Turkey Kofta with Moroccan Yogurt Sauce – Slow Cooker-Friendly and Gluten-Free!

September is here and life is busier than ever! This is the time of year when I put my slow cooker to work for me to get low maintenance, healthy meals on the table. That doesn’t mean it has to be the same old stews and chilis every night. Pump up the flavor with my Turkey Kofta with Moroccan Yogurt Sauce! It’s a delicious meal packed with protein and it’s gluten-free!

Disclosure: this post is a collaboration with Butterball Farm to Family. As always, all opinions are 100% my own, and I only recommend products I believe in and enjoy myself.

Choosing healthy turkey without antibiotics and hormones

I’ve always been a huge fan of the flavor and juiciness of turkey. It’s like chicken with the taste dialed up and I love it!

I’m always careful about choosing the right type of meat and poultry because I want to avoid any hormones and antibiotics. You guys and gals are just as concerned about what’s in your food as I am, and for good reason.

Thats why I’m super excited that we have the Farm to Family line by Butterball – it’s the first turkey brand to launch products raised without antibiotics. Not only is Farm to Family fresh, all natural turkey with a “no antibiotics ever” policy, they’re also 100 percent hormone and steroid free in accordance with USDA requirements.

What is kofta?

Get ready to fall in love! Kofta is a delicious Middle Eastern and Moroccan meatball loaded with plenty of herbs and spices. Traditionally they’re made from lamb or beef, but I’ve lightened things up by subbing in some delicious all natural ground turkey.

We’re also keeping this recipe gluten-free, so I’ve removed the cracked wheat or breadcrumbs you’ll usually find in kofta and meatballs and replaced it with gluten-free rolled oats. Bonus: you get more filling fiber!

Kofta are super easy to make and freeze really well too! You can grill them, bake them in the oven, fry them or my favorite… slow cook them in an aromatic tomato sauce to help them stay juicy and melt-in-your-mouth tasty.

Turkey Kofta with Moroccan Yogurt Sauce

– Slow Cooker-Friendly and Gluten-Free!

You can enjoy your kofta with yogurt dip as a protein-packed snack. For a complete meal, serve on gluten-free whole grain flatbread with fresh parsley, tomato and cucumber and drizzle with the yogurt sauce.

You can also serve on lettuce wraps for a lower carb version.

What’s your favorite way to cook with fresh, natural turkey? Share in the comments below!

Turkey Kofta with Moroccan Yogurt Sauce - Slow Cooker-Friendly and Gluten-Free!

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Add to Meal Plan: Select Course to Add: BreakfastLunchSnackDinner This recipe has been added to your Meal Plan

Pump up the flavor with this Turkey Kofta with Moroccan Yogurt Sauce! It’s a delicious meal packed with protein and it’s gluten-free! You can make these meatballs and sauce in the slow cooker or on the stove top. Serve with gluten-free flatbread or lettuce leaves for a lower carb version.

• CourseAppetizer, Dinner, Lunch, Main, Main Dish, Potluck, Snack, Turkey
• CuisineBBQ, Greek, Meal Prep, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Moroccan, Party Food

Servings

4

Servings 4

Turkey Kofta with Moroccan Yogurt Sauce - Slow Cooker-Friendly and Gluten-Free! 1 2 3 4 5 Votes: 14 Rating: 4.5 You: Rate this recipe! Print Recipe Add to Meal Plan: Select Course to Add: BreakfastLunchSnackDinner This recipe has been added to your Meal Plan Pump up the flavor with this Turkey Kofta with Moroccan Yogurt Sauce! It’s a delicious meal packed with protein and it’s gluten-free! You can make these meatballs and sauce in the slow cooker or on the stove top. Serve with gluten-free flatbread or lettuce leaves for a lower carb version. CourseAppetizer, Dinner, Lunch, Main, Main Dish, Potluck, Snack, Turkey CuisineBBQ, Greek, Meal Prep, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Moroccan, Party Food Servings 4 Servings 4

Ingredients

Kofta (Meatballs)

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb Ground turkey (antibiotic-free, hormone-free)
• 1 cup rolled oats (gluten-free)
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley minced
• 1/4 cup onion minced
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp ground cinnamo
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground

Tomato Sauce

• 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1/2 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• pinch Salt and pepper

Yogurt Sauce

• 1 cup Greek yogurt plain
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup fresh mint
• 1/4 cup onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 tbsp cumin
• 1 tbsp harissa (or 1/2 tbsp red pepper flakes. Optional)
• 1 lemon juiced and zested
• pinch Salt and pepper

Serve with:

• 4 flatbreads or lettuce leaves
• 1 tomato sliced
• 1/2 cucumber cut into half crescents
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley minced

Servings:

Units:MetricUS Imperial

Instructions

1. Set your slow cooker to high. Add the oil and cover to let it heat up.
2. In a large bowl, mix all of the kofta ingredients with your hands. Create your meatballs by breaking off about 4 tbsp of the turkey mixture and shaping into kofta (kofta are traditionally longer than a meatball, try to make them about 3” long and 1 1/2” wide). You’ll make about 9 kofta.
3. Add your kofta to the slow cooker in a single layer, letting them brown (If you don’t have a slow cooker you can do this on the stovetop in a frying pan).
4. Meanwhile, make your yogurt sauce: add all of the ingredients into a food processor and pulse until combined. Put in a bowl and keep in the fridge until ready to use.
5. Turn your kofta over in the slow cooker to brown the other side. For the sauce: Pour all of the sauce ingredients into your slow cooker, covering the kofta.
6. Turn your slow cooker to low and cover. Cook for 5 hours. (If you don’t have a slow cooker, you can cook your kofta and sauce in a large pot on the stovetop. Cover and simmer on low for 40 minutes. Then remove the lid and cook for 15 more minutes).
7. Serve the kofta on your gluten-free flatbread or lettuce leaves. Top with cucumber, tomato and a sprinkle of minced parsley. Drizzle with the yogurt sauce or use as a dip for your kofta. Enjoy!