Grilled Senegalese-Style Spiced Lamb Skewers with Tamarind Glaze
Tender lamb skewers marinated in a vibrant blend of Senegalese spices and finished with a tangy tamarind glaze. This African-inspired lamb recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs olive oil, garlic cloves, ground ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 (450g) lamb leg, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp tamarind paste
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 8, soaked in water for 30 minutes wooden skewers
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground ginger, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb cubed lamb leg to the marinade, tossing to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, prepare the tamarind glaze by combining 2 tbsp tamarind paste, 1 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp water, and 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice in a small saucepan. Simmer over low heat for 5 minutes until slightly thickened, then remove from heat.
- Step 4: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread marinated lamb cubes onto the soaked wooden skewers, dividing evenly.
- Step 5: Grill the skewers for 3-4 minutes per side, turning until lamb is browned and cooked to desired doneness (medium rare to medium is recommended).
- Step 6: During the last minute of grilling, brush the tamarind glaze generously over the skewers to create a sticky, tangy coating.
- Step 7: Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with extra tamarind glaze on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Senegalese-Style Spiced Lamb Skewers with Tamarind Glaze 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 Senegalese-Style Spiced Lamb Skewers with Tamarind Glaze?
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 Senegalese-Style Spiced Lamb Skewers with Tamarind Glaze?
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 Senegalese-Style Spiced Lamb Skewers with Tamarind Glaze 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 Senegalese-Style Spiced Lamb Skewers with Tamarind Glaze?
African 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.
