Lamb Kofta with Tzatziki (Printable)

Spiced lamb skewers grilled to char, served with cool cucumber-dill tzatziki and lemon.

# Ingredient List:

→ Lamb kofta

01 - 1.1 lb ground lamb (about 500 g)
02 - 1 small onion, finely grated
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1 teaspoon ground coriander
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
11 - 1 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
13 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Tzatziki

14 - 7 oz Greek yogurt (about 3/4 cup)
15 - 1/2 cucumber, finely grated and excess liquid squeezed out
16 - 1 garlic clove, minced
17 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
18 - 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
19 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
20 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
21 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ To serve

22 - Lemon wedges
23 - Fresh parsley or mint leaves
24 - Flatbreads (optional; contains gluten)

# How to Make:

01 - In a large bowl, combine ground lamb, grated onion, minced garlic, parsley, mint, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, smoked paprika, optional chili flakes, salt, black pepper and olive oil. Mix thoroughly until evenly combined, using your hands or a spoon to develop a cohesive mixture.
02 - Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions. With damp hands, mold each portion around a metal skewer or a wooden skewer soaked in water, shaping into elongated, compact patties so they adhere to the skewer.
03 - Preheat a grill or heavy grill pan to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates or pan to prevent sticking.
04 - Place skewers on the hot grill and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally, until exterior is browned and an internal temperature of 71°C (160°F) is reached or juices run clear.
05 - While the meat cooks, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber (well drained), minced garlic, dill, mint, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl. Stir until smooth, taste and adjust seasoning, then refrigerate until ready to serve.
06 - Remove skewers from the grill and rest briefly. Serve hot with chilled tzatziki, lemon wedges and fresh herbs. Offer flatbreads on the side if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The juicy, spiced lamb melds perfectly with cool tzatziki, making every bite deeply satisfying.
  • It's the kind of meal that's secretly easy to prepare but always impresses a crowd.
02 -
  • Once, I skipped squeezing the cucumber and ended up with watered-down tzatziki—don’t make my mistake.
  • Marinating the lamb mixture for 30 minutes before shaping makes the spices bloom and the flavor richer.
03 -
  • If using wooden skewers, always soak them for at least 30 minutes so they won’t scorch on the grill.
  • Don’t move the kofta too soon on the grill—wait for that char to develop before flipping.
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