I love these Lamb Koftas with bold Middle Eastern flavors and cool yogurt sauce. I could eat the sauce with a spoon straight from the bowl – it’s that good! This recipe is super easy and ready in less than 30 minutes. Cha-Ching!
What are Koftas?
Koftas are a Middle Eastern/Southeast Asian dish that is prepared with ground meat and spices. The meat is usually formed into a cigar shape on a skewer or into a ball. You can grill koftas in a grill pan or on a gas or charcoal grill, bake or roast them.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
- Ground Lamb – You can also use ground beef or chicken.
- Scallions and Garlic
- Spices – Cumin, coriander, paprika, salt and pepper.
- Other Mix-ins – There are many kofta variations. Other possible mix-ins include: onion, parsley, cilantro, all-spice, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and mint.
Play with it and have some fun!
The Yogurt Sauce
The cumin, coriander and paprika make the koftas rich and deliciously aromatic. The lemony yogurt sauce is the perfect compliment. It is made with Greek yogurt (I recommend full fat), extra virgin olive oil, garlic, cumin, lemon juice and chopped mint. The lemon and mint add a cool freshness that balances the kofta spices. Don’t overdue the garlic – it will overpower the sauce.
Preparation
You don’t have to skewer the koftas. If you do, you can use any type of skewer. If you are using wooden skewers, you will want to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes so they don’t burn while cooking.
Both the lamb koftas and the yogurt sauce can be prepared in advance which make this a great dish for entertaining or for a busy weeknight. Koftas also make a great appetizer for your next party. Just platter the skewers and serve the yogurt sauce in a bowl alongside the koftas.
What to Serve with Lamb Koftas
There are so many great options! Herb Roasted Tomatoes, Hummus, Quinoa Chickpea Salad, Mashed Cauliflower, bread with tabbouleh, rice pilaf, green salad, or Creamy Feta Orzo.
Equipment
Skewers
1 medium and 1 small bowl
PrintLamb Koftas with Yogurt Sauce
Description
Ground lamb with Middle Eastern spices, grilled and served with a cool yogurt sauce. A perfect week night main or appetizer.
Ingredients
The Koftas
- 1 pound ground lamb
- 2 scallions, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons coriander
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
The Yogurt Sauce
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 small clove garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
The Koftas
- Add the ground lamb and remaining ingredients (scallion, garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, salt and pepper) in a medium bowl. Mix well to combine. Divide the meat mixture in to 6-8 equal parts and roll into 6-8 cigar shaped forms. Insert the skewers through one end about half way up the meat.
- Heat a grill pan or skillet on medium-high heat. Spray with olive oil cooking spray. Add the koftas to the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning to evenly brown all over. The cooking time will depend on the size of the skewers. Plate and drizzle with the yogurt sauce.
Equipment
Notes
You can make 4 large skewers, 6 medium or 8 small depending on how many people you are feeding and how substantial your sides are.
I put a piece of parchment paper on the counter before forming the “cigars” to prevent the meat from sticking to the pan.
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