Go Back Email Link
A casserole dish full of log shaped Albanian beef Qofte Meatballs. Served alongside labneh, hummus, a village salad, and pickled vegetables.
Sacha Hirschfeld

Albanian Qofte (Pan-Fried Meatballs)

5 from 1 vote
My forever recipe! I've sampled countless Albanian Qoftes and watched my husbands Nëne in action; this is my version after many times experimenting.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Marinating Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Mains
Cuisine: Albanian, Mediterranean
Calories: 365
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ lb ground beef or lamb
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup white onion plus its juices; grated
  • ⅔ cup breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup Italian parsley stems removed, packed, and chopped
  • 2 tsp dried mint
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp hot paprika
  • 5 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp freshly ground pepper

Equipment

  • 1 large bowl
  • 1 pair of tongs
  • 1 box grater

Method
 

  1. Using a box grater, grate the onion into a bowl (juices included); set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, add all of the ingredients (including onion + its juices). Using clean hands, fold in the mixture until just combined. Don't over-mix because it will result in a tough Qofte. Cover and place in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
    A stainless steel bowl filled with Albanian Qofte meat mixture.
  3. Remove the meat mix from the fridge. Take about ¼ cup of meat in your hands and shape into patties or logs. I typically do small logs and then press down of them with a fork when I add them to the frying pan.
    A plate of freshly rolled out Albanian Qoftes.
  4. Fry the Qofte in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until browned and slightly crispy, about 5 minutes. Turn the Qofte halfway through to ensure both sides are cooked evenly. Remove using tongs and place Qofte on a plate lined with paper towel.
    Albanian Qoftes cooking on two twin grill pans.

Notes

If you have a grill at home, feel free to cook on that. This version is tailored to apartment living.