Turkish Lamb Köfte with Sumac Yogurt Drizzle
Juicy spiced lamb köfte grilled to perfection, served with a tangy sumac-infused yogurt sauce and fresh cucumber salad. This turkish-inspired lamb ready in about 32 minutes pairs ground lamb, medium onion, grated, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 medium onion, grated
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp sumac
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 medium cucumber, diced
- 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground lamb with 1 grated medium onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all spices are evenly distributed.
- Step 2: Shape the mixture into 8 oval-shaped köfte patties, about 3 inches long each.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the köfte patties for 4-5 minutes on each side until browned on the outside and cooked through to medium.
- Step 4: While the köfte cooks, prepare the yogurt sauce by mixing 1 cup plain Greek yogurt with 1 tbsp sumac and 1 tbsp lemon juice in a small bowl. Adjust salt to taste.
- Step 5: In another bowl, combine 1 diced medium cucumber with 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Toss lightly.
- Step 6: Serve the lamb köfte hot, drizzled generously with the sumac yogurt sauce, accompanied by the fresh cucumber salad.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Turkish Lamb Köfte with Sumac Yogurt Drizzle take to make?
Total time is about 32 minutes (20 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 Turkish Lamb Köfte with Sumac 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 ground lamb from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Turkish Lamb Köfte with Sumac 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 Turkish Lamb Köfte with Sumac 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 Turkish Lamb Köfte with Sumac Yogurt Drizzle?
Turkish 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.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
