Köfte
(Kofta)
Kofta or köfte are walnut-sized fried meatballs, usually made from ground beef or lamb. It is a popular Turkish meze dish that is often prepared for special occasions and cocktail parties, since the meatballs are quite easy to prepare and can be easily consumed with a toothpick.
Köfte come in various degrees of spiciness and in numerous forms - from egg-coated and fried kadin budu to Adana kofte from the south-east of Turkey. In eastern Turkey, the most popular variety is called içli köfte, full of flavor due to large amounts of butter in the filling.
Another interesting variety is called cizbiz kofta, one of the most popular street food items in the country, its name coming from the sound which the thin meat patties make when placed on the grill. Whether fried, stewed, drenched in sauce, or grilled, the variations are virtually infinite and every kofta dish pairs well with a glass of turnip juice and fried potatoes on the side.
Types of Köfte
Recipe variations
İzmir köfte
READY IN 1h 55minAdapted from the Turkish Cuisine With Timeless Recipes gastronomy book, this recipe shows how to prepare İzmir köfte the traditional way — the meatballs and potatoes are fried, then combined with the green peppers and a tomato sauce in a casserole dish and baked.
Traditional Çiğ köfte
READY IN 1hMade with finely minced veal, bulgur, onions, garlic, and select Turkish spices like red pepper flakes, pepper, and tomato paste, the traditional çiğ köfte is the Turkish version of steak tartare. No cooking is required, but the mixture will need a lengthy kneading to get the right texture. The recipe is adapted from the gastronomy book Turkish Cuisine with Timeless Recipes.
Kadınbudu Köfte
READY IN 4h 15minAdapted from the gastronomy book Turkish Cuisine With Timeless Recipes, this recipe shows how to prepare kadınbudu köfte the traditional way.
Ekşili köfte
READY IN 1h 15minAdapted from the gastronomy book Turkish Cuisine With Timeless Recipes, this recipe shows how to prepare ekşili köfte. In this variant, the meatballs are made with mutton, rice, onions, parsley, and pepper, then cooked in broth, which is thickened with a roux made with flour, lemon juice, egg yolks, and water.
Köfte Authentic recipe
Adapted from the Turkish Cuisine With Timeless Recipes gastronomy book, this recipe shows how to prepare İzmir köfte the traditional way — the meatballs and potatoes are fried, then combined with the green peppers and a tomato sauce in a casserole dish and baked.
WHERE TO EAT The best Köfte in the world (according to food experts)
