Vintage-Spiced Lamb Kebabs with Apricot Glaze

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-30 · Updated 2026-03-30

Tender lamb skewers marinated in a blend of ancient Middle Eastern spices and glazed with sweet apricot reduction for a balance of flavors. This middle eastern-inspired beef ready in about 45 minutes pairs lamb shoulder, onions, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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

• 1.5 lbs lamb shoulder
• 1 large onions
• 4 cloves garlic
• 2 tbsp pomegranate molasses
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp coriander
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup apricot preserves
• 1 tbsp honey

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat a grill to high heat. Cut 1.5 lbs lamb shoulder into 1-inch cubes. In a large bowl, combine the lamb with 1 finely diced onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp coriander, and 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Step 2: Thread the lamb onto skewers, alternating with slices of onion. Grill for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the meat is browned and nearly cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil to rest.
3. Step 3: In a small saucepan, mix 1/2 cup apricot preserves with 1 tbsp honey and 1 tbsp water. Simmer over low heat for 5 minutes until the mixture thickens into a glaze. Brush the glaze over the lamb skewers and serve immediately.