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Turkish Dinner Featured

Cacıklı Köfte (Turkey)

An authentic recipe for traditional Turkish Cacıklı Köfte, combining chewy bulgur and meat dumplings with a refreshing, garlicky yogurt sauce.

Level Medium Prep 30 min Cook 25 min Servings 4 Score 4.9/10

Ready in

55 min

Makes 4 servings

Prep 30m

Cook 25m

Level Medium

About this recipe

An authentic recipe for traditional Turkish Cacıklı Köfte, combining chewy bulgur and meat dumplings with a refreshing, garlicky yogurt sauce.

A classic southeastern Turkish specialty highlighting bulgur meatballs coated in garlic yogurt and herb oil.

Instructions

In a bowl, cover the fine bulgur with a small amount of warm water and let it rest for 10 minutes until softened.
Add the ground meat, flour, red pepper paste, salt, and black pepper to the bulgur. Knead well until a cohesive dough forms.
Shape the mixture into tiny marble-sized balls.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, drop the meatballs in, and cook for about 8-10 minutes until they float to the top. Drain well.
10 min
In a separate bowl, whisk together the strained yogurt, minced garlic, and water until smooth.
Gently fold the cooked, warm meatballs into the garlicky yogurt sauce.
Heat olive oil in a small pan, flash-fry the dried mint and Aleppo pepper, and drizzle over the dish before serving.

Nutrition

Calories 350

Protein 18g

Carbs 38g

Fat 14g

Fiber 5g

Sugar 5g

Sodium 480mg

Serving Size 1 serving

Cooking Timeline

Prep 30 min

Cook 25 min

Total 55 min

Recipe Scorecard

Overall 9.2 /10

Expert 4.9 95% conf.

Taste 9.6
Presentation 9.2
Nutrition 8.5
Value 9.0
Instructions 9.2
Ingredients 9.0
Time Accuracy 9.0
Difficulty 8.0
Would Make Again 9.0

Expert Review

Reviewed by FindEdition Kitchen

Verdict

An exquisite and refreshing Turkish dish combining chewy bulgur meatballs with rich, garlicky yogurt.

Pros

Unique flavor profile
Comforting and satisfying
Wonderful contrast of warm meatballs and cool yogurt

Cons

Requires patience when rolling tiny meatballs

Overview

A classic southeastern Turkish specialty highlighting bulgur meatballs coated in garlic yogurt and herb oil.

AI Insights

Summary

An authentic recipe for traditional Turkish Cacıklı Köfte, combining chewy bulgur and meat dumplings with a refreshing, garlicky yogurt sauce.

Tips

Wet your hands slightly with water while rolling the meatballs to prevent the dough from sticking
Use thick strained yogurt (süzme yoğurt) for the best creamy consistency
Drizzle the hot mint and pepper oil just before serving for an aromatic finish

Substitutions

Ground beef → Ground lamb or a mix of both
Strained yogurt → Greek yogurt

Storage

Best consumed fresh. Store components separately in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Pairing

Warm crusty flatbread
A refreshing cucumber salad

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FAQ

Is Cacıklı Köfte served warm or cold?

It can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature, making it a versatile meal for any season.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Traditional versions include meat, but regional variations sometimes omit meat and focus entirely on herb-spiced bulgur balls.

About the Author

FindEdition Kitchen

Specialty: Turkish cuisine

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Compare & Alternatives

For higher ratings, consider Authentic Turkish Eggs (Cilbir) with Warm Chili Butter (9.6/10). A quicker option is The Ultimate One-Bowl Fudgy Chocolate Brownies.