Moroccan Kefta Skewers (Minced Lamb Kebabs)
Why this recipe works
- Built-in seasoning: Grated onion and garlic disperse through the lamb, while cumin, paprika and coriander add warmth and freshness without needing a marinade.
- Secure shaping: Mixing the lamb until slightly tacky helps the kefta grip the skewers and hold their shape on the grill.
- Fast grilling: The long, narrow shape gives plenty of surface area for browning while keeping the cooking time short.
Get the most out of this recipe
Authenticity notes
- Moroccan-style seasoning: Kefta in Moroccan cooking commonly combines minced meat with onion, herbs and warm spices such as cumin and paprika.
- Everyday format: Shaping the mixture onto skewers makes it well suited to grilling and easy to serve with bread, salads and sauces.
Ingredient notes
- Choose lamb with some fat: Very lean minced lamb can cook up drier; a little fat helps the skewers stay juicy and brown well.
- Use fresh herbs where possible: Fresh coriander gives the kefta a brighter finish than dried herbs, which are more muted once grilled.
- Paprika changes the profile: Sweet paprika keeps the flavour rounded and mild, while smoked paprika adds a deeper charred note.
Texture tips
- Rest before serving: A short rest after grilling lets the juices settle, so the kefta stay moist when served.
- Turn regularly: Rotating the skewers every couple of minutes helps them brown evenly without drying at the edges.
Serving ideas
- Serve with fresh sides: Flatbreads, tomato and cucumber salad, couscous or pickled vegetables all work well with the rich lamb.
- Add a cooling sauce: A yoghurt-based sauce, tahini dressing or a little harissa gives contrast and makes the skewers feel more complete.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Coarsely grate the onion into a mixing bowl, then grate in the garlic. Finely chop the fresh coriander and add it to the bowl.
- Add the minced lamb, ground cumin, sweet paprika, fine sea salt, black pepper and olive oil. Mix vigorously for 1 to 2 minutes until the mixture looks slightly sticky and holds together well.
- Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and shape each one firmly around a skewer into a long sausage shape. Press and smooth the surface so it is even, which helps it cook uniformly.
- Heat the grill to medium-high and lightly oil the grill bars with a little olive oil on kitchen paper. Grill the skewers for 8 to 12 minutes, turning every couple of minutes, until browned all over and cooked through.
- Rest the kefta for 5 minutes before serving so the juices settle. Serve hot.
Recipe notes
Tips
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 20 minutes before shaping the kefta to reduce scorching on the grill.
- Mixing the lamb until it turns slightly tacky helps the kebabs cling to the skewers and stay juicy.
- Food safety: if serving anyone who is pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised, cook the lamb until piping hot all the way through.
Substitutions
- Replace fresh coriander with fresh flat-leaf parsley for a milder, less citrusy herb note.
- Replace sweet paprika with smoked paprika for a deeper, smokier flavour.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Cool leftovers quickly, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Reheat on a medium grill or in a hot frying pan with a little olive oil until piping hot; freeze cooked kebabs for up to 2 months and defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Ratings & reviews
Liked this recipe? Share your feedback to support our cooking community.
Tried this recipe?
Choose 1–5 stars. A comment is optional.
Stay inspired
Discover new recipes, seasonal favourites and cooking inspiration every day. Follow JustRecipes on Pinterest and Spillt.
Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 45min (30min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Moroccan
Plan your meals and get a complete grocery list automatically.
Add to meal plannerEquipment you'll need
Got ingredients left?
Find recipes using ingredients from this recipe or what you already have at home.
Find recipes with these ingredients →
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Golden air-fried chicken tenders with a seasoned breadcrumb coating.
Thai Herb Chicken Skewers (Oven)
Oven-roasted Thai chicken skewers with lemongrass and lime
Souvlaki (Greek Pork Skewers with Tzatziki)
Greek pork skewers grilled and served with yoghurt cucumber tzatziki
Lamb Kofta Platter with Tahini Lemon Sauce and Salad
Lamb kofta platter with tahini lemon sauce and salad
Grilled Halloumi Skewers with Courgette and Red Pepper
Grilled halloumi skewers with courgette, red pepper and oregano
Air Fryer Satay Chicken
Air-fried satay chicken with peanut, lime and soy sauce.
Königsberger Klopse (Meatballs in Caper Sauce)
Poached veal meatballs in a creamy caper and lemon sauce
Air Fryer Vietnamese Pork Skewers
Juicy pork skewers with lemongrass, fish sauce and garlic.
Pork Saltimbocca alla Romana (Pork with Prosciutto and Sage)
Pan-fried pork with prosciutto, sage and white wine butter sauce
Senfbraten (Mustard-Crusted Pork Roast with Pan Gravy)
Mustard-crusted pork roast with pan gravy
Porchetta Arrosto con Patate (Italian Roast Pork Belly and Potatoes)
Roast pork belly with potatoes, rosemary and fennel seeds
Milanesa Napolitana (Argentinian Beef Schnitzel with Ham and Mozzarella)
Crisp beef schnitzel topped with ham and melted mozzarella
Moroccan Lamb Kofta Traybake with Peppers and Tomatoes
Traybaked lamb kofta with peppers, tomatoes, lemon and coriander
Turkish Spiced Lamb Meatball Traybake with Peppers and Tomatoes
Lamb meatball traybake with peppers, tomatoes, cumin and paprika
Moroccan Shakshuka with Harissa (Modern)
Poached eggs in spicy tomato and red pepper sauce
Turkish Stuffed Courgettes with Minced Lamb and Rice
Courgettes stuffed with minced lamb and rice in tomato sauce
Kefta Tagine (Meatballs in Tomato Sauce)
Spiced beef meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce
Köfte (Turkish Beef Meatballs)
Pan fried Turkish beef meatballs with garlic, spices and lemon
You might also like
Daoud Basha (Lebanese Meatballs in Tomato and Tamarind Sauce)
Lebanese beef meatballs simmered in tomato and tamarind sauce
Lokma (Turkish Fried Dough Bites in Lemon Syrup)
Fried dough bites soaked briefly in lemon syrup
Dulce De Leche (Caramelised Milk Spread)
Thick caramelised milk spread made from milk and sugar
Lamb Nihari (Slow-Cooked Shank Stew)
Slow-cooked lamb shank stew with a richly spiced gravy
Holiday Picadillo (Sweet and Savoury Minced Beef Stew)
Minced beef picadillo with tomatoes, olives and raisins
Hummus Platter with Spiced Olive Oil, Pitta and Vegetables
Hummus platter with spiced olive oil, pitta and vegetables
Make this recipe easier next time
AdvertisementThese tools help you get better results with less effort.
KitchenAid Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
- Non-slip base
- Stainless steel
- Not microwave safe
Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowls with Lids
- Microwave safe
- BPA-free lids
- Glass is heavier
OXO Good Grips Stainless Mixing Bowl Set
- Non-slip base
- Comfort grip
- Higher price
Enjoy cooking with JustRecipes?
Add JustRecipes as one of your preferred Google sources to discover our recipes more easily across Google Search.
Add JustRecipes to GoogleEvery recipe on JustRecipes follows the same structured editorial process. Learn how recipes are created, validated, translated, illustrated, and continuously improved across the platform. How we create recipes.
