Description
This Grilled Lamb Kofta recipe brings bold Middle Eastern flavor to your table with perfectly spiced ground lamb skewers, served with a creamy yogurt sauce. It’s a delicious and easy dinner recipe you can grill in just 30 minutes! Serve with warm naan, basmati rice, or a fresh salad for a flavorful feast. Perfect for those looking for healthy recipes, simple high protein meals, or recipes appetizers and snacks.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Lamb Kofta:
- 1 lb ground lamb (454 g)
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs (21 g)
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 white onion, minced (about 1/2 cup)
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Yogurt Sauce:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (146 g)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Yogurt Sauce: Combine yogurt, cumin, coriander, garlic powder, salt, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Mix well and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add garlic and onion; cook on medium-low for 4–5 minutes until softened and lightly caramelized.
- Mix Kofta: In a bowl, mix lamb, breadcrumbs, sautéed onion, and garlic. In a separate bowl, mix all spices. Add half the spice mix to the lamb mixture and blend by hand, then add the remaining spice mix and combine well.
- Preheat Grill: Heat grill to high. Clean the grates.
- Shape Koftas: Wet hands slightly and divide lamb mixture into 6 equal parts. Shape into logs and skewer them.
- Grill Koftas: Grill over indirect heat. Cook each side for about 2 minutes, turning 4–5 times until internal temperature reaches 158℉. Let rest (carryover cooking brings it to 160℉).
- Serve: Plate with yogurt sauce and garnish with chopped cilantro. Serve with rice, naan, or salad.
Notes
- A kitchen scale helps divide portions evenly.
- For oven baking, place on a foil-lined sheet and bake at 400°F for 18–20 minutes.
- You can use ground beef or turkey if lamb isn’t available.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 kofta
- Calories: 285 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 390 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg