Spiced Lamb Shawarma Skewers with Tahini Yogurt Drizzle
Juicy lamb chunks marinated in shawarma spices, grilled on skewers and served with a cooling tahini yogurt sauce. This middle eastern-inspired middle eastern ready in about 27 minutes pairs olive oil, ground cumin, ground coriander for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless lamb leg, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 3 tbsp tahini paste
- 2 tbsp water
- 2 tbsp chopped (for garnish) fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp ground coriander, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground allspice, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp ground turmeric, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tsp salt to form a marinade. Add 1.5 lbs 1-inch cubed boneless lamb leg and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Step 2: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread marinated lamb cubes onto metal or soaked wooden skewers.
- Step 3: Grill lamb skewers for 8-10 minutes, turning every 2-3 minutes, until lamb is cooked to desired doneness and has charred edges.
- Step 4: While lamb cooks, prepare tahini yogurt drizzle by whisking together 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 3 tbsp tahini paste, and 2 tbsp water until smooth and creamy.
- Step 5: Remove lamb skewers from heat and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve drizzled with tahini yogurt sauce and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Lamb Shawarma Skewers with Tahini Yogurt Drizzle take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 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 Spiced Lamb Shawarma Skewers with Tahini Yogurt Drizzle?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Lamb Shawarma Skewers with Tahini Yogurt Drizzle?
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 Spiced Lamb Shawarma Skewers with Tahini Yogurt Drizzle 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 Spiced Lamb Shawarma Skewers with Tahini Yogurt Drizzle?
Middle Eastern middle eastern 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Cooked for a dinner party and everyone asked for the recipe. The lamb was tender and the flavors were authentic.
- ★★★★★
Loved it! The spices were perfect and the yogurt drizzle made it special.
- ★★★★★
This recipe is a hit! My family devoured these shawarma skewers. The tahini yogurt drizzle was perfect.
