Middle-Eastern Spiced Lamb Meatballs with Yogurt Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-27 · Updated 2026-04-27

Tender lamb meatballs seasoned with warm Middle Eastern spices served with a cooling garlic-yogurt sauce for dipping or drizzling. This Middle Eastern recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs ground lamb, onion, finely grated, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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 onion, finely grated
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp chili flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground lamb, 1 finely grated small onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp chili flakes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
2. Step 2: Shape the mixture into 16 equal-sized meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter.
3. Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through.
4. Step 4: Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
5. Step 5: Serve the lamb meatballs hot with the garlic-yogurt sauce drizzled on top or on the side for dipping.