Lamb Koftas Recipe

Introduction

Lamb koftas are flavorful, spiced meat patties that make a perfect meal for any occasion. Juicy and aromatic, they are excellent grilled and served with your favorite bread or salad. This recipe combines traditional spices with tender ground lamb for a truly satisfying dish.

Ingredients

• 2.2 lbs ground lamb (chilled, 1kg)
• 2 onions (yellow or red)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 tablespoons Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon red wine
• 1 tablespoon tomato puree
• ½ teaspoon garlic granules
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon sumac
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon cumin powder
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1½ teaspoons salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Put the ground lamb in the freezer for 15 minutes before starting. This helps with easier mixing and shaping.
2. Step 2: Blend the onions and olive oil together using a food processor or an immersion blender until smooth.
3. Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chilled lamb, blended onion and oil mixture, Greek yogurt, red wine, tomato puree, garlic granules, dried parsley, baking soda, sumac, paprika, cumin powder, black pepper, and salt. Mix everything thoroughly with your hands until fully incorporated.
4. Step 4: Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to develop.
5. Step 5: After chilling, shape the mixture into link sausage shapes, about 100 grams (½ cup) each.
6. Step 6: Preheat your grill to have a hot direct heat zone but avoid direct flames that would burn the koftas.
7. Step 7: Place the koftas on the grill, turning and flipping occasionally to cook evenly. Grill them until they have a nice char and are no longer pink inside.
8. Step 8: Serve warm with pita bread, wraps, or buns, and enjoy your flavorful lamb koftas!

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add finely chopped fresh mint or cilantro to the mixture before chilling.
• If you don’t have sumac, a squeeze of lemon juice added just before grilling can mimic its tangy effect.
• For a lighter option, you can substitute half the lamb with ground turkey or chicken.

Storage

Store cooked koftas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm them gently in a pan or oven to preserve their juiciness. You can also freeze uncooked koftas for up to 1 month and grill them directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to cooking time.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the koftas ahead of time?

Yes, shaping the koftas a day ahead and refrigerating them helps deepen the flavors. You can also freeze them after shaping for longer storage.

What can I serve with lamb koftas?

Lamb koftas pair wonderfully with pita bread, flatbreads, or wraps. They also go well with fresh salads, yogurt-based sauces like tzatziki, or roasted vegetables.

Lamb Koftas Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 95 reviews

Delicious and flavorful Lamb Koftas made from ground lamb mixed with aromatic spices and herbs, grilled to perfection for a juicy and charred finish. Perfect served with pita, wraps, or buns for a satisfying and savory meal.

• Author: Marco
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
• Yield: 8–10 koftas (100 grams each) 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 2.2 lbs ground lamb (chilled, 1kg)
• 2 onions (yellow or red)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 tablespoons Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon red wine
• 1 tablespoon tomato puree

Spices and Seasonings

• ½ teaspoon garlic granules
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon sumac
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon cumin powder
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1½ teaspoons salt

Instructions

1. Chill the Lamb: Place the ground lamb in the freezer for 15 minutes before starting to make it easier to handle and mix.
2. Prepare Onion Mixture: Blend the onions and olive oil together using a food processor or an immersion blender until well combined.
3. Mix All Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chilled ground lamb, blended onion and oil mixture, Greek yogurt, red wine, tomato puree, and all the spices. Mix thoroughly with your hands until fully incorporated.
4. Refrigerate the Mixture: Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to let the flavors meld and the mixture firm up.
5. Shape Koftas: Remove the mixture from the fridge and roll into link-shaped sausages, approximately 100 grams each (about ½ cup volume).
6. Preheat the Grill: Heat a grill to set up indirect and direct heat zones. Avoid cooking directly over flames to prevent charring the outside too quickly.
7. Grill the Koftas: Place the koftas on the grill over indirect heat. Turn and move them around periodically to cook evenly and develop a nice char, ensuring they are cooked through and no longer pink inside, approximately 10-15 minutes.
8. Serve and Enjoy: Serve the lamb koftas hot with pita bread, wraps, or buns, and enjoy a savory, smoky flavored meal.

Notes

• Chilling the ground lamb before mixing helps maintain the texture and makes it easier to shape the koftas.
• Blending the onions with oil ensures even distribution and moisture in the mixture.
• Allowing the mixture to rest in the fridge enhances the flavors and helps the koftas hold together while grilling.
• Grilling over indirect heat prevents burning and helps cook the koftas evenly inside.
• Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature if unsure; lamb is safe to eat at 160°F (71°C).

Keywords: lamb koftas, grilled lamb, Middle Eastern koftas, lamb sausages, lamb recipe, grilled meat, spicy lamb koftas