Mouthwatering Tahini Kofta Recipe

Introduction

This Mouthwatering Tahini Kofta is a flavorful Middle Eastern-inspired dish featuring spiced ground meat baked with tender potatoes and topped with a creamy tahini sauce. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for a comforting family meal.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef or lamb
• 1 small onion, grated
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2–3 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt to season
• 1/3 cup tahini
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/3 cup water (plus more if needed)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt to taste (for tahini sauce)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly oil a baking dish.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, grated onion, minced garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
3. Step 3: Shape the mixture into oval logs and arrange them evenly in the prepared baking dish.
4. Step 4: Toss the sliced potatoes with olive oil and a pinch of salt, then arrange them around and over the kofta in the dish.
5. Step 5: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
6. Step 6: While baking, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, water, and salt in a bowl to form the sauce. Add more water if you want a thinner consistency.
7. Step 7: Remove the foil and pour the tahini sauce evenly over the kofta and potatoes.
8. Step 8: Return the dish to the oven uncovered and bake for another 15–20 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling.
9. Step 9: Serve hot with rice, flatbread, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Tips & Variations

• Use lamb for a richer flavor or beef for a milder taste.
• Add a pinch of chili flakes to the kofta mixture for some heat.
• Swap potatoes for sweet potatoes or carrots for a different twist.
• If you prefer, grill the kofta instead of baking for a smokier flavor.
• For a nutty touch, sprinkle toasted pine nuts over the finished dish.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until warmed through. The tahini sauce may thicken in the fridge; stir in a little water or lemon juice to loosen it before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the kofta ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the kofta mixture and shape the logs a few hours in advance. Keep them refrigerated until ready to bake.

Is tahini sauce gluten-free?

Yes, tahini sauce is naturally gluten-free, but always check the tahini brand to ensure no cross-contamination.

Mouthwatering Tahini Kofta Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 120 reviews

This Mouthwatering Tahini Kofta recipe combines seasoned ground beef or lamb kofta with thinly sliced baked potatoes, all topped with a creamy, tangy tahini sauce. Baked to perfection, this harmonious dish offers a satisfying Middle Eastern-inspired meal that’s perfect served with rice, flatbread, or a fresh salad.

• Author: Leo
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Kofta:

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef or lamb
• 1 small onion, grated
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Tray Bake:

• 2–3 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt to season

Tahini Sauce:

• 1/3 cup tahini
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/3 cup water (plus more if needed)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly oil a baking dish to prevent sticking.
2. Mix and Shape Kofta: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef or lamb with grated onion, minced garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly, then shape the mixture into oval logs and arrange them evenly in the prepared baking dish.
3. Prep Potatoes: Toss the thinly sliced potatoes in olive oil and a pinch of salt. Arrange the potato slices around and gently over the kofta logs in the baking dish.
4. Bake Covered: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, allowing the kofta and potatoes to cook through and flavors to meld.
5. Prepare Tahini Sauce: While baking, whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, water, and salt until smooth. Adjust the water quantity to achieve the desired sauce consistency.
6. Add Sauce and Continue Baking: Remove the foil from the baking dish and pour the prepared tahini sauce evenly over the kofta and potatoes.
7. Finish Baking Uncovered: Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for another 15 to 20 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling.
8. Serve: Serve the tahini kofta hot, accompanied with rice, flatbread, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Notes

• You can use either ground beef or lamb according to your preference.
• If desired, fresh herbs like mint can be added to the kofta mixture for extra flavor.
• The tahini sauce thickness can be adjusted by adding more or less water.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated; the sauce may thicken and can be thinned with a little water when reheating.
• For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the kofta mix.

Keywords: Tahini Kofta, baked kofta, Middle Eastern recipe, ground beef kofta, lamb kofta, tahini sauce, tray bake, oven-baked kofta