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Several elongated, ridged portions of coarsely minced meat with a deeply browned, slightly charred exterior are threaded onto metal skewers and served on a plate beside grilled green peppers, tomato wedges and flatbread.
●Low GI
💪High Protein

Shish Kofte Calories

Grilled meatball skewer, rich in protein and iron

In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter

CALORIES

220kcal

GI

35low

POTASSIUM

285mg

FIBER

1.1g

Quick answer

1 piece (medium) of Shish Kofte (80 g) has 176 calories. That works out to 220 calories per 100 g. It contains 4.2 g of carbs, 14.8 g of protein, 11.4 g of fat and 0.9 g of fiber. Its 1.4 µg of B12 covers 57% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 35 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.

What is Shish Kofte?

Shish Kofte is a Turkish-style kebab made from seasoned minced meat shaped in elongated portions around skewers and grilled. The ridged surface browns over the heat while the centre stays tender, with a lightly smoky, savoury flavour.

In Turkey it is commonly served with grilled tomatoes and green peppers, flatbread, and often rice or salad. It also fits easily into a shared barbecue-style meal. As a meat-centred dish, it is filling and provides protein and iron; a 100 g portion has 18.5 g of protein. Pair it with fresh salad and use a modest amount of bread for a lighter plate.

Shish Kofte Nutrition Facts

Selected: 100 g

220

KCAL / 100G

Carbs

5.2g

· 2% DV

Protein

18.5g

· 37% DV

Fat

14.2g

· 18% DV

Fiber

1.1g

· 4% DV

DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.

Calories come from: Carbs 9% · Protein 33% · Fat 58%

Shish Kofte Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

B12

1.7µg · 71% DV

B3

3.8mg · 24% DV

B6

0.32mg · 19% DV

B5

0.85mg · 17% DV

Minerals

Zinc

3mg · 27% DV

Phosphorus

170mg · 24% DV

Selenium

10.5µg · 19% DV

Sodium

420mg · 18% DV

How Nutritious Is Shish Kofte?

Nutrient density

High

60/ 100

How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.

Satiety score

Medium

51/ 100

An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.

Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.

Shish Kofte Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

35
Low
0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

2
Low

Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.

How to Burn Off Shish Kofte

To burn the 220 calories in 100 g:

🚶

54min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

22min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

30min

Cycling

🏊

26min

Swimming

Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.

Is Shish Kofte Processed?

NOVA 2

Minimally Processed

1. Unprocessed

2. Minimally Processed

3. Processed

4. Ultra-Processed

NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.

Does Shish Kofte Contain Allergens?

No known major allergens

Gluten free
Dairy free
Eggs free
Peanuts free
Tree nuts free
Fish free
Soy free
Sesame free

Which Diets Is Shish Kofte Good For?

Vegan

— Not suitable

Vegetarian

— Not suitable

Gluten-Free

✓ Suitable

Dairy-Free

— Not suitable

Mediterranean

✓ Suitable

Paleo

✓ Suitable

Whole30

— Not suitable

DASH

— Not suitable

Keto

✓ Suitable

Low FODMAP

— Not suitable

Shish Kofte Fat Profile

SATURATED

5.2g

MONOUNSATURATED

6.1g

POLYUNSATURATED

1.1g

⚖️

Omega 6:3 ratio 2.6:1

Below the ideal 4:1 — a good omega balance.

Compare Shish Kofte

🍢vs🥩
Shish Kofte vs Ground Beef30 kcal fewer per 100 g
→
🍢vs🍢
Shish Kofte vs Chicken Skewer80 kcal more per 100 g
→
🍢vs🥩
Shish Kofte vs Sauteed Lamb10 kcal fewer per 100 g
→
🍢vs🍗
Shish Kofte vs Smoked Turkey110 kcal more per 100 g
→

Foods Similar to Shish Kofte

🥩

Ground Beef

250 kcal

🍢

Chicken Skewer

140 kcal

🥩

Sauteed Lamb

230 kcal

🍗

Smoked Turkey

110 kcal

🥩

Beef Kavurma

230 kcal

🍆🍖

Meatballs with Eggplant Purée

155 kcal

🥩

Beef Cubed

250 kcal

🍗

Chicken (Sauteed)

165 kcal

Frequently Asked Questions About Shish Kofte

What is Shish Kofte?

Shish Kofte is seasoned ground meat shaped around a skewer and grilled. It is common in Turkish and Middle Eastern cooking, and is often served with grilled vegetables, flatbread, rice, or salad.

What spices go into Shish Kofte?

Shish Kofte is commonly seasoned with salt, black pepper, cumin, and paprika or other pepper. Some recipes add parsley, garlic, or onion, so its flavor varies by region and household.

How do you make Shish Kofte at home?

To make Shish Kofte, mix ground meat with seasoning and any finely chopped aromatics, then shape it firmly around skewers. Grill or pan-cook until browned and cooked through, turning it as needed for even cooking.

How do you stop Shish Kofte from falling off the skewers?

For Shish Kofte that stays on the skewer, use a mixture that is not wet, knead it until cohesive, and press it firmly around the skewer. Chilling the shaped meat before grilling also helps it hold together.

What meat is best for Shish Kofte?

Beef, lamb, or a mixture of the two works for Shish Kofte. A moderately fatty mince usually stays juicier on the grill than very lean meat, which can turn dry and crumbly.

Is Shish Kofte the same as kofta kebab?

The names overlap: kofta kebab refers broadly to seasoned minced meat shaped and cooked as a kebab, while “shish” indicates cooking on a skewer. Recipes and naming vary between countries, so the terms are not always used identically.

Can you cook Shish Kofte in the oven?

Yes, Shish Kofte can be baked in the oven if grilling is not practical. Arrange the skewers on a tray or oven-safe rack, turn them during cooking, and cook until the centers are no longer raw.

What do you serve with Shish Kofte?

Shish Kofte pairs well with flatbread, grilled tomatoes and peppers, rice, or a crisp salad. A yogurt-based sauce can add a cool contrast to the browned, spiced meat.

How long does cooked Shish Kofte last in the fridge?

Cooked Shish Kofte keeps for 3–4 days in a covered container in the refrigerator. Refrigerate leftovers promptly, and reheat them until hot throughout before serving.

Can you freeze Shish Kofte?

Yes, cooked Shish Kofte can be frozen. Let it cool, pack it airtight, and thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating. Freezing may soften the grilled exterior, but the meat remains suitable for meals.

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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.