Pallas’s Cat-Inspired Spiced Lamb Kofta with Tzatziki

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-20 · Updated 2026-05-20

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 recipe, ready in about 35 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 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

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Instructions

1. 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.
2. Step 2: Shape the lamb mixture into 8 oval-shaped koftas, about 3 inches long each.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Step 5: Serve the lamb koftas hot with a generous dollop of the chilled tzatziki sauce.