Cumin-Spiced Lamb Meatballs with Tzatziki

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-16 · Updated 2026-06-16

Juicy lamb meatballs seasoned with earthy cumin and herbs, served with a cooling cucumber-yogurt tzatziki sauce. This mediterranean-inspired lamb (mediterranean) ready in about 30 minutes pairs ground lamb, small onion, finely grated, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground lamb
• 1 small onion, finely grated
• 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup cucumber, grated and drained
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground lamb, 1 finely grated small onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Form into 16 evenly sized meatballs.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in batches without crowding and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until browned and cooked through to an internal temperature of 160°F. Remove and keep warm.
3. Step 3: To make tzatziki, mix 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup grated and well-drained cucumber, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill in a small bowl. Serve meatballs warm with a generous dollop of tzatziki on the side.