Çiğ Köfte is a beloved Turkish dish traditionally made with raw ground beef or lamb, mixed with fine bulgur, fresh herbs, and spices. This rich, savory dish has a bold flavor and a slightly spicy kick, making it a popular appetizer or snack. In this traditional version, meat is kneaded with bulgur and spices to create a unique texture, served with fresh lettuce leaves and lemon wedges for a refreshing bite.
Servings: 4-6
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 250g (9 oz) lean ground beef or lamb (fresh and very high quality)
- 1/2 cups fine bulgur wheat (köftelik bulgur)
- 1 onion, finely grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons red pepper paste (Turkish biber salçası)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon pul biber (Turkish red pepper flakes) or cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup cold water (or as needed)
- 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses (optional, for extra tang)
- 1 bunch fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 bunch fresh green onions, finely chopped
- Fresh lettuce leaves (for serving)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
- Pomegranate molasses (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Soak the Bulgur: Place the fine bulgur wheat in a large mixing bowl. Add about 1/4 cup of water and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Let the bulgur sit for 10 minutes to soften.
- Prepare the Meat: Ensure your ground beef or lamb is of the freshest and highest quality, as it will be consumed raw. Trim any excess fat from the meat and make sure it’s very finely ground.
- Mix the Meat with Bulgur: Add the ground meat to the softened bulgur. Mix well by hand, ensuring the meat and bulgur are evenly combined.
- Add the Spices and Pastes: To the meat and bulgur mixture, add the grated onion, minced garlic, tomato paste, red pepper paste, cumin, paprika, pul biber, and salt. Knead the mixture thoroughly with your hands, working the ingredients into the meat and bulgur until everything is well incorporated. Continue kneading for about 10 minutes to help the flavors blend and the texture soften.
- Add Olive Oil and Pomegranate Molasses: Drizzle the olive oil and pomegranate molasses (if using) over the mixture. Continue kneading for another 5 minutes, ensuring the mixture reaches a smooth and cohesive consistency. Add cold water as needed to achieve the right texture — the mixture should be soft but not too wet.
- Fold in Fresh Herbs: Add the finely chopped parsley and green onions to the mixture, and gently fold them in until evenly distributed.
- Shape the Çiğ Köfte: Wet your hands slightly to prevent sticking. Take small portions of the mixture and shape them into small oval or oblong patties, squeezing lightly with your fingers to create indentations. Repeat until all the mixture is used.
- Serve: Arrange the çiğ köfte on a serving platter. Serve with fresh lettuce leaves, lemon wedges, and optional pomegranate molasses. To eat, wrap a piece of çiğ köfte in a lettuce leaf, squeeze lemon juice over it, and enjoy!
Things to Consider
- Meat Quality: Since this dish uses raw meat, it’s essential to use very fresh, high-quality beef or lamb. Ideally, ask your butcher to grind it specifically for çiğ köfte.
- Safety Tip: If you’re concerned about consuming raw meat, this recipe can be made with cooked ground meat instead. Lightly cook the meat over low heat, then follow the rest of the steps.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of pul biber and red pepper paste based on your preference. For a milder version, you can use sweet paprika instead of spicy varieties.
Tips
- Kneading the Mixture: The longer you knead the mixture, the better the texture will be. This helps the bulgur absorb the flavors and the meat blend seamlessly with the spices.
- Serving Ideas: Çiğ köfte is traditionally served with fresh lettuce, mint leaves, and lemon wedges. You can also serve it with thin lavash bread or pita bread.
- Storage: Çiğ köfte is best eaten fresh, but you can refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Be sure to cover it well to prevent drying out.
This Traditional Turkish Çiğ Köfte with Meat recipe brings the authentic flavors of Turkish cuisine to your table, offering a rich and flavorful experience. Whether you serve it as an appetizer or a snack, this dish is sure to impress with its unique taste and texture.
Afiyet olsun!