Spiced Beef Koftas with Tzatziki and Warm Pita

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-02 · Updated 2026-08-02

Juicy and fragrant ground beef koftas seasoned with cumin and coriander, served alongside cooling cucumber tzatziki and soft warm pita bread. This Middle Eastern beef recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs ground beef, ground cumin, and ground coriander for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Build a week of meals around this recipe" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup cucumber, grated and drained
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
• 4 pita breads

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
2. Step 2: Shape the mixture into eight evenly sized oval koftas about 3 inches long.
3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the koftas and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until nicely browned and cooked through.
4. Step 4: While the koftas cook, make tzatziki by stirring together 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup grated cucumber (well drained), 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill. Season with a pinch of salt.
5. Step 5: Warm 4 pita breads in a dry skillet or the oven wrapped in foil for 2-3 minutes.
6. Step 6: Serve the hot koftas on plates with a dollop of tzatziki and warm pita on the side for assembling wraps.