Lebanese-Inspired Lamb Kofta Meatballs with Tzatziki Dip

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-01 · Updated 2026-07-01

Juicy lamb meatballs infused with Middle Eastern spices, served with a refreshing cucumber-tzatziki sauce to balance the rich flavors. This Middle Eastern-inspired lamb recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs ground lamb, onion, garlic cloves 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.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground lamb
• 1 small, finely grated onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup, finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 medium, grated and drained cucumber
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp, chopped fresh dill

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground lamb, 1 small grated onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
2. Step 2: Shape the mixture into 16 evenly sized meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until browned and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 160°F.
4. Step 4: While the meatballs cook, prepare the tzatziki dip by combining 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1/2 grated and drained cucumber, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill in a small bowl. Stir until smooth and refrigerate until serving.
5. Step 5: Serve the lamb kofta meatballs warm with a side of the chilled tzatziki sauce for dipping.