Köfteci Yusuf
Köfteci Yusuf is a flavorful Turkish dish featuring spiced meatballs made from a blend of ground beef and lamb, served with a side of aromatic rice and fresh vegetables. This high protein lunch is both satisfying and packed with traditional Turkish spices.

30 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Turkish
600 kcal
Ingredients
- Ground beef - 200 grams
- Ground lamb - 100 grams
- Onion - 1 medium, finely chopped
- Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
- Parsley - 2 tablespoons, chopped
- Cumin - 1 teaspoon
- Paprika - 1 teaspoon
- Salt - 1 teaspoon
- Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
- Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
- Rice - 150 grams
- Water - 300 ml
- Tomato - 1 medium, diced
- Cucumber - 1 medium, diced
- Lemon - 1, cut into wedges
Steps
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground lamb, chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until fully combined.
- Shape the mixture into small meatballs, approximately the size of a golf ball.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally until they are browned and cooked through.
- While the meatballs are cooking, rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. In a saucepan, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, then add the rice and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
- Add 300 ml of water to the rice, bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to low heat, cooking for 15 minutes or until the rice is tender and water is absorbed.
- In a small bowl, combine the diced tomato and cucumber to create a fresh salad. Season with a pinch of salt and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
- Once the meatballs are cooked and the rice is ready, serve the meatballs alongside the rice and fresh salad. Garnish with lemon wedges for added flavor.
Nutrition
- Calories: 600
- Protein: 38 g
- Carbs: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
- Total Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Water: 0.3 L
Health Benefits
- High in protein, which supports muscle growth and repair.
- Contains essential vitamins and minerals from fresh vegetables.
Tags
TurkishHigh ProteinLunch