Palestinian-Inspired Lamb Kofta with Tahini Yogurt Sauce

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-30 · Updated 2026-04-30

Juicy grilled lamb kofta spiced with warm Middle Eastern seasonings, served with a creamy tahini yogurt sauce for a traditional flavor pairing. This middle eastern-inspired lamb ready in about 32 minutes pairs ground lamb, onion, grated, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 370 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
• 1/2 medium (about 1/4 cup) onion, grated
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 3 tbsp tahini
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 tbsp for grilling olive oil
• 1/2 tsp (optional garnish) sumac

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground lamb, 1/4 cup grated onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Mix gently until just combined.
2. Step 2: Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and shape each into a long oval kofta on skewers or as patties.
3. Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat and brush with 1 tbsp olive oil.
4. Step 4: Grill the kofta for 4-5 minutes per side until nicely charred on the outside and cooked through to medium (internal temperature 160°F).
5. Step 5: Meanwhile, whisk together 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 3 tbsp tahini, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and 2 tbsp water in a small bowl until smooth and creamy.
6. Step 6: Serve the lamb kofta hot drizzled with the tahini yogurt sauce and a sprinkle of 1/2 tsp sumac if using, alongside warm pita or salad.