Fire up the grill and dive into bold, savory flavors with these Ground Turkey Kofta Skewers! Blend aromatic spices, fresh herbs, and lean ground turkey to create juicy, tender skewers that are perfect for grilling or pan-searing. Shape the mixture around wooden or metal skewers for an easy-to-eat, protein-packed dish that’s both healthy and satisfying. Serve these koftas with warm flatbread, tzatziki, cucumbers and tomatoes, for a complete meal that’s bursting with Middle Eastern-inspired flair.
This recipe was developed in partnership with Manitoba Turkey Producers.
Serve these delicious kofta skewers with my Cheesy Cabbage Steak or Barley Tabbouleh Salad. Discover other recipes to use ground turkey like my Turkey Burger Sliders Recipe and Turkey Burger Salad.
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What are Koftas?
Koftas are seasoned meatballs or patties found in many Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Mediterranean cuisines. Typically made from ground meat—such as beef, lamb, or turkey—mixed with spices, herbs, onions, and sometimes breadcrumbs or rice, kofta can be grilled, baked, fried, or simmered in sauces. Their flavor and texture vary by region, but they’re always rich, aromatic, and deeply satisfying.
Kofta Skewers Ingredients
Find below the list of ingredients used in my Ground Turkey Kofta Skewers.
- Ground Turkey
- Panko Crumbs
- Fresh Parsley
- Red Onion
- Smoked Paprika
- Cumin
- Onion Powder
- Cinnamon
- Salt
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make Turkey Kofta Skewers
- Combine in a large bowl, the ground turkey, chopped parsley and onion, and panko crumbs. Sprinkle in the onion powder, salt, cinnamon, cumin, and smoke paprika. Mix until all ingredients are well distributed and mixture is smooth. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- While the meat mixture is resting in the refrigerator, prepare the skewers. If using wooden skewers, place them in glass 9"x13" dish of water, or something large enough to accommodate the skewer sticks. Soak for the same 30 minutes. If using metal skewers, you can skip this step.
- Divide the the meat mixture into 6 equal parts. Take one of those pieces and shape into a ball. Insert a skewer, pointed side first, into the ball of meat. Shape the ball around the end of the stick to form a 6 inch log, and place on a plate. Repeat with the other portions of meat.
- Prepare and heat up your grill or cooking surface, to 350F. Place the turkey kofta skewers on the grill. If using wooden skewers, make sure that the element under the exposed wooden section is not lit. Cook for 5-7 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reaches 165F.
Remove the cooked Ground Turkey Kofta Skewers from the grill, onto a clean plate.
How to Serve Turkey Kofta Skewers
Classic Platter Style (Middle Eastern-Inspired)
- Warm pita or flatbreads
- Hummus or baba ghanoush
- Tzatziki or garlic yogurt sauce
- Tomato-cucumber-onion salad with lemon and olive oil
- Pickled vegetables or olives
Garnish with: Fresh parsley, sumac, and a squeeze of lemon
Rice Bowl Format
- Fragrant basmati or jasmine rice
- Orzo or couscous with herbs and lemon
Add-ons: - Roasted veggies (zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant)
- A drizzle of tahini or chili garlic sauce
- A soft-boiled egg or grilled halloumi (optional)
Light & Fresh Kofta Salad
- A bed of greens (arugula, romaine, or mixed herbs)
- With cherry tomatoes, radishes, cucumber, and red onion
Top with: - A dollop of yogurt dressing or a lemon-olive oil vinaigrette
- Toasted pine nuts or crispy chickpeas
Party Appetizer Style
- Mini skewers or toothpicks
- With dipping sauces like harissa mayo, tahini, or mint chutney
On the side: - Mini naan or lettuce wraps
- Small cups of tabbouleh or quinoa salad
Substitutions and Variations
- Meat - Replace the ground turkey with ground chicken, beef, or lamb.
- Spices - Add spices like ginger, coriander, garlic, sumac, or even a Falafel spice mix if you have that on hand.
- Herbs - Replace half of the parsley in the kofta with cilantro if you have.
Storing the grilled Kofta Skewers
Let the grilled Ground turkey Kofta Skewers cool completely before storing. Place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in foil or plastic wrap. Keep them in the fridge for up to 2 to 3 days. Remove the meat from the skewers if freezing. Wrap each piece in plastic wrap or foil to protect from freezer burn. Put the wrapped koftas in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label and date them, and use within 2 to 3 months. Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10 to 15 minutes until hot. Warm them in a skillet with a little oil for a crispy outside. Microwave in short bursts, covering with a damp paper towel to keep them moist.
Recipe
Ground Turkey Kofta Skewers
Equipment
- 6 Skewers Wood or Metal
Ingredients
Turkey Kofta Meat Mixture
- 1 pound Ground Turkey
- ⅓ cup Fresh Parsley finely chopped
- ¼ cup Red Onion finely chopped
- ⅓ cup Panko Crumbs
- ½ teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Cumin Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
Instructions
- Combine in a large bowl, the ground turkey, chopped parsley and onion, and panko crumbs. Sprinkle in the onion powder, salt, cinnamon, cumin, and smoke paprika. Mix until all ingredients are well distributed and mixture is smooth. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.1 pound Ground Turkey, ⅓ cup Fresh Parsley, ¼ cup Red Onion, ⅓ cup Panko Crumbs, ½ teaspoon Smoked Paprika, ½ teaspoon Cumin Powder, ¼ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon, 1 teaspoon Salt, 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- While the meat mixture is resting in the refrigerator, prepare the skewers. If using wooden skewers, place them in glass 9"x13" dish of water, or something large enough to accommodate the skewer sticks. Soak for the same 30 minutes. If using metal skewers, you can skip this step.
- Divide the the meat mixture into 6 equal parts. Take one of those pieces and shape into a ball. Insert a skewer, pointed side first, into the ball of meat. Shape the ball around the end of the stick to form a 6 inch log, and place on a plate. Repeat with the other portions of meat.
- Prepare and heat up your grill or cooking surface, to 350F. Place the turkey kofta skewers on the grill. If using wooden skewers, make sure that the element under the exposed wooden section is not lit. Cook for 5-7 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reaches 165F.
- Remove the cooked Ground Turkey Kofta Skewers from the grill, onto a clean plate. Serve on pita breads with tzatziki sauce, ajvar, chopped tomatoes and cucumbers, for a delicious and flavor packed meal.
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