Ikra Stuffed İçli Köfte – 600 g

Crisp on the outside, tender within and packed with a fragrant spiced filling, içli köfte is the kind of dish Turkish families usually make only for special occasions, because shaping them by hand takes hours. This 600g pack from Ikra saves you all that work, so you can enjoy them on an ordinary Tuesday.

What Is İçli Köfte?

The name means köfte with something inside. These are stuffed bulgur balls made from a fine bulgur and minced meat dough, shaped into a hollow torpedo, filled with a mixture of minced meat, onion, walnuts and spices, and sealed at both ends. When cooked, the outer shell turns golden and crunchy while the filling stays juicy and aromatic.

Across the Middle East you will find close relatives of this dish, most famously the Levantine kibbeh. In Turkey, it is most closely linked with the south-east, particularly cities such as Gaziantep, Mardin and Antakya, where each household has its own spice blend and preferred shape.

A Labour-Saving Classic

Anyone who has made içli köfte at home knows how fiddly it is. The bulgur dough has to be kneaded until smooth and elastic, then each shell is hollowed out with a finger, filled carefully and sealed without cracking. A skilled cook can do it quickly, but most of us cannot. A ready-to-cook pack takes all that effort away while keeping the flavour and texture people love, so you can serve them as a starter, a snack or part of a bigger meze spread in very little time.

How to Cook Them

Always follow the instructions on the pack, but these are the most popular methods.

Deep Fried

The traditional choice. Heat oil to a medium-high temperature and fry a few pieces at a time until deep golden and crisp all over. Drain on kitchen paper before serving.

Oven Baked

For a lighter option, brush the köfte lightly with oil, place them on a lined tray and bake in a hot oven, turning once, until browned and heated through.

Air Fryer

An air fryer gives excellent results with very little oil. Spray lightly and cook until the shells are crunchy and the centre is piping hot.

Serving Ideas

• Serve hot with lemon wedges and a crisp salad of tomato, cucumber and parsley.
• Add a bowl of thick garlic yoghurt for dipping.
• Include them on a meze table with hummus, stuffed vine leaves and pickles.
• Pack cold leftovers into a lunch box with salad and flatbread.

They are also a favourite during Ramadan, when a plate of freshly fried içli köfte often appears on the iftar table.

Storage and Allergens

Store according to the instructions on the pack and use by the date shown. Contains wheat from bulgur and may contain nuts. Please check the label for full allergen details.

Order Online From Robin Food

Robin Food delivers Turkish ready meals across the UK, with same-day delivery available in many London areas. Pair your içli köfte with our stuffed vine leaves, lahmacun and a chilled bottle of spicy şalgam.