Heart-Healthy Koobideh (Persian Ground Meat Kebabs)

Elevate your barbecue game with Heart-Healthy Koobideh, a lighter spin on the classic Persian ground meat kebab that’s big on flavor and easy on the heart. This recipe combines lean ground turkey and beef with aromatic spices like cumin and turmeric, along with fresh parsley and garlic for a vibrant, savory taste. Gently grilled to perfection on skewers, the koobideh is shaped into tender, juicy kebabs and finished with a zesty squeeze of lemon juice. Served inside whole wheat pita for added fiber, this nutritious dish strikes the perfect balance between tradition and wellness. Ideal for weeknight dinners or summer grilling parties, it’s a wholesome, high-protein meal that’s sure to impress both your palate and your guests!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 units large white onion
• 2 units garlic cloves
• 0.5 cup fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 4 units whole wheat pita

Directions

Step 1

Start by peeling the white onion and grating it into a large mixing bowl. Squeeze out excess juice using a cheesecloth or a fine sieve to prevent the mixture from becoming too loose.

Step 2

Mince the garlic cloves and finely chop the fresh parsley. Add both to the bowl with the onion.

Step 3

Add the lean ground turkey and lean ground beef to the bowl. Using your hands, mix everything together until well combined.

Step 4

Incorporate the ground cumin, ground turmeric, ground black pepper, and salt into the meat mixture, continuing to mix until evenly distributed.

Step 5

Preheat your grill to medium-high. While the grill heats up, divide the meat mixture into 8 equal portions.

Step 6

Shape each portion into a long sausage-like form around metal or wooden skewers. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes prior to prevent burning.

Step 7

Lightly brush each skewer with olive oil to prevent sticking, then arrange them on the preheated grill.

Step 8

Cook for approximately 6-8 minutes on each side, until fully cooked and browned, turning a few times to ensure even cooking.

Step 9

Once cooked, remove the skewers from the grill, and drizzle with fresh lemon juice for added flavor.

Step 10

Serve the Koobideh inside whole wheat pita, adding chopped vegetables of choice (optional) for extra freshness and nutrition.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1394.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2262.9

Total Fat 89.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 24.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 605.1mg	0%
Sodium 4417.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 172.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 26.5g	0%
Total Sugars 8.1g
Protein 212.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 581.7mg	0%
Iron 33.8mg	0%
Potassium 1746.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 34.3%

Protein: 36.2%

Carbs: 29.5%