Urfa Kebab - Turkish Ground Lamb Kebab

5 from 1 vote

Urfa Lamb Kebab is a tender and delicious Turkish dish made from ground lamb mixed with red pepper paste and a few spices.

Prep Time15

Cook Time15

Total Time30

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Turkish

Diet: Gluten Free, Low Lactose

Servings: people

Calories: 559kcal

Place the ground lamb in a large bowl. Add red pepper paste, salt, black pepper, and paprika.
Mix everything together for at least 5–10 minutes until the meat becomes sticky and holds together.
Cover and let it rest in the fridge for 1–2 hours so the flavors develop.
Divide the lamb kofte mixture into four equal parts.
Wet your hands to prevent sticking while handling the minced meat. Take one part of the mixture then shape it around the skewer to form a flattened köfte kebab. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
Preheat a charcoal or gas grill to medium-high heat.
Grill for 8 to 10 minutes per side, turning carefully to avoid breaking them.
You can also use a gas BBQ, a griddle pan, or oven to cook your Urfa kebabs. On a BBQ, they take about 15 to 20 minutes, 10 to 12 minutes on a griddle pan, and 18 to 20 minutes in an oven preheated to 200°C (392℉).
Serve them while still hot with lavash or pita bread, grilled tomatoes and peppers, sumac onion salad, and a side of yogurt or Shawarma White Sauce.

Use fresh lamb – The fresher the meat, the better the taste.
Mix thoroughly – Kneading the meat well helps it stick to the skewers.
Chill before cooking – This keeps the kebabs firm and easy to handle.
Control the heat – Cooking over medium-high heat ensures a good char without drying out the meat.
Make sure to turn the kebabs a few times to ensure all the sides are cooked equally.
Have a bowl of water with you while handling and molding the minced meat around the skewer to form a flattened kofte kebab.