Try Turkish Turkey Kefta Tacos (30-Min Healthy Dinner)—where Middle Eastern spices meet Mexican street food flair! These crispy-yet-juicy turkey mince patties are infused with garlic, fresh herbs, and aromatic Baharat spice, then smashed onto warm tortillas for a textural twist.
Top them with cooling Greek yoghurt, tangy pickled cucumbers, and smoky grilled cherry tomatoes for a vibrant, balanced bite.
🌮 Serves 3 | 🍗 Lean Protein | 🥒 Veggie-Packed | ⏱ 30-Min Dinner
These Smashed Kefta Tacos aren’t just a meal—they’re a conversation starter! Perfect for sharing at gatherings or as a showstopping appetiser, their fusion of Middle Eastern spices and Mexican street-food vibes guarantees empty plates.
Love these fusion flavours? Try our one-pan Turkish meatballs and potatoes bake for another herbed delight, or whip up 15-minute udon noodles with soy sauce when you need something even faster. Vegetarians will adore our sweet and sour stir-fry vegetables as a vibrant side.
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💗 Why This Recipe Works
This recipe is a winner because it brings together tasty ingredients in a unique way. The juicy turkey patties, seasoned just right, provide a delicious taste. Topping the tacos with creamy Greek yoghurt, pickled cucumber, and more adds extra yumminess. Whether served as a main meal or a tasty snack, these tacos are sure to be a hit!
🥘 Ingredients
*See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
- Turkey mince (or beef/lamb): The main protein for kefta patties. Turkey is leaner (93% lean recommended), while lamb adds rich flavor. For juicier patties, use 80/20 beef. Chill meat 15 minutes before mixing for easier handling.
- Baharat spice: Adds warm depth to the dish. No Baharat? Mix ½ teaspoon cumin + ½ teaspoon coriander + ¼ teaspoon allspice. Toasting the spices briefly enhances their aroma.
- Onion and garlic: Essential aromatics. Grate and squeeze the onion to remove excess moisture. For stronger flavor, add an extra garlic clove or use roasted garlic.
- Olive oil: Used for cooking kefta and grilling tomatoes. Extra virgin olive oil adds fruitiness. For high-heat cooking, use light olive oil or avocado oil.
- Fresh herbs (mint and dill): Add bright, herbaceous notes. Mint brings freshness (sub with 1 teaspoon dried mint if needed). Dill adds tang (parsley or cilantro work as substitutes).
- Tortillas: The taco base. For gluten-free, use corn tortillas or butter lettuce cups. Warm them briefly in a dry pan for better pliability.
Assembly & Serving Ingredients
♻️ Substitutions
- Turkey mince: Ground beef or lamb is a great alternative. You can also use ground chicken, pork, or a plant-based meat substitute for a lighter or vegetarian option.
- Herbs du PROVENCE: If you don't have Herbs du PROVENCE, you can use a combination of dried herbs such as thyme, rosemary, marjoram, and savory.
- Baharat spice: If Baharat spice is not available, you can make a substitute by combining equal parts of ground black pepper, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and paprika.
- Medium tortillas: Corn tortillas can be used instead of wheat tortillas for a gluten-free option.
- Cherry tomatoes: Any tomatoes, such as Roma or vine-ripened tomatoes, can be grilled.
- Greek yoghurt: Use sour cream or plain yoghurt instead.
- Pickled cucumber: Fresh cucumber slices can be used.
- Pickled red cabbage: Shredded raw red cabbage gives the same crunch.
- Chilli sauce or sriracha: Any hot sauce or salsa will go great with these tacos.
- Optional: Feta cheese: Queso fresco or cotija cheese has a similar salty flavour.
📖 Variations
- Spicy Kefta Tacos: Add some heat by incorporating diced jalapeños or a spicy harissa sauce into the kefta mixture. Top with sliced pickled peppers for an extra kick.
- Vegetarian Kefta Tacos: For a meatless version, use a mixture of cooked lentils, chickpeas, and your favourite spices as the base for your tacos. Smashing them adds a unique twist.
- Kefta and Hummus Tacos: Spread a layer of creamy hummus on the tortillas before adding the smashed kefta meat. Top with fresh veggies and a drizzle of tahini sauce.
- Kefta Taco Bowls: Skip the tortillas and serve your smashed kefta over a bed of fluffy couscous or quinoa. Add roasted vegetables and a side of tzatziki sauce.
- Kefta Breakfast Tacos: Repurpose leftover kefta meat into breakfast tacos. Scramble some eggs, add the kefta, and garnish with fresh herbs and salsa.
- Tacos with Salsa Verde: Swap out the traditional salsa for a vibrant salsa verde made with tomatillos, cilantro, and lime.
- Kefta and Roasted Veggie Tacos: Roast a medley of vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes, and serve them alongside your smashed kefta for a roasted twist.
- Tacos with Pineapple Salsa: Create a tropical vibe by making a pineapple salsa with diced pineapple, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice. It pairs wonderfully with the kefta.
👩🍳 How To Make Smashed Kefta Tacos
Step 1: In a large bowl, mix turkey mince, onion, garlic, Herbs du Provence, olive oil, mint, dill, pepper, salt, and Baharat spice until well combined.
Step 2: Divide the turkey mixture into 6 round portions.
