkish kofte from scratch, with both grilling vs. baking, and tips for freezing köfte for easy meal prep.

## Ingredients (serves 4)

- 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 paprika (optional)
- 1 tsp cumin (optional)
- 1 large onion, grated (without juice!)
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1½ tsp salt

## Steps

1. Process stale bread into fine crumbs or use store-bought breadcrumbs
2. Mix the baking soda with fresh lemon juice in a small bowl
3. Let the mixture activate and foam up
4. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, baking soda mixture, black pepper, salt, and optionally paprika and cumin
5. Knead everything together until well combined
6. Pick up the mixture and throw it back into the bowl a few times to help the ingredients bind
7. Cover and refrigerate the mixture overnight for the best texture and taste, or let it rest for at least 2 hours if short on time
8. Add grated onion from the coarse side of the grater
9. Drain the juice of the onion and discard
10. Knead again, dipping your hand in water occasionally to prevent sticking and achieve a playable soft consistency
11. Shape the köfte into small oval or round patties about the size of a small mandarin, or into longer cylindrical pieces for İnegöl-style köfte
12. Heat a cast iron griddle or nonstick pan over medium-high heat
13. Cook the köfte for about 3–4 minutes per side until browned and fully cooked inside
14. Serve with Turkish piyaz (bean salad), fluffy rice pilaf, grilled tomatoes, and peppers

## Good to know

### Storing it

Store cooked köfte in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in a pan until steaming hot.