Vegetarian Kofte with Harissa Yogurt Recipe
Make these vegetarian kofte for a plant-based, Middle Eastern feast, paired with toasted pita, hummus and a chopped tomato and cucumber salad! Mix beyond beef or a similar product with harissa, spices, and herbs, and serve with harissa yogurt for dipping!
As someone who (for ethical and environmental reasons) tries to eat more meatless meals, but also really enjoys eating meat, I am thrilled with the advent of products like Beyond Beef and Impossible Burger. They really do taste just like ground meat, and cook similarly as well, so the pleasure of eating isn’t sacrificed when trying to eat in a way that aligns with my values. If we can bring it back to 2011 for a moment, that’s what I call #winning.
This vegetarian kofte recipe is one of my favorites I’ve made since discovering these products, and I think it’ll be one of your favorites too! Kofte is a type of herbed and spiced meatball found in many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines. Different countries have different varieties, but the one thing they have in common is that they’re all delicious 💁🏻♀️Seriously, I think I’ve tried most of them. What can I say, it’s a favorite of mine!
This vegetarian kofte recipe most resembles Lebanese kofte. It’s mixed with bulgur, a whole grain made from cracked wheat, and seasoned with onion, parsley, mint, garlic, cumin, coriander and a bit of cinnamon. It also has harissa added to the mix, which isn’t Lebanese, but adds yummy, smoky spice.
How to Serve this Vegetarian Kofte Recipe
I decided to serve this vegetarian kofte recipe appetizer style, with a big platter of toasted pita and hummus, the harissa yogurt for dipping, and a bowl of chopped tomato and cucumber salad. The salad is really simple to throw together - no recipe needed. I just mixed halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, and red onion with lemon juice and olive oil, and seasoned it with za’atar.
These vegetarian kofte would also be delish in a pita sandwich. Along with the kofte, stuff a pita with lettuce or arugula, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion and drizzle with harissa yogurt, and maybe a bit of tahini as well.
Another option is to serve these vegetarian kofte as a main dish along with a vegetable and starch side. For a vegetable pairing, try my caramelized cauliflower with gold raisins or roasted carrots with tahini and mint. For a carbohydrate pairing, serve these with garlicky stewed white beans, rice, or roasted winter squash.
Vegetarian Kofte Recipe Ingredient Notes
To make these vegetarian kofte, feel free to use any plant-based ground meat substitute that’s similar to ground beef. Beyond Beef, Impossible Burger, Lightlife or The Meatless Farm Co are all brands I’ve seen or tried. But if you’re not looking for a vegetarian burger, you are more than welcome to make these kofte with ground beef, lamb or pork.
I added cooked bulgur to these meatballs, a common kofte addition, which adds texture and also helps stretch the meat, similar to adding breadcrumbs to meatloaf. Bulgur is a type of grain made from cracked wheat, so it cooks quickly. I bought mine in the bulk section of our local health food store, but you can also order it online.
Harissa is another ingredient I use in this recipe, both the flavor the vegetarian kofte and for the harissa yogurt sauce. Harissa is a North African hot chili paste, made with roasted chiles, garlic, and spices. The spice level varies from brand to brand, so if you’re sensitive to heat, you might want to taste it first or start out light.
This vegetarian kofte recipe, images and text have been updated to give you the best possible content!
Vegetarian Kofte with Harissa Yogurt Recipe
Makes 12 golf ball sized kofte
Ingredients:
Harissa Yogurt:
3/4 cup plain whole milk or 2% yogurt
2 tablespoons harissa
2 garlic cloves, finely minced or pressed
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Kofte:
1/4 cup bulgur
1 lb Beyond Beef or similar product
1/2 large onion, grated on the small holes of a box grater
2 tablespoons harissa
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
2 garlic cloves, finely minced or pressed
1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
For serving:
Toasted pita
Hummus
Cucumber and tomato salad (recipe described in post)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
First, cook the bulgur for the kofte. Bring bulgur and 1/3 cup water to a simmer in a small pot along with a drizzle of olive oil and large pinch of salt. Once simmering, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook 12 minutes until bulgur is tender. Let sit covered 10 minutes to cool.
Next, make the harissa yogurt sauce. Mix the yogurt, harissa, garlic and herbs. Season with salt and set side.
To make the kofte, mix the Beyond Beef, bulgur, onion, harissa, herbs, garlic, and spices. Season with 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and a bit of black pepper. Mix by hand until well combined. Form 12 golf ball sized meatballs and space evenly on a baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and cooked through.
Serve kofte with harissa yogurt, toasted pita, hummus and cucumber tomato salad.
If you like this vegetarian kofte recipe, you might also like:
The BEST Vegetarian Lentil Meatballs
Pita with Yogurt Chickpeas and Muhamarra
Baked Green Falafel with Three Dipping Sauces
