Description
Spicy Beef Armenian Kefta with Tahini & Tzatziki offers bold, balanced flavors by combining juicy, spiced beef kefta skewers with creamy tahini and cool, tangy tzatziki sauce. This authentic Armenian dish blends heat, creaminess, and zest for a satisfying and vibrant meal.
Ingredients
- For the Kefta
- 500g lean ground beef
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, finely chopped
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes or fresh chili
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- For the Tahini Sauce
- 1/3 cup tahini paste
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 small clove garlic, minced
- 2–3 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt to taste
- For the Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup cucumber, grated
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp fresh dill (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine ground beef, parsley, mint, onion, garlic, cumin, paprika, chili, salt, and pepper in a bowl and mix well.
- Wet hands and shape the mixture into long kefta logs around skewers or small patties.
- Grill on medium-high heat for 8–10 minutes, turning until cooked and charred, or pan-fry with olive oil until golden.
- Whisk tahini, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, and water until smooth and creamy.
- Mix yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper. Chill before serving.
- Serve kefta drizzled with tahini, alongside tzatziki, garnished with herbs and lemon wedges.
Notes
- Wet hands when shaping kefta to prevent sticking.
- Chill shaped kefta for 30 minutes to help hold shape.
- Adjust chili level to taste.
- Sauces can be made ahead for better flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Grilling or Pan-frying
- Cuisine: Armenian