Turkey or Lamb Kofta Patties With Cucumber Salad
Juicy spiced patties with a cool cucumber salad. Weeknight-friendly and meal-prep approved.
These kofta-style patties are flexible: use turkey for a lighter version or lamb for deeper flavour. Carbon steel gives them a browned crust without needing a grill. Serve with cucumber salad, yogurt and flatbread, or turn them into rice bowls with herbs and pickles.
Ingredients
- Patties: 500 g ground turkey or lamb
- 1 small onion, grated and squeezed dry
- 2 garlic cloves, grated
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, optional
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley or cilantro
- Cucumber salad: 1 large cucumber, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- To serve: Greek yogurt or tahini sauce, flatbread or rice, extra herbs
Method
1. Mix patty ingredients gently and form into small oval patties.
2. Preheat the pan over medium-high heat. Add a thin layer of oil.
3. Cook patties in batches until browned on both sides and cooked through. Do not crowd the pan.
4. Toss cucumber, tomatoes, lemon, olive oil, salt and pepper.
5. Serve patties with salad, yogurt sauce and flatbread or rice.
Julien Cooking Note
If the patties stick at first, wait. Once a crust forms, they will release more easily.
Variations and Swaps
Make smaller patties for lunch boxes. Use chicken instead of turkey. Add chili flakes or harissa to the mixture.
