If you are a big fan of Kufta and Tahini, why not combine them into one dish? You heard it right! You now have the chance to enjoy the yummiest Kufta bil Tahiniye (Beef kufta with Tahini Sauce), a traditional Middle Eastern dish made with beef meatballs seasoned with parsley, onions, and aromatic spices, arranged in a baking tray with slices of potatoes and cooked in the oven in lots of creamy, garlicky, lemony tahini sauce.
Looking at this tangy dish will make you wonder about the time it takes to be ready. You don’t have to worry! This is an easy-to-make recipe that takes only a few minutes to prepare but keeps you full all day.
The Mighty Kufta in Tahini
Kofta in Tahini, The Best Combo Ever
Food evokes memories, doesn’t it? When I first hear the word “Kufta,” it takes me back to my childhood and the different versions of Kufta placed at the center of the table. However, Kufta Bil Tahiniye was always the star dish of our dinner.
Tahini has a rich, nutty, earthy flavor that complements the tartness of fresh lemon juice. The sauce may appear runny at first, but as it rests, it will thicken significantly.
A Pool of Tahini
What To Serve With Kofta Bil Tahiniye
Kufta has often proven to be an excellent option when you run out of ideas as a cook or when you have guests coming over on short notice; since it has an endless list of food to serve with.
You can serve this Kufta bil Tahiniye with some fluffy rice, Tabbouli Salad Recipe (Tabbouleh), a bowl of salad, or some warm pita bread, and enjoy dipping the bread into the creamy, smooth sauce.
A Taste You Will Fall in Love With
Top Tips for the most delicious Kufta Bil Tahiniye
One of the tricks I learned is to put the Tahini in a pot, bring it to a boil, and then pour it over the Kufta. This will make the tahini sauce smoother.
Just keep in mind that Tahini might thicken after cooling. If that’s the case, you can quickly pour some warm water on top of it once reheated.
The Kufta mixture may not stick together if there is too much moisture or oil in the meat mixture. To fix that, you may either use maize flour, breadcrumbs, or a whisked egg to bind it better.
Use a regular skillet if you don’t have an ovenproof one, then when it’s time to bake them, move the Kuftas to a lined baking sheet.
The Star Dish of Your Dinner
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Cover the pan with foil brushed with olive oil to keep the Koftas delicate, juicy and prevent them from drying out too quickly.
If it works for you, you can replace the beef with lamb or use a mixture of half beef half lamb.
Store for up to three days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It can be heated up in a microwave for one minute on high. Alternately, place it in a skillet over medium-low heat, cover it with a lid, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, or until thoroughly warmed.
Tahini Lovers, This One Is For You
Ingredients You Will Need In This Recipe
To prepare Kufta bil Tahiniye, you will need the following ingredients:
Lean beef
Parsley
Yellow onion
Roma tomatoes
Garlic cloves
Olive oil
Russet potatoes
Turmeric
Seasoning: 7 spices, coriander powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt.
For the Sauce
Tahini
Water
Lemon juice
Salt to taste
Yogurt
Taste Different Things in One Platter
Steps to Prep
First, peel and slice the potatoes into rounds or halves.
Then, fry until they are golden (you can air fry them too).
When it’s done, set them aside.
In a food processor, combine the tomato, onion, garlic and parsley, and process until they are chunky.
Next, add those to the beef and then add all the spices and mix.
Once mixed, shape the beef into patties or fingers and add them to your baking sheet along with the potatoes.
Finally, bake covered at 400 for 25 minutes.
How to prepare the Tahini Sauce?
First, to prepare the tahini sauce, into your food processor add the tahini, yogurt, water, salt, and lemon juice.
Next, process until a smooth sauce forms and pour over the baked beef and potatoes.
Then, return to the oven for another 10-15 minutes.
Sprinkle It with Tasty Pomegranate
Other Must-Try Recipes:
Meat Stuffed Pitas (Palestinian Arayes)
Dawood Basha (Kufta and Potato Stew)
Tender Middle Eastern Style Beef Shawarma
Traditional Palestinian Musakhan Recipe
If you’ve tried this recipe, don’t forget to rate it and leave a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience. You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Middle Eastern Kufta Bil Tahiniye
Ingredients
- 1 pound 80/20 lean beef
- ½ cup parsley
- ½ yellow onion
- 1½ large Roma tomatoes
- 5 garlic cloves
- 1½ teaspoons 7 spice
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- pinch turmeric optional
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 large russet potatoes peeled
How to Prepare the Sauce:
- ¾ cup tahini
- 1¼ cups water
- 2 lemons juice
- salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons yogurt
Instructions
- Peel and slice the potatoes into rounds or halves, then fry them until they are golden (you can air fry them).
- Once they are done, set them aside.
- In a food processor, combine the tomato, onion, garlic and parsley, and process until chunky.
- Add those to the beef and then add all the spices and mix.
- Shape the beef into patties or fingers and add them to your baking sheet along with the potatoes.
- Bake covered at 400 for 25 minutes.
How to Prepare the Tahini sauce:
- Into your food processor, add the tahini, yogurt, water, salt and lemon juice.
- Process until a smooth sauce forms and pour it over the baked beef and potatoes.
- Return to the oven for another 10-15 minutes.
Notes
- Add more water if you want your sauce to be thinner.
- For a smoother Tahini sauce, put the Tahini in a pot, bring it to a boil, and then pour it over the Kufta.
- Tahini can easily thicken once cooled off, so just add a few drops of water over it once reheated.
- To let the Kufta mixture stick together, you can use maize flour, breadcrumbs, or a whisked egg to bind it better.
Made this today and my family loved it ❤
We tried this recipe and I don’t know if I will ever eat Kufta the same way again! The pine nuts and everything else was just perfect!
I have made this dinner for years and wanted to try a different way and followed this recipe and it was a hit. The flavors were great and very easy to follow.
Lovely recipe! A very comforting meal.
Easy to make and delicious. I also added some pomogranite molasses to the sauce for a little sweet flavor.
So good! Thanks for sharing!