Grilled Citrus-Marinated Lamb Kebabs with Tzatziki
Juicy lamb cubes marinated in a bright citrus blend and grilled to perfection, served alongside cool and creamy tzatziki sauce. This greek-inspired lamb (mediterranean) ready in about 30 minutes pairs lamb leg, cut into 1-inch cubes, olive oil, lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
- 1.5 lbs lamb leg, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 medium cucumber, grated and drained
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 8 skewers wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1/4 cup orange juice, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 1.5 lbs lamb leg cubes and toss well to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, prepare the tzatziki by combining 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1/2 grated and drained cucumber, 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a bowl. Mix well and refrigerate until serving.
- Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread the marinated lamb cubes onto 8 soaked wooden skewers, leaving slight space between pieces.
- Step 4: Grill the lamb kebabs for 8-10 minutes total, turning every 2-3 minutes until the lamb is cooked to medium-rare and has nice grill marks.
- Step 5: Serve the hot lamb kebabs with chilled tzatziki sauce alongside for dipping.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Citrus-Marinated Lamb Kebabs with Tzatziki take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (20 min prep + 10 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 Citrus-Marinated Lamb Kebabs with Tzatziki?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Citrus-Marinated Lamb Kebabs with Tzatziki?
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 Citrus-Marinated Lamb Kebabs with Tzatziki 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 Citrus-Marinated Lamb Kebabs with Tzatziki?
Greek 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.
