Fourth Street Spiced Lamb Meatballs with Yogurt Dip
Tender lamb meatballs seasoned with warm spices and served alongside a cooling yogurt dip for a flavorful appetizer or main dish. This middle eastern-inspired 4th of july ready in about 30 minutes pairs ground lamb, breadcrumbs, large egg for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground lamb
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint leaves
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground lamb, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1 large egg, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until ingredients are just combined.
- Step 2: Shape the mixture into 16 evenly sized meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
- Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, for 8-10 minutes until browned on all sides and cooked through.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint leaves, and 1 tbsp lemon juice until smooth.
- Step 5: Serve the warm lamb meatballs with the mint yogurt dip on the side for dipping.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Fourth Street Spiced Lamb Meatballs with Yogurt Dip take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Fourth Street Spiced Lamb Meatballs with Yogurt Dip?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground lamb from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Fourth Street Spiced Lamb Meatballs with Yogurt Dip?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Fourth Street Spiced Lamb Meatballs with Yogurt Dip for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Fourth Street Spiced Lamb Meatballs with Yogurt Dip?
Middle Eastern 4th of july like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
