Köfte
Vegan Köfte is a delicious twist on the traditional Turkish meatball, made with lentils and spices, offering a hearty and savory flavor. Perfectly paired with a fresh salad or pita, it’s a satisfying lunch option that’s both nutritious and filling.

40 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Turkish
320 kcal
Ingredients
- Red lentils - 150 grams
- Onion - 1 medium, finely chopped
- Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
- Carrot - 1 medium, grated
- Fresh parsley - 1/4 cup, finely chopped
- Bread crumbs - 50 grams
- Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
- Cumin - 1 teaspoon
- Paprika - 1 teaspoon
- Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
- Black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon
- Lemon juice - 1 tablespoon
Steps
- Rinse the red lentils under cold water until the water runs clear, then place them in a pot with 400ml of water and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and simmer for about 15-20 minutes until the lentils are soft and have absorbed most of the water.
- In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat and sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until they are translucent.
- Add the grated carrot, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the skillet, cooking for another 5 minutes until the carrot is tender.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked lentils, sautéed vegetable mixture, chopped parsley, and bread crumbs. Mix well until all ingredients are combined.
- Form the mixture into small balls or patties, about the size of a golf ball.
- Wipe the skillet clean and heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the köfte and cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side until they are golden brown.
- Remove from the skillet and drizzle with lemon juice before serving.
Nutrition
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 15 g
- Carbs: 45 g
- Fiber: 12 g
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Total Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Water: 0.5 L
Health Benefits
- High in protein and fiber, promoting satiety and digestive health.
- Rich in vitamins and minerals from vegetables, supporting overall health.
Tags
TurkishVeganLunch