Lamb Koftas Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- Chill the Lamb: Place the ground lamb in the freezer for 15 minutes before starting to make it easier to handle and mix.
- Prepare Onion Mixture: Blend the onions and olive oil together using a food processor or an immersion blender until well combined.
- 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.
- 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.
- Shape Koftas: Remove the mixture from the fridge and roll into link-shaped sausages, approximately 100 grams each (about ½ cup volume).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Find it online: https://cookcrisis.com/lamb-koftas-recipe/
