Description
Homemade Lamb Koftas are a flavorful and aromatic Middle Eastern dish made with ground lamb seasoned with cumin, coriander, garlic, and fresh parsley. These oval-shaped spiced meat patties are pan-fried to a golden brown perfection and served hot with pita bread or rice, making for a delicious and satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 500 grams Ground Lamb (Choose a quality cut for best flavor.)
- 1 medium Onion (Finely chopped and sautéed lightly.)
- 3 cloves Garlic (Minced for robust flavor.)
- 1 teaspoon Cumin Powder (Adds a warm, earthy note.)
- 1 teaspoon Coriander Powder (Contributes a citrusy flavor.)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley (Finely chopped for freshness.)
- 1 teaspoon Salt (Adjust to taste.)
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper (Freshly ground for subtle heat.)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (For cooking the koftas.)
To Serve
- Pita Bread or Rice (To serve with koftas.)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Gather all ingredients on your countertop to ensure a smooth cooking process.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground lamb with finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Make sure these are well incorporated.
- Add Spices: Sprinkle in the cumin powder and coriander powder, then mix thoroughly to evenly distribute the warm, earthy spices.
- Fold in Herbs and Seasoning: Add the finely chopped fresh parsley, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix until everything is well combined and aromatic.
- Shape Koftas: Form the mixture into elongated oval shapes with your hands, making each kofta uniform in size for even cooking.
- Preheat Skillet: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil, allowing it to warm but not smoke.
- Cook Koftas: Place the koftas in the skillet making sure they are not overcrowded to cook evenly; leave space to turn each one easily.
- Fry Each Side: Cook the koftas for 4-5 minutes on each side until they achieve a golden brown crust.
- Check Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the koftas reaches 160°F (70°C) to ensure they are fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Rest the Koftas: Remove the koftas from the skillet and let them rest for a few minutes to allow the juices to redistribute, keeping them juicy.
- Serve: Serve the hot lamb koftas alongside warm pita bread or fluffy rice for a complete, delicious meal.
Notes
- Ensure you do not overcrowd the skillet; cook koftas in batches if necessary for even browning.
- Using fresh parsley adds brightness and freshness to the meat mixture.
- Resting the koftas briefly after cooking helps them retain moisture and improves texture.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to your taste preference before cooking.
- For added flavor, you may serve with yogurt sauce or tahini on the side.
