Main Course · Mediterranean · Dinner ·

Turkish Pumpkin Köfte with Yogurt Mint Sauce

Name: Turkish Pumpkin Köfte with Yogurt Mint Sauce
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 105 min
Total time: 140 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 500g pumpkin, peeled and grated; 100g bulgur, fine grain; 1 onion, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tsp cumin, ground; 1 tsp paprika; ½ tsp cinnamon, ground; Salt and pepper, to taste; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 cup breadcrumbs; 2 tbsp parsley, finely chopped; 1 cup plain yogurt; 2 tbsp fresh mint, finely chopped; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 1 garlic clove, minced; Salt, to taste

These delicious pumpkin köfte are a perfect blend of spices and sweetness, served with a cooling yogurt mint sauce to complement the flavors.

5(707 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·February 7, 2026

Turkish Pumpkin Köfte with Yogurt Mint Sauce — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

35 min

Cook

1 h 45 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Pumpkin Köfte

For the Yogurt Mint Sauce

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 310 kcal
Protein: 9.3 g
Carbs: 46.5 g
Fat: 9.66 g
Fiber: 7.7 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1238 kcal
Protein: 37.35 g
Carbs: 186.1 g
Fat: 38.62 g
Fiber: 30.8 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
500g pumpkin peeled and grated	125	3.5	27	0.5	4.5
100g bulgur fine grain	342	12	75	1	18
1 onion finely chopped	44	1.3	10	0.1	1.5
2 cloves garlic minced	8	0.3	2	0	0.1
1 tsp cumin ground	8	0.4	0.9	0.5	0.6
1 tsp paprika	6	0.3	1.2	0.3	0.8
½ tsp cinnamon ground	3	0.05	0.9	0.02	0.6
Salt and pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
2 tbsp olive oil	238	0	0	27	0
1 cup breadcrumbs	300	10	54	5	3.5
2 tbsp parsley finely chopped	2	0.3	0.4	0.1	0.3
1 cup plain yogurt	150	8.5	11.5	4	0
2 tbsp fresh mint finely chopped	4	0.4	0.9	0.1	0.5
1 tbsp lemon juice	4	0.1	1.3	0	0.3
1 garlic clove minced	4	0.2	1	0	0.05
Salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0

These are nutrition estimates and not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Prepping the Pumpkin

1
Grate the pumpkin
Grate the peeled pumpkin using a coarse grater.
2
Salt and rest
Place grated pumpkin in a sieve, sprinkle with salt, and let it sit for 15 min to draw out moisture.
3
Remove excess liquid
Squeeze the pumpkin to remove excess liquid.
Tip: Important: Make sure to thoroughly squeeze out the pumpkin to prevent soggy köfte.

Assembling the Köfte

1
Combine ingredients
In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, bulgur, onion, garlic, spices, and olive oil.
2
Add breadcrumbs and parsley
Add breadcrumbs and parsley; mix well until the mixture holds its shape.
3
Form the köfte
Form the mixture into small oval shapes (approximately 2 tbsp per köfte).
Tip: Pro Tip: Let the mixture rest for 10 minutes for flavors to meld and bulgur to absorb moisture.

How to Make Turkish Pumpkin Köfte with Yogurt Mint Sauce

Total time: 2 h 20 min · Yields 4 servings

1
Preheat the oven
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2
Arrange köfte
Place formed köfte on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3
Bake
Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking.