Baked Kofta Patties with Tahini Sauce
These baked kofta patties with tahini sauce are a lighter, oven-baked take on a classic Middle Eastern–inspired dish. Juicy, spiced beef or lamb patties are baked until tender and served with a creamy, lemony tahini sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or healthy bowls, this recipe delivers bold flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or lamb 80/20 preferred
- 1 small onion finely grated or minced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley finely chopped
- Seasonings & Flavor Base
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Pantry Staples & Sauce
- Olive oil for greasing pan
- Tahini Sauce
- ½ cup tahini
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ¼ –½ cup water as needed
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep
- Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with olive oil.
- Make the Kofta Mixture
- In a large bowl, combine ground meat, onion, garlic, parsley, cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
- Mix gently just until combined—do not overmix.
- Shape the Patties
- Form mixture into small oval or round patties, about ½-inch thick.
- Arrange evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, flipping halfway, until patties are lightly browned and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Make the Tahini Sauce
- While patties bake, whisk tahini, lemon juice, and salt.
- Slowly whisk in water, a little at a time, until smooth and pourable.
- Rest & Serve
- Let kofta patties rest for 5 minutes.
- Drizzle generously with tahini sauce and garnish with extra parsley if desired.
Notes
- Grated onion keeps the patties extra juicy.
- Avoid thick patties to ensure even cooking.
- Tahini sauce thickens as it sits—add water to loosen if needed.