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Meat, Maghreb and Middle East

Persian kotlets with shirazi salad

Persian kotlets are pan fried patties made from ground beef and mashed potatoes, flavored with turmeric and cinnamon. This recipe serves 4, takes 55 minutes, is rated easy, and costs €2.20 per serving. The key to success is a dry mash and a firm mixture before shaping the patties.

Tonight I'm making Persian kotlets, beef and potato patties with turmeric, served with a fresh shirazi salad.

Persian kotlets with shirazi salad
Total time
55 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.20
Calories per person
700 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Spring, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Persian kotlets look a bit like thick croquettes, but the beef and potato melt together under a golden, crisp crust. Turmeric gives them a warm color and a mild fragrance, while cinnamon adds just enough roundness without tasting like dessert. It's a nice change from a plain burger patty, yet still familiar enough for kids to enjoy.

The shirazi salad, bright with lemon, balances out the comforting patties. This is a solid weeknight dinner when you want something different without spending the whole evening in the kitchen, but it also holds up well on a weekend table with warm bread. Kids usually like the patty shape better than round meatballs.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Ground beef 400 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Potatoes 500 g
  • Onion 1
  • Tomatoes 4
  • Cucumbers 2
  • Red onion 1
  • Lemon 1

Dairy

  • Egg 1

Pantry

  • Turmericoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Cinnamonoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Breadcrumbsoften in the pantry 5 tbsp
  • Oiloften in the pantry 6 tbsp
  • Dried mintoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Bakery

  • Bread 4 slices

Allergens Eggs, Gluten

The step by step recipe

  1. Boil the potatoes, peel them, and mash roughly. 25 min

    Peel them while still hot using a kitchen towel, it's much easier.

  2. Mix the beef with the mashed potatoes, grated onion, egg, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.

    Squeeze the grated onion well so the mixture stays firm.

  3. Shape oval patties and coat them in breadcrumbs.

    Wet your hands first, the mixture won't stick to them.

  4. Brown them in hot oil, 4 minutes per side. 10 min

    Only flip them once the underside is nicely golden, they'll hold together without breaking.

  5. Dice the tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion, season with lemon, mint, and a pinch of salt, then serve with the kotlets and bread.

    Salt the salad at the last minute to keep its crunch.

Our tips to get it right

  • Drain the potatoes well and let them cool slightly before mashing, a mash that's too wet keeps the patties from holding together while cooking.
  • Shape flat patties about half an inch thick rather than thick balls, they cook more evenly and brown better all over.
  • Heat the oil enough before adding the patties, a pan that isn't hot enough makes the kotlets soak up too much oil.

The variations

  • Swap the ground beef for ground lamb for a version closer to some traditional Iranian recipes, the flavor will be stronger.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the meat with cooked, well drained red lentils, keeping the same spices and mashed potatoes.
  • For kids, shape smaller, flattened kotlets, they cook faster and are easy to eat with your hands.

What to serve it with

  • Flatbread or crusty bread
  • Plain yogurt or labneh
  • Light black tea

Storage

The kotlets keep for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. They freeze well once cooked and cooled, just reheat them in a pan to bring back the crispiness. The shirazi salad should be made right before serving and doesn't keep.

Questions about this dish

Can you make the kotlets ahead of time?

Yes, you can shape the raw patties the day before and keep them in the fridge. Cook them right before serving so they stay crisp.

Can you replace the breadcrumbs?

You can use crumbled stale bread or gluten free breadcrumbs if needed. The goal is a thin coating that browns nicely while cooking.

Why do my kotlets fall apart while cooking?

This usually happens when the mash is too wet or the mixture wasn't pressed enough. Squeeze out the grated onion well and let the mixture rest a few minutes before shaping.

Can you freeze the kotlets?

Yes, once cooked and fully cooled, store them in an airtight container in the freezer. Reheat them in a pan over low heat to bring back their crisp texture.

How long does it take to make Persian kotlets with shirazi salad?

Count 55 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in Persian kotlets with shirazi salad?

About 700 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does Persian kotlets with shirazi salad cost?

About €2.20 per serving, or €8.80 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains eggs, gluten. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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