Lamb Kofta Kebabs with Fresh Herb Tzatziki
Spiced ground lamb shaped into skewers and grilled, served with a refreshing cucumber and herb tzatziki sauce. This middle eastern-inspired lamb ready in about 32 minutes pairs pound ground lamb, small, grated onion, minced garlic cloves 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. 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 pound ground lamb
- 1 small, grated onion
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2, grated and drained cucumber
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon, chopped fresh dill
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 pound ground lamb, 1 small grated onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley. Mix gently until just combined.
- Step 2: Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and shape each around a skewer into a long oval kebab shape.
- Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Grill the lamb koftas for 4-5 minutes per side until nicely charred and cooked through.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, prepare the tzatziki by combining 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1/2 grated cucumber (drained of excess water), 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill in a bowl. Stir until smooth.
- Step 5: Serve the lamb kofta kebabs hot with a generous dollop of the fresh herb tzatziki on the side.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lamb Kofta Kebabs with Fresh Herb Tzatziki take to make?
Total time is about 32 minutes (20 min prep + 12 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 Lamb Kofta Kebabs with Fresh Herb 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 pound ground lamb from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lamb Kofta Kebabs with Fresh Herb 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 Lamb Kofta Kebabs with Fresh Herb 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 Lamb Kofta Kebabs with Fresh Herb Tzatziki?
Middle Eastern 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.
