Smashed Beef Kofta with Cool Cucumber Yogurt Sauce

Name: Smashed Beef Kofta with Cool Cucumber Yogurt Sauce
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Global
Ingredients: 1 pound beef mince; 1 onion, grated; 1 teaspoon ground turmeric; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional; 1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins; 1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped; 1 cup plain unsweetened yogurt; 1 large cucumber, grated; 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped; 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses or balsamic glaze; 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; Salt to taste; Warm pita bread for serving

This is a fast and flavorful take on classic kofta where spiced beef chunks are seared until crispy and served over a refreshing yogurt sauce.

By Enzo81 Kitchen· Global· October 19, 2026

Smashed Beef Kofta with Cool Cucumber Yogurt Sauce

enzo81.xyz

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

15 minutes

Total

30 minutes

Serves

If you love Persian flavors but want something quick for a weeknight, this recipe is a total winner. Instead of rolling perfect meatballs or threading skewers, you just drop rough chunks of spiced beef into a hot pan. This creates jagged, crispy edges that are absolutely delicious and full of texture.

I really like using a blend of warm spices like cinnamon and turmeric to give the beef a deep, savory aroma. The secret is the grated onion in the meat mixture, which keeps everything juicy while it cooks. It is an easy way to get a fantastic meal on the table in no time.

Ingredients

1 pound beef mince
1 onion, grated
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins
1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
1 cup plain unsweetened yogurt
1 large cucumber, grated
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses or balsamic glaze
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Salt to taste
Warm pita bread for serving

8Instructions

1
Prepare the yogurt sauce by combining the grated cucumber, yogurt, and most of the mint in a bowl. Keep this at room temperature while you cook the beef.
2
In a separate large bowl, mix the beef mince, grated onion, turmeric, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper with your hands until well combined.
3
Heat a large non stick pan over medium high heat. Take small handfuls of the meat mixture and drop them into the pan as rough, jagged chunks.
4
Let the beef cook undisturbed for 5 to 7 minutes until the underside is deeply browned and crispy.
5
Flip the chunks carefully and add the cranberries and walnuts to the pan.
6
Cook for another minute or two until the meat is browned on all sides and cooked through.
7
Stir salt into your yogurt sauce, then spread it across a large serving platter.
8
Pile the hot beef mixture over the yogurt, drizzle with pomegranate molasses and olive oil, and garnish with the remaining mint before serving with warm pita.

Tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To serve, try stuffing the meat and sauce into a pita pocket or using the bread to scoop it up right off the plate.

#Dinner #Quick #Beef #Healthy #Comfort Food

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