Step 3: Shape each ball into a flattened oval patty over tortillas using parchment paper and a rolling pin.
Step 4: Spread the meat mixture so that it covers the entire tortilla.
Step 5: Drizzle olive oil in the pan. Place tortillas, meat side down, and cook for 4-5 minutes until meat is cooked and tortillas are browned.
Step 6: Flip and cook for 1 more minute until golden. Remove from heat, fold in half, and set aside on a plate.
Step 7: Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Arrange cherry tomatoes on a baking sheet or a ceramic plate, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt.
Step 8: Bake for 15 minutes until tomatoes are lightly charred. Take it out of the oven and keep it aside.
Step 9: In a small bowl, mix the Greek yoghurt, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Set aside.
Step 10: For smashed kefta tacos, layer tortillas with red onion, pickled veggies, cherry tomatoes, Greek yogurt, salad leaves, chilli sauce, and feta. Best enjoyed fresh!
*A full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
❓Smashed Kefta Tacos FAQs
Kefta (or kofta) is a spiced ground meat mixture, typically made with lamb, beef, or a combination, mixed with onions, garlic, parsley, cumin, coriander, paprika, and other Middle Eastern spices. For smash kefta tacos, the mixture is pressed thin and seared for a crispy texture.
Kefta is ground meat shaped into patties, logs, or balls, while kabobs (kebabs) are skewered and grilled chunks of whole meat or vegetables. Smash kefta tacos use flattened kefta patties for a crispy, taco-friendly texture.
Smash kefta tacos pair well with:
Flatbreads or tortillas
Tzatziki, tahini, or garlic yoghurt sauce
Pickled onions, fresh herbs, and chopped salads
Grilled vegetables or hummus
The best sauces for kefta tacos include:
Tzatziki (yoghurt-cucumber sauce) or oil-free 3-ingredient mayo
Tahini, garlic sauce or simple 4-ingredient mayo
Spicy harissa or chilli paste
Minty yoghurt or herby green sauce, like this easy chimichurri sauce
Yes, kafta and kofta are the same—just different spellings. The dish is popular across the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and the Mediterranean, with slight regional variations in spices and shape.
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Smashed Kefta Tacos
Equipment
- Parchment Paper: Used to cover the kefta patties when smashing them onto the tortillas.
Ingredients
For the Kefta:
- 1 lb turkey mince beef or lamb can be used as well
- 1 large onion chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced or grated
- 2 tablespoon Herbs du PROVENCE (or sub 1 tablespoon thyme + 1 tablespoon oregano)
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- A handful each of fresh mint + dill chopped
- 1 teaspoon Baharat spice (or mix ½ teaspoon cumin + ½ teaspoon coriander + ¼ teaspoon allspice)
- Salt + freshly cracked pepper to taste
To serve
- 6 medium tortillas (or butter lettuce cups)
- Grilled cherry tomatoes (tossed with 1 tablespoon oil, salt, seared 5 min)
- Greek yogurt sauce (½ cup yogurt + 1 tablespoon lemon juice + 1 grated garlic clove)
- Pickled veggies: cucumber + red cabbage
- Fresh toppings: Julienned red onion, rough-cut salad greens
- Spicy kick: Sriracha, chilli sauce or harissa (for smoky heat)
- Optional: Feta crumbles (omit for dairy-free)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the turkey mince, chopped onion, minced garlic, Herbs du PROVENCE, olive oil, mint, dill, freshly grated pepper, salt, and Baharat spice. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.1 lb turkey mince, 1 large onion, 3 garlic cloves, 2 tablespoon Herbs du PROVENCE, 3 tablespoon olive oil, A handful each of fresh mint + dill, Salt + freshly cracked pepper , 1 teaspoon Baharat spice
- Heat a non-stick pan or skillet over medium heat. Divide the turkey mixture into 6 equal portions and shape each portion into a flattened oval patty. Place a tortilla on top of each patty. Cover with a piece of parchment paper and press down using your hands or a rolling pin, ensuring the meat mixture covers the entire surface of the tortillas.6 medium tortillas
- Drizzle some olive oil onto the pan and place the tortillas, meat side down, in the pan. Cook for about 4-5 minutes, or until the meat is cooked through and the tortillas are nicely browned. Flip the tortillas and cook for an additional minute until golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside on a plate, folding them in half.
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Place the cherry tomatoes on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Grill for about 5 minutes until the tomatoes are slightly charred. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and minced garlic if you choose. Set aside.
- Warm the tortillas either by heating them in a dry skillet or by wrapping them in foil and placing them in the preheated oven for a few minutes.
- To assemble the tacos, add chopped red onion, diced pickled cucumber, pickled red cabbage, a few grilled cherry tomatoes, and a spoonful of Greek yogurt onto each tortilla.
- Top with a handful of roughly cut salad leaves and drizzle with chili sauce or sriracha to taste. Optionally, sprinkle some feta cheese crumbles on top.
- Fold the tortillas and serve the Smashed Kefta Tacos immediately.
Claudia Ciorteanu says
My family loved this!
Criss says
Thank you for sharing this recipe! My family love it!
Nora says
Wohoo, something new for Taco night! So delicious! Thanks!
Elizabeth says
These kefta patties are so delicious! My family loved them!
NK says
Loved this recipe! So fun to try new flavors and this was a very tasty dinner for us!