Grilled Berbere-Spiced Lamb Kebabs with Yogurt Sauce

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-22 · Updated 2026-07-22

About the author — Lauren Mitchell is the Test Kitchen Director at AislePrompt, with over a decade of professional kitchen experience spanning recipe development, culinary technique testing, and hands-on evaluation of cooking methods across hundreds of tested dishes. Every recipe in the AislePrompt catalog is cooked at least twice before publication. Full author profile →

Juicy lamb cubes marinated in a fiery berbere spice blend and grilled to perfection, served with a cooling garlic yogurt sauce. This Ethiopian-inspired lamb recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs lamb leg, cut into 1-inch cubes, berbere spice blend, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Ethiopian cuisine 350 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1.5 lbs lamb leg, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tbsp berbere spice blend
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tbsp fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
1/4 cup cucumber, finely diced
1 tsp lemon zest

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Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1.5 lbs lamb leg cubes with 2 tbsp berbere spice blend, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss thoroughly to coat and marinate covered in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
Step 2: Meanwhile, prepare the yogurt sauce by mixing 1 cup plain Greek yogurt with 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh mint leaves, 1/4 cup finely diced cucumber, and 1 tsp lemon zest in a small bowl. Refrigerate until serving.
Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread the marinated lamb cubes onto skewers.
Step 4: Grill the lamb kebabs for 3-4 minutes per side, turning occasionally, until nicely charred on the outside and cooked to medium-rare or desired doneness.
Step 5: Remove from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Step 6: Serve the lamb kebabs hot with the refreshing mint cucumber yogurt sauce on the side.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Berbere-Spiced Lamb Kebabs with Yogurt Sauce 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 Grilled Berbere-Spiced Lamb Kebabs with Yogurt Sauce?

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 berbere spice blend from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Berbere-Spiced Lamb Kebabs with Yogurt Sauce?

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 Grilled Berbere-Spiced Lamb Kebabs with Yogurt Sauce 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 Grilled Berbere-Spiced Lamb Kebabs with Yogurt Sauce?

Ethiopian lamb 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.