Smashed Kefta Tacos
Turkish Kefta Tacos - Juicy spiced turkey/lamb patties meet fresh Mexican toppings in 30 minutes! Stuffed with charred tomatoes, tangy pickles, garlic yogurt and feta. A bold fusion dinner that's perfect for sharing!
Servings: 3
Calories: 293kcal
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.
Video
Notes
Step-by-Step Guide: You’ll find a helpful step-by-step guide to making this recipe on my blog.
Substitutions & Twists: I’ve listed some great substitutions and variations in the post above so that you can customise the dish to your liking.
Storage: These smashed kefta tacos are best consumed fresh.
Tip 1: Flavorful Seasoning: Season the turkey mince patties generously with Middle Eastern spices like cumin, coriander, and paprika for an authentic taste.
Tip 2: Flatten the turkey patties onto tortillas evenly to ensure even cooking and a cohesive texture.
Tip 3: Use a variety of fresh toppings such as grilled cherry tomatoes, crunchy red onions, and tangy pickled cucumber to add texture and flavor contrast to the tacos.
Nutrition
Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 280mg | Potassium: 259mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 112IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 94mg | Iron: 4mg
