Pallas’s Cat-Inspired Spiced Lamb Kofta with Tzatziki
Flavorful ground lamb kofta spiced with warm Middle Eastern seasonings, served with a cool cucumber tzatziki sauce for a balanced and satisfying dish. This middle eastern-inspired lamb ready in about 35 minutes pairs 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 450 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 grated onion
- 2 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
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 grated and drained cucumber
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
- 1 minced for tzatziki garlic clove
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground lamb, 1 small grated onion, 2 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.
- Step 2: Shape the lamb mixture into 8 oval-shaped koftas, about 3 inches long each.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the koftas and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until evenly browned and cooked through to an internal temperature of 160°F.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, for the tzatziki, combine 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1/2 grated and drained cucumber, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill, and 1 minced garlic clove in a bowl. Mix well and chill until ready to serve.
- Step 5: Serve the lamb koftas hot with a generous dollop of the chilled tzatziki sauce.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pallas’s Cat-Inspired Spiced Lamb Kofta with Tzatziki take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 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 Pallas’s Cat-Inspired Spiced Lamb Kofta with 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 ground lamb from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pallas’s Cat-Inspired Spiced Lamb Kofta with 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 Pallas’s Cat-Inspired Spiced Lamb Kofta with 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 Pallas’s Cat-Inspired Spiced Lamb Kofta with 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.
