Moroccan-Spiced Lamb Meatballs with Yogurt Sauce

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-25 · Updated 2026-04-25

Juicy lamb meatballs seasoned with warm Moroccan spices served alongside a cooling garlic yogurt sauce for a perfect flavor contrast. This middle eastern-inspired lamb ready in about 30 minutes pairs ground lamb, onion, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 390 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
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh mint

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, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
2. Step 2: Shape the mixture into 18 meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through.
4. Step 4: Meanwhile, stir together 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint in a bowl.
5. Step 5: Serve the lamb meatballs warm with the yogurt sauce spooned over or alongside.