5 piece (medium) of Tire Kofte (120 g) has 264 calories. That works out to 220 calories per 100 g. It contains 3 g of carbs, 21.6 g of protein, 18 g of fat and 0.6 g of fiber. Its 2.5 µg of B12 covers 105% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 0 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.

What is Tire Kofte?

Tire Kofte takes its name from the town of Tire in İzmir Province, western Türkiye. It is made from seasoned minced beef shaped into slim, finger-length pieces and grilled; it is traditionally served with pieces of pide, tomato sauce, yoghurt and melted butter. The meat is often simply seasoned so its savoury flavour remains central.

The pieces are browned outside and tender inside, and the classic sauced, yoghurt-topped serving makes a hearty main course. In Türkiye it is commonly enjoyed hot with bread, while elsewhere it works well as a shareable grilled-meat dish with flatbread or a fresh salad. It is protein-rich, with relatively little carbohydrate in the meat itself. For a lighter plate, use less butter and add vegetables.

Tire Kofte Nutrition Facts

Selected: 100 g

220

KCAL / 100G

Carbs

2.5g

· 1% DV

Protein

18g

· 36% DV

Fat

15g

· 19% DV

Fiber

0.5g

· 2% DV

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

Calories come from: Carbs 5% · Protein 33% · Fat 62%

Tire Kofte Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

B12

2.1µg · 88% DV

4.5mg · 28% DV

0.22mg · 17% DV

0.25mg · 15% DV

Minerals

Zinc

4mg · 36% DV

Phosphorus

180mg · 26% DV

Sodium

420mg · 18% DV

Selenium

8µg · 15% DV

How Nutritious Is Tire Kofte?

Nutrient density

High

65/ 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

48/ 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.

Tire Kofte Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

Low

0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

Low

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

How to Burn Off Tire 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 Tire 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 Tire 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 Tire 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

Tire Kofte Fat Profile

SATURATED

6.2g

MONOUNSATURATED

6.7g

POLYUNSATURATED

0.4g

⚖️

Omega 6:3 ratio 2.3:1

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

Compare Tire Kofte

🥩vs🥩

Tire Kofte vs Ground Beef30 kcal fewer per 100 g

→🥩vs🍢

Tire Kofte vs Chicken Skewer80 kcal more per 100 g

→🥩vs🥩

Tire Kofte vs Sauteed Lamb10 kcal fewer per 100 g

→🥩vs🍗

Tire Kofte vs Smoked Turkey110 kcal more per 100 g

→

Foods Similar to Tire 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 Tire Kofte

What is Tire Kofte?

Tire Kofte is a regional Turkish grilled meatball associated with Tire, a town in İzmir province. Its signature shape is slim and elongated, and it is often served over bread with tomato sauce, yogurt, and melted butter.

How is Tire Kofte traditionally made?

Tire Kofte is made by seasoning and kneading minced meat, shaping it into long, narrow portions, then grilling them. The cooked meatballs are commonly arranged on pieces of bread and finished with tomato sauce, yogurt, and butter.

What meat is used in Tire Kofte?

Tire Kofte can be made with beef and lamb, as in the grilled beef-and-lamb version. A little fat helps keep the meatballs juicy, while thorough mixing and chilling make the shaped portions hold together on the grill.

How is Tire Kofte different from İnegöl köfte?

Tire Kofte is known for its long, slim shape and its common presentation with bread, tomato sauce, yogurt, and butter. İnegöl köfte is typically shorter and flatter, and is often served more simply.

Why does Tire Kofte fall off the skewer?

Tire Kofte may fall apart if the mince is too lean, the mixture has not been worked enough, or the shaped meat has not been chilled. Knead it thoroughly, let it firm up in the refrigerator, and press it securely around the skewer.

What is Tire Kofte served with?

Tire Kofte is often served on toasted pieces of Turkish bread with tomato sauce, yogurt, and melted butter. A fresh salad or grilled vegetables make a good accompaniment if you want to balance the rich, buttery topping.

What does Tire Kofte taste like?

Tire Kofte tastes savory and meaty, with a browned, grilled exterior and a tender center. In the traditional bread-and-sauce presentation, tangy yogurt and tomato sauce balance the richness of the meat and butter.

Can you cook Tire Kofte in the oven instead of grilling it?

Yes, you can bake Tire Kofte, although it will lack some of the char and smoky flavor from grilling. Arrange the shaped meatballs on a lined baking tray and cook until they are thoroughly done.

How can you make a lighter version of Tire Kofte at home?

For a lighter Tire Kofte, choose leaner mince, grill the meatballs, and use less melted butter in the topping. Serve a smaller amount of bread with salad or vegetables rather than making the bread-and-sauce portion the main part of the meal.

How should leftover Tire Kofte be stored?

Store leftover Tire Kofte in a covered container in the refrigerator, separate from the yogurt and sauce. Reheat the meatballs until hot throughout, then add fresh yogurt and sauce when serving.

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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.

· Last updated: September 24, 2026