Smashed Beef Kofta with Cool Cucumber Yogurt Sauce
These quick, crispy, spiced beef chunks are served over a cooling yogurt sauce for a perfect weeknight meal.
recipesbynani.comThis dish is a fun, modern take on traditional Persian kofta. Instead of messing around with skewers, you just drop rough chunks of spiced beef right into the pan to get those delicious, crispy edges that everyone loves. It is fast, hearty, and packed with wonderful flavor.
The magic really happens when you pile the hot, spiced meat onto a bed of cold, creamy cucumber yogurt. If you have time, drizzle a little pomegranate molasses over the top before serving. It adds a lovely tartness that ties everything together beautifully.
🧺 Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, grated
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries or raisins
- 1/3 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 large cucumber, grated
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
- Salt to taste
- Pomegranate molasses for drizzling
- Warm pita bread for serving
👩🍳Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, combine the yogurt, grated cucumber, and half of the fresh mint. Set this aside, but wait to add the salt until right before you serve to keep the sauce nice and thick.
- 2
In a separate large bowl, combine the ground beef, grated onion, turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and a pinch of salt. Mix well with your hands.
- 3
Heat the olive oil in a large non stick pan over medium high heat.
- 4
Take handfuls of the meat mixture and drop rough, raggedy chunks into the hot pan. Aim for pieces about an inch in size and do not worry about making them look pretty.
- 5
Let the meat sear undisturbed for 5 to 7 minutes until the undersides are a deep, dark golden brown.
- 6
Flip the chunks over and add the dried cranberries and chopped walnuts to the pan. Cook for another minute or two until the meat is browned on all sides and cooked through.
- 7
Stir a pinch of salt into your yogurt sauce and spread it onto a serving platter. Pile the hot beef, cranberries, and walnuts right on top.
- 8
Finish with a drizzle of pomegranate molasses, the remaining mint, and serve immediately with warm pita bread.
💡 Tips
Store any leftover meat and yogurt sauce in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to two days. This dish is great for leftovers, just be sure to reheat the beef gently in a pan and serve it over a fresh scoop of cold yogurt.
Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.
You might also like
Quick Za'atar Beef and Greens Skillet
This flavorful skillet meal combines savory ground beef with aromatic za'atar and fresh greens for an easy dinner.
Creamy White Bolognese Pasta
A rich and comforting white meat sauce that feels fancy but is easy to make at home.
Classic American Chop Suey
This is a cozy, hearty comfort food classic that tastes even better as leftovers the next day.
Classic New Orleans Shrimp Po' Boys
These famous crispy fried shrimp sandwiches are stuffed with fresh toppings and a tangy remoulade sauce.