Beef Kofta with Roasted Pepper Dip is a vibrant, flavorful dish that combines juicy, spiced beef kofta with a creamy, smoky roasted pepper dip. This dish is a delightful blend of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors, making it an excellent choice for a flavorful appetizer, light meal, or party platter.
The beef kofta is made by mixing ground beef with a variety of spices and fresh herbs, such as cumin, coriander, garlic, onion, parsley, and sometimes a hint of cinnamon or allspice. The meat mixture is shaped into long, oval-shaped skewers or patties and then grilled, baked, or pan-fried until they are juicy and golden brown on the outside. The grilling process imparts a smoky flavor to the kofta, enhancing its delicious spiced filling.
The roasted pepper dip is the perfect complement to the kofta. Roasted red peppers, garlic, and a little olive oil are blended together to create a smooth, creamy dip with a mild smokiness. Some versions add a touch of lemon juice for acidity and a bit of yogurt or tahini for extra creaminess. This dip balances out the richness of the beef and adds a fresh, tangy element that elevates the flavors of the kofta.
To serve, arrange the beef kofta on a platter and serve the roasted pepper dip alongside for dipping. You can also drizzle some of the dip over the kofta for added flavor and presentation. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro for a burst of color.
Beef Kofta with Roasted Pepper Dip is a perfect dish for entertaining, as it’s easy to prepare in advance and can be served hot or at room temperature. Pair it with warm pita bread, a refreshing cucumber salad, or a simple side of hummus, and you have a meal that is flavorful, satisfying, and full of bold, exciting flavors.

Ingredients
- 500 g ground beef
- onion small, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup parsley chopped, fresh
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp ground paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, parsley, cumin, coriander, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Shape the mixture into small oval-shaped patties, known as kofta.
- Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook the kofta for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
- While the kofta are cooking, prepare the roasted pepper dip. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Place the bell peppers on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the skins are blistered and charred.
- Remove the peppers from the oven and place them in a bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the peppers cool for about 10 minutes.
- Once cooled, peel the skin off the peppers and remove the seeds. Place the peppers in a blender or food processor.
- Add the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper to the blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.
- Serve the beef kofta with the roasted pepper dip.
- Enjoy!
I just use ketchup for dipping—better flavor than whatever this is.
Wow. This dinner was a hit! Even my husband who hates anything ‘ground beef’ devoured it! Thx!
These were insanely good. The kofta stay juicy and the pepper dip tastes like restaurant-style mezze. I added a tiny pinch of chili flakes and it was perfect.
Yum!! This is so goood! Gonna make it every week, I don’t care! 😍
Do you really need all those spices? Just a bit of salt and pepper is all you need for beef.
What do you mean coriander? Isn’t that just parsley? I used extra parsley instead and it tasted fine.
I really wanted to like this, but my kofta fell apart on the grill. Maybe I needed more breadcrumbs? The dip turned out nice though.
Maybe you just need to shape them tighter? I dunno, but at least the dip was good!
I heard adding an egg to the mixture helps bind it better for grilling. You might wanna try that next time!
Why do you gotta roast the peppers? Can’t just blend raw ones? Seems silly.
I think roasting the peppers gives them a deeper flavor! Raw peppers are just not the same, trust me.
I think I’m missing something… mine tasted kinda bland. More spices next time maybe? 🤔
Not bad, but 500g beef felt a little dry for me since my breadcrumbs were old. Next time I’ll add a tablespoon of olive oil to the meat mix.
Good call adding olive oil—breadcrumbs can totally dry things out if they’re stale. I’ve started using fresh breadcrumbs or a splash of yogurt in the meat mix.