Spiced Lamb Kofta with Mint Yogurt
Juicy spiced lamb, charred on the outside and pink in the middle, with a cool mint yogurt that makes everything better.
Main Dish · Prep 20 min · Cook 12 min · Serves 4 · Medium · By Tina · Published
Ingredients
- 500 g ground lamb
- 1 small onion, grated, liquid squeezed out
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1.5 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander, ground
- 0.5 tsp cinnamon
- 0.25 tsp cayenne
- 3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 150 g Greek yogurt, for sauce
- 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped, for sauce
- 1 lemon, for sauce
Kofta is one of those things that sounds fancy but is basically just really good seasoned meatballs on a stick. If you can make a meatball, you can make kofta.
The spice mix is what makes these special — cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and a little bit of cayenne. It is warm and fragrant without being overwhelming. I add grated onion to the mix instead of chopped, which keeps the meat juicy and prevents those crunchy raw onion bits that nobody wants.
You can grill these, broil them, or cook them in a pan. They are forgiving and delicious any way you do it.
Pro Tips
- Grate the onion on a box grater and squeeze out the liquid. This is the juicy meat secret.
- Do not overwork the meat. Mix until just combined. Overworked lamb gets tough.
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes first so they do not catch fire.
- Let the meat mixture chill for 30 minutes before shaping. It holds together much better.
Serving
Serve in warm pita with the mint yogurt, pickled red onions, sliced cucumber, and a drizzle of tahini. Or skip the bread and serve over rice with a big salad.
More main dish recipes
- Spicy Tuna Rice Bowl (Easy · 15 min · serves 2)
A deconstructed spicy tuna roll in bowl form — sushi rice, creamy spicy tuna, avocado, and all the toppings.… - Spicy Vodka Rigatoni (Easy · 25 min · serves 4)
Creamy, spicy, and embarrassingly easy. This is the pasta that broke the internet and honestly? It deserves… - Sri Lankan Dhal Curry (Easy · 35 min · serves 4)
Creamy. Fragrant. Pure comfort. Red lentils simmered in coconut milk with curry leaves and a tempered spice… - Stuffed Bell Peppers (Easy · 45 min · serves 6)
Colorful bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of seasoned ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and melted… - Tater Tot Casserole (Easy · 40 min · serves 8)
A hearty, crowd-pleasing casserole with crispy tater tots baked over a savory ground beef and vegetable… - Teriyaki Chicken Bowl (Easy · 15 min · serves 4)
Glossy, sweet-savory, and completely irresistible. Homemade teriyaki that beats any takeout. Sticky chicken…