Lamb Kofta With Tzatziki (Printable)

Spiced lamb skewers grilled and paired with cool cucumber-yogurt tzatziki, finished with lemon and fresh herbs.

# What You’ll Need:

→ For the Lamb Kofta

01 - 500 g ground lamb
02 - 1 small onion, finely grated
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
05 - 1 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1 tsp ground coriander
08 - ½ tsp ground cinnamon
09 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
10 - ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
11 - 1 tsp salt
12 - ½ tsp black pepper
13 - 1 tbsp olive oil

→ For the Tzatziki

14 - 200 g Greek yogurt
15 - ½ cucumber, finely grated and excess water squeezed out
16 - 1 clove garlic, minced
17 - 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
18 - 1 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
19 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
20 - 1 tbsp olive oil
21 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ To Serve

22 - Lemon wedges
23 - Fresh parsley or mint leaves
24 - Flatbreads (optional, not gluten-free)

# How To Make:

01 - In a large bowl, combine ground lamb, onion, garlic, parsley, mint, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, paprika, chili flakes (if using), salt, black pepper, and olive oil. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
02 - Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions. With damp hands, shape each portion around a metal or soaked wooden skewer into a long, oval sausage shape.
03 - Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates.
04 - Grill the kofta skewers for 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
05 - Meanwhile, make the tzatziki: In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, dill, mint, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
06 - Serve the lamb kofta hot with tzatziki, garnished with lemon wedges and fresh herbs. Optionally, add flatbreads on the side.

# Top Suggestions:

01 -
  • The juicy lamb, full of fragrant spices, gives each bite a flavor you just can't fake with a jarred blend.
  • Pairing it with homemade tzatziki creates that restaurant wow factor, but the steps are surprisingly easy to master at home.
02 -
  • If you skip squeezing the cucumber for tzatziki, the sauce will get runny and lose its appeal.
  • Letting the lamb mixture chill a bit before shaping really does help the flavors develop and the kofta hold together on the grill.
03 -
  • Metal skewers make for easier flipping and less worry about burning, but if using wood, soaking them first really is worth it to prevent charring.
  • A sprinkle of sumac over the finished kofta gives a lemony tang that elevates the dish even further—try it if you have some.
Go Back