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Homemade i_ Kfte (Turkish Vegan Meatballs) photo

i_ Kfte (Turkish Vegan Meatballs)

These Turkish Vegan Meatballs are a delightful comfort food twist, packed with flavor and entirely plant-based!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Turkish

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 2 cups fine bulgur
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 medium onion grated
  • 1 unit lemon juiced
  • 2 tablespoons chili flakes
  • 2 tablespoons isot pepper
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons mixture of tomato and chili paste
  • 3 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
  • 1 tablespoon salt (add extra if needed)

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Grater
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Baking Sheet

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Begin by placing the fine bulgur in a large mixing bowl. Carefully pour the boiling water over the bulgur, ensuring it is fully covered. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let it sit for about 15-20 minutes, allowing the bulgur to absorb the water and soften.
  2. Once the bulgur has soaked, add the grated onion, freshly squeezed lemon juice, chili flakes, isot pepper, black pepper, and salt. The combination of these ingredients will create a flavorful base for your meatballs.
  3. Next, pour in the olive oil and the mixture of tomato and chili paste. These ingredients will provide moisture and richness to the meatballs, ensuring they are not too dry.
  4. Using a wooden spoon or your hands, gently mix all the ingredients until everything is well combined. The mixture should be moist but hold together when formed into a ball. If it feels too dry, you can add a bit more olive oil or water.
  5. With your hands, take small portions of the mixture and roll them into balls, about the size of a golf ball. Place the formed meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  6. You can either bake or fry the meatballs. For baking, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway through. If frying, heat a generous amount of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and fry the meatballs until golden brown on all sides.
  7. Once cooked, remove the meatballs from the heat and drizzle with pomegranate molasses for that perfect finish. This adds a wonderful tangy sweetness that balances the spices beautifully.

Notes

  • For a gluten-free option, substitute bulgur with cooked quinoa.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • These meatballs can be made in advance and stored in the freezer.