Kofta Meshwiya (Grilled Spiced Lamb Skewers)
Why this recipe works
- Skewer-ready texture: Mixing the lamb until tacky helps the kofta hold firmly around the skewers and stay succulent on the grill.
- Warm, savoury seasoning: Cumin, coriander, allspice, garlic and parsley season the lamb throughout rather than just on the surface.
- Freshness against richness: Lemon wedges and the cumin yoghurt sauce cut through the richness of the lamb and keep each bite balanced.
Get the most out of this recipe
Ingredient notes
- Squeeze the onion well: Removing excess onion liquid helps the kofta mixture bind properly and prevents it from becoming too loose on the skewers.
- Choose lamb with some fat: Minced lamb that is not overly lean gives a juicier result and better browning on the grill.
- Use fresh herbs: Fresh parsley brings lift and colour; dried parsley will not give the same clean, herbal finish.
Common mistakes
- Mixture too loose: If the lamb feels wet or crumbly, keep mixing briefly until it becomes cohesive and slightly sticky before shaping.
- Dry kofta: Grill just until browned and cooked through; prolonged cooking can drive out the fat and make the skewers dry.
- Poor browning: Leave space between skewers so the heat can circulate and the kofta brown rather than steam.
Make-ahead tips
- Make the mixture in advance: The lamb mixture can be prepared ahead and kept chilled until ready to shape and grill.
- Shape close to cooking: For the neatest skewers, shape the kofta shortly before grilling, especially if using wooden skewers.
- Reheat without drying: Reheat cooked kofta on a hot grill or in a 200°C (390°F) oven until piping hot, then serve with fresh yoghurt sauce.
Serving ideas
- Serve with flatbreads or rice: Warm flatbreads, herbed rice or a simple chopped salad make the skewers feel like a complete meal.
- Add fresh herbs: Extra parsley or fresh coriander adds brightness just before serving.
- Finish with resting juices: Spoon the resting juices over the hot kofta before serving for extra savoury flavour.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Kofta
Cumin yoghurt sauce and serving
Instructions
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 20 minutes. Heat the grill to medium-high and clean and oil the grates.
- Grate the onion on the coarse side of a grater, then squeeze out as much liquid as you can. Finely grate the garlic and finely chop the parsley.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the minced lamb with the onion, garlic, parsley, ground cumin, ground coriander, allspice, olive oil, fine sea salt and black pepper. Mix with your hands for 1 to 2 minutes until tacky and well combined.
- Divide the mixture into 8 portions and shape each one into a long sausage around a skewer, pressing firmly so it adheres. Make the kofta an even thickness so they cook at the same rate.
- Grill the kofta for 8 to 10 minutes, turning every couple of minutes, until browned all over and cooked through. They should feel firm and the juices should run clear.
- While the kofta cook, stir the greek yogurt with the ground cumin, a pinch of fine sea salt, and the juice of half the lemon. Cut the remaining lemon into wedges for serving.
- Rest the kofta for 2 minutes, then serve hot with lemon wedges and the cumin yoghurt sauce alongside. Spoon any resting juices over the kofta.
Recipe notes
Tips
- For juicier kofta, mix the lamb until it turns slightly sticky; this helps it bind to the skewers and stay succulent on the grill.
- If you are serving children or anyone vulnerable, make sure the lamb is cooked through and piping hot all the way to the centre.
Substitutions
- Replace Fresh parsley with Fresh coriander for a more citrusy, herbal flavour.
- Replace Greek yogurt with Yogurt for a looser, lighter sauce.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Cool the cooked kofta quickly, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat on a hot grill or in a 200°C (390°F) oven until piping hot; the yoghurt sauce is best made fresh, but will keep chilled for up to 2 days.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 40min (25min active)
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
-
Allergens:
Milk
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