Herb-Crusted Lamb Kofta with Cumin-Spiced Rice
Tender lamb skewers infused with fresh herbs, served over fragrant rice spiced with cumin and toasted almonds. This mediterranean-inspired beef ready in about 55 minutes pairs ground lamb, fresh parsley, fresh mint for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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
- 1/4 cup, finely chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp, finely chopped fresh mint
- 1/2 cup, finely minced red onion
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 cup short-grain rice
- 2 tbsp, slivered almonds
- 2 cups chicken stock
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine ground lamb, chopped parsley, mint, minced red onion, 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Mix gently with hands until just combined, then form into 1-inch meatballs and skewer onto 4 bamboo sticks.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add skewered kofta and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Set aside.
- Step 3: In a rice cooker, combine rice, 2 cups chicken stock, 1/2 tsp cumin seeds, and 1/4 tsp salt. Cook on 'white rice' setting. While rice cooks, toast slivered almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes until golden. Once rice is cooked, fluff with a fork, stir in toasted almonds, and serve alongside kofta.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Crusted Lamb Kofta with Cumin-Spiced Rice take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 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 Herb-Crusted Lamb Kofta with Cumin-Spiced Rice?
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 Herb-Crusted Lamb Kofta with Cumin-Spiced Rice?
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 Herb-Crusted Lamb Kofta with Cumin-Spiced Rice 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 Herb-Crusted Lamb Kofta with Cumin-Spiced Rice?
Mediterranean beef 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The herb crust was perfect, and the cumin rice made the whole meal special. My husband loved it!
- ★★★★★
Simple to make and so flavorful! The kofta was juicy and the rice had a wonderful depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Great recipe for a weeknight dinner! The lamb was tender and the rice was fragrant. Only thing I'd change is to use more herbs on the kofta.
