Description
Juicy and aromatic Lamb Kofta Kebabs feature perfectly seasoned ground lamb molded around skewers and grilled to perfection. These Middle Eastern-inspired kebabs are tender on the inside with a delicious charred exterior, making them an irresistible meal option.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1/4 cup onion, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 lbs ground lamb
- 8 bamboo skewers
Instructions
- Prepare the Skewers: Soak 8 bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes, then pat them dry. This important step prevents the skewers from burning during grilling and ensures they maintain their integrity while cooking the kebabs.
- Mix the Seasonings: In a large bowl, stir together the grated onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, chopped dill, cumin, sea salt, and black pepper until well combined. These aromatics and spices will infuse the lamb with traditional Middle Eastern flavors.
- Prepare the Meat Mixture: Add the ground lamb to the seasoning mixture and mix gently until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix, as this can make the kebabs tough rather than tender. The mixture should be cohesive but still light in texture.
- Form the Kebabs: Divide the meat mixture into 16 equal portions. Take each portion and mold it around a bamboo skewer, forming a sausage shape about a few inches long and 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. Place 2 portions per skewer, leaving 1-2 inches of space between them for even cooking.
- Grill the Kebabs: Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates. Place the prepared skewers on the grill and cook for 3 minutes. Flip and continue cooking for another 3-5 minutes depending on your desired level of doneness: approximately 2 minutes for medium-rare, 3 minutes for medium, 4 minutes for medium-well, or 5 minutes for well-done.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the cooked lamb kofta kebabs to rest for a few minutes before serving. This resting period helps the juices redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in more flavorful and juicy kebabs.
Notes
- Serve these kebabs with warm pita bread, tzatziki sauce, hummus, or a fresh Greek salad for a complete meal.
- For added flavor, you can include 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon or allspice to the meat mixture.
- If you don’t have a grill, these kebabs can also be cooked in the oven at 425°F (220°C) for about 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through.
- For the best texture, use lamb with about 20% fat content.
- These kebabs can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 kebabs
- Calories: 450kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
