Turkey Kofta Pita Wraps (with Salad and Sauce)

Plate with three turkey kofta wraps garnished with tahini sauce, pickled onions and chopped salad with cherry tomatoes and cucumbers.

5 from 1 vote

Turkey Kofta Pita Wraps (with Salad and Sauce)

My Turkey Kofta Pita Wraps are a simple and tasty way to bring Eastern Mediterranean flavors to your dinner table. The recipe is easy to prepare, customizable and delicious. Best of all, it all comes together in under 45 minutes.

Prep Time25

Cook Time20

Total Time45

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern

Servings: People

Author: Luay Ghafari

Cost: $20

Ingredients

Turkey Kofta

1 lb Ground turkey
½ Onion (grated)
2-3 Garlic cloves (minced)
¼ cup Fresh parsley (finely chopped)
1 tsp Ground cumin
1 tsp Ground coriander
1 tsp Smoked paprika
¾ tsp Kosher salt
¼ tsp Black pepper
1 tbsp Olive oil - For shaping and cooking

Salad

1 cup Tomatoes (chopped)
1 cup Cucumber (chopped)
¼ Red onion (thinly sliced)
2 tbsp Fresh parsley (chopped)
2 tbsp Fresh mint (chopped)
1 tbsp Olive oil
1 tbsp Lemon juice
Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

Tahini Sauce

⅓ cup Tahini
2 tbsp Lemon juice
1 Garlic clove (minced)
3-5 tbsp Cold water - to thin the sauce
Kosher salt to taste

To Serve

4 Pita breads or flatbreads
Pickled turnips - Optional
Sumac Onions - Optional
Shredded lettuce - Optional

Instructions

Make the Kofta Base. In a large bowl, combine 1 lb Ground turkey, ½ Onion (grated), 2-3 Garlic cloves (minced), ¼ cup Fresh parsley (finely chopped), 1 tsp Ground cumin, 1 tsp Ground coriander, 1 tsp Smoked paprika, ¾ tsp Kosher salt, and ¼ tsp Black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just incorporated. Avoid overmixing so the kofta stays tender. NOTE: You can fry up a small amount of meat mixture, taste and adjust the seasoning.
Shape the Kofta. Lightly oil your hands and form the mixture into small logs or oblong patties. You should get about 8–10 koftas, depending on how large you make them.
Cook the Kofta. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a thin layer of olive oil. Cook the kofta for 3–4 minutes per side, turning until browned and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F / 74°C – use an instant-read thermometer to check). Alternatively, grill them over medium heat or bake in a 400°F (200°C) oven for about 15–18 minutes, flipping halfway.
Make the Salad. In a bowl, combine 1 cup Tomatoes (chopped), 1 cup Cucumber (chopped), ¼ Red onion (thinly sliced), 2 tbsp Fresh parsley (chopped), 2 tbsp Fresh mint (chopped), 1 tbsp Olive oil, 1 tbsp Lemon juice, and Kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Toss to coat evenly and set aside.
Make the Tahini Sauce. Whisk together ⅓ cup Tahini, 2 tbsp Lemon juice, 1 Garlic clove (minced) and 3-5 tbsp Cold water until the sauce reaches a smooth, pourable consistency. Season with Kosher salt to taste.
Assemble the Pitas. Warm 4 Pita breads or flatbreads. Fill each with a handful of the salad, add 1–2 turkey koftas, and drizzle generously with tahini sauce. Top with Pickled turnips or Sumac Onions and Shredded lettuce if you like.

Notes

Refer to the post above for step-by-step recipe photos, tips and advice.

Key Ingredient Notes:

Ground Meat: This recipe uses ground turkey meat, which is both accessible and lean. But you can totally make this recipe using my Beef Kofta or Chicken Kofta base recipes.
Fresh Herbs: Finely chopped fresh parsley is also a pretty standard kofta ingredient. I also like including fresh mint in the chopped salad topping.
Tahini: This Middle Eastern sesame paste is a pantry staple for me. If you’re out of tahini, try sunflower seed butter or cashew butter for a similar texture. But really, try to get your hands on Tahini. It’s available at most grocery stores.
Pita Bread: Store-bought pita is perfectly fine, of course. Try to find fresh or soft pita. They will be more pliable and easier to form wraps with. You can also make your pitas if you wish. Try my Greek-Style Pita and Lebanese-Style Pita recipes. You can also use thicker pitas and slice them open to create pita pockets.

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