Tender ground lamb combined with seasonings, breadcrumbs and garlic formed into a tender skewered meatball, and then perfectly grilled. Herby Green Goddess dressing is the perfect dipping sauce for this barbecued Kofta Kebab Recipe.
This recipe is sponsored by the American Lamb Board. All opinions are my own.
Why This Recipe Works
Kofta is essentially a meatball. Kofta Kebabs are made of ground meat shaped into a ball or formed onto a skewer. Here we are making them from a tender and delicious American lamb. This recipe works because it comes together quickly and can be made in under 30 minutes. The flavors work together to create a gourmet flavor without slaving over the stove all day. Let us show you how to make this dish perfectly.
About The Ingredients
This recipe consists of two parts - the kofta kebabs and the green goddess dressing. Let me review them separately.
Kofta Kebab Recipe Ingredients
Ground American Lamb - when selecting a cut of lamb, always choose American. By doing so you are getting high quality meat, and also supporting ranchers here in the US.
Garlic - make sure you are using fresh garlic cloves in this recipe, it really brings a brightness to the dish.
Bread crumbs - use a plain bread crumb rather than Italian seasoned. We will be adding our own seasonings.
Green Goddess Dressing
Greek Yogurt - opt for plain greek yogurt and make sure its full fat. This really adds to the richness of the dressing.
Kalamata olives - most green goddess recipes are made with anchovies. I've chosen to sub the anchovies for kalamata olives. They have the same salty and briny flavor and really round off the dressing.
Fresh Herbs - lots of fresh herbs like parsley, chives, cilantro and dill.
A complete list of ingredients is located in the recipe card below.
How To Make Kofta Kebabs
This recipe comes together quickly, let me show you how to do it step by step.
Kofta Kebabs
Step 1: In a large bowl add your American lamb. This recipe can be halved, or doubled. It works great to freed a crowd!
Step 2: Add your seasonings, bread crumbs, eggs, and garlic. With clean hands mix the ground lamb and other ingredients together well.
Step 3: Form into an oval shaped meatball around a wooden or metal skewer.
Step 4: Grill over medium-high heat for 7-10 minutes, turning once. Internal temperature should be 160 degrees fahrenheit.
Green Goddess Dressing
Step 5: In a blender jar, add your liquids - green yogurt, olive oil, and lemon juice and zest.
Step 6: Add in your seasonings and kalamata olives. The olives are a sub for sardines. They add a nice salty brined flavor that mimics the fish in the original recipe.
Step 7: Add in your herbs.
Step 8: Blend until smooth.
Let's Chat American Lamb
With April being Earth month, I want to touch on the benefits of sheep grazing and how it is helping to protect the environment. American Lamb farmers and ranchers use practices that improve the land, as well as improve animal well-being. Did you now that sheep actually improve pastures by cycling nutrients back into the soil? They also help combat erosion and encourage native plant growth. Sheet can graze in a variety of climates, even areas that might not seem suitable for grazing.
American Lamb is raised by farmers and ranchers who are concerned about caring for to the land, the animals, and the local communities they serve across America. When you choose American Lamb, you support the nation’s shepherds and their families and help to sustain working farmland and farm communities. You get a high quality and delicious meat, and you are also supporting so many good programs and families.
Kofta FAQ
Kofta is made with ground meat, seasonings, and bread crumbs. Think of it as a meatball on a stick.
While both are a skewered meat, kofta is generally made of ground meat and mixed with other ingredients while This Kebabs are often chunks of meat threaded on a skewer.
This dish will keep in the fridge for 3-5 days in an airtight container.
Yes! You can mix the meat and form them onto skewers up to 24 hours ahead. Store in the fridge in an airtight container and grill when ready. You can also freeze kofta before it is cooked. Allow to completely thaw before grilling.
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Kofta Kebab Recipe with Green Goddess Sauce
Equipment
- Grill (gas or charcoal)
Ingredients
Kofta
- 2 lb American ground lamb
- 1 egg
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon onion salt
Green Goddess Sauce
- 1 cup plain greek yogurt
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 cloves garlic
- ¼ cup pitted Kalamata olives drained
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup fresh parsley
- ½ cup fresh chives
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro
- ½ cup fresh dill
Instructions
Kofta
- In a large bowl combine ground lamb, egg, minced garlic, bread crumbs, chili powder, black pepper, cumin, salt, and onion salt. With clean hands mix together well.
- Form into 2oz portion oval meatballs. Insert a skewer into the meatball and press around the skewer.
- Grill over medium-high heat on a gas or charcoal grill, cooking about 5 minutes on each side, or until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.
Green Goddess Sauce
- Combine all ingredients in a blender jar. Blend until smooth.
- Serve with kofta kebabs.
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