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# Lamb Kofta — Middle Eastern Spiced Lamb Meatballs in Tallow
- URL: https://thefoodiekitchen.net/lamb-kofta-tallow/
- Published: 2026-09-10T09:10:39.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-12T07:42:41.000Z
- Description: Lamb kofta — spiced ground lamb meatballs grilled in tallow. Middle Eastern street food. Seed oil free. With tahini sauce.
- Author: Savannah Ryan
- Tags: Mediterranean Recipes, MAHA Recipes

Kofta are the meatballs of the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia — ground meat mixed with spices and aromatics, formed around a skewer and grilled or fried. The lamb version with cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and allspice is one of the great street foods across dozens of cuisines.

## Lamb Kofta Recipe

Serves

4

Prep

20 min

Cook

15 min

### Ingredients

- 600g (1.3 lb) ground lamb
- 1 small onion, very finely grated (squeeze out excess moisture)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground allspice
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- 3 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, minced
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 2 tbsp beef tallow (if pan-frying) or melted tallow for basting (if grilling)
- Tahini sauce: 100ml tahini, juice of 1 lemon, 60ml water, 1 garlic clove (minced), salt
- Flatbread, sliced tomato, and fresh herbs to serve

### Method

1. Combine the ground lamb with the grated onion, garlic, all spices, parsley, and salt. Knead the mixture with your hands for 2-3 minutes until it becomes sticky and holds together. This activates the proteins.
2. Wet your hands. Form the mixture into sausage shapes around flat metal skewers, pressing firmly. Alternatively, form into elongated patties for pan-frying.
3. To pan-fry: heat the tallow in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the kofta for 3-4 minutes per side until cooked through with a good crust.
4. To grill: brush with melted tallow. Grill over high heat for 3-4 minutes per side.
5. Make the tahini sauce: whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, and water. It will seize up, then loosen as you keep whisking. Add the garlic and season with salt.
6. Serve the kofta in warm flatbread with tahini sauce, sliced tomato, and fresh herbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is lamb kofta seed oil free?

Yes with tallow. Most restaurant kofta is grilled or cooked in vegetable oil.

Why knead the mixture?

Kneading activates myosin proteins in the ground lamb, making it sticky and cohesive. Without kneading, the kofta falls apart during cooking.

Can I use beef instead of lamb?

Yes — beef kofta is equally traditional throughout the Middle East and Turkey. Use the same spice blend.

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- [Seed oil free pantry — every fat, every brand