These spiced lamb koftas are packed with flavour and perfect for a laid-back feast. Seasoned with warming spices and fresh herbs, they’re grilled until golden and served with soft flatbreads, cooling tzatziki, and all the fresh toppings you like.
It’s a hands-on meal that’s ideal for sharing — juicy lamb, garlicky yoghurt, crunchy veg, and a squeeze of lemon in every bite. Whether you’re cooking for friends or making a quick midweek dinner, these lamb koftas are guaranteed to go down a treat.
If you like these lamb koftas, you might also enjoy my Chicken Tikka Flatbreads – they’re packed with flavour and just as easy to throw together on a weeknight.
🍴 Tools You’ll Need
Mixing Bowls – Ideal for combining the kofta mix and whipping up your tzatziki. Go for a sturdy set like this one.
Grater or Microplane – Perfect for grating onion, garlic, and cucumber finely. A sharp one like this is super handy.
Non-stick Frying Pan or Grill Pan – Great for getting a nice sear on your koftas. Try something like this for even cooking.
Tongs or Spatula – Makes turning the koftas easier and keeps them intact. A simple pair like these will do the trick.
🍷 Wine Pairing
Spiced lamb and cooling tzatziki call for a bold yet balanced red – a juicy Grenache works beautifully, with soft tannins and ripe berry notes that complement the spices without overpowering the dish. Prefer white? A chilled Viognier offers floral, aromatic notes that pair nicely with the herbs and yoghurt.
Browse wine options on Amazon:
Search for Grenache
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Spiced Lamb Koftas with Tzatziki & Flatbreads
Ingredients
For the koftas:
- 250 g lamb mince
- 1 garlic clove minced
- ½ small red onion finely grated
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or mint
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil for cooking
For the tzatziki:
- 100 g Greek yoghurt
- ¼ cucumber grated and excess liquid squeezed out
- 1 small garlic clove crushed
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- A few mint leaves finely chopped
- Salt to taste
To serve:
- 2 flatbreads or pittas warmed
- Sliced red onion
- Cherry tomatoes halved
- Fresh mint or parsley leaves
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Start by making the kofta mix in a mixing bowl. Combine the lamb mince, grated onion (use a fine grater or microplane), garlic, spices, herbs, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together well with your hands, then shape into small oval koftas – about 4 to 6 depending on size.
- Heat a non-stick frying pan or grill pan over medium heat with a little olive oil. Add the koftas and cook for around 8–10 minutes, turning them with tongs or a spatula until browned and cooked through.
- While they’re cooking, make the tzatziki in another mixing bowl. Combine the Greek yoghurt with grated cucumber (squeeze out the liquid first), garlic, lemon juice, chopped mint, and a pinch of salt. Stir well and pop it in the fridge until serving.
- Warm the flatbreads, then layer on the koftas, dollops of tzatziki, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and herbs. Finish with a squeeze of lemon and tuck in while everything’s hot and fresh.
Top Tips for these Spiced Lamb Koftas
Grate the onion finely so it blends into the kofta mix and keeps the lamb juicy.
Chill the kofta mixture for 10 minutes if you have time – it helps them hold their shape while cooking.
Squeeze out excess water from the cucumber to stop your tzatziki going watery.
Don’t overcrowd the pan – cook the koftas in batches if needed so they brown evenly.