Tandoori-Spiced Lamb Meatballs with Cucumber Raita

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-16 · Updated 2026-05-16

Juicy lamb meatballs infused with tandoori spices served alongside a cooling cucumber raita, balancing spice and creaminess beautifully. This Indian-inspired lamb recipe, ready in about 27 minutes, pairs ground lamb, garlic cloves, minced, fresh ginger, grated for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp tandoori masala spice mix
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup cucumber, peeled and finely diced
• 2 tbsp fresh mint leaves, chopped
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground lamb with 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, 2 tbsp tandoori masala, 1 tsp red chili powder, and 1 tsp salt. Mix gently but thoroughly to combine.
2. Step 2: Shape the mixture into 16 small meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the meatballs for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
3. Step 3: While meatballs cook, prepare the cucumber raita by mixing 1 cup plain Greek yogurt with 1/2 cup finely diced cucumber, 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1/2 tsp ground cumin until well combined.
4. Step 4: Serve the warm lamb meatballs with a generous dollop of cucumber raita on the side to balance the spices and add a refreshing contrast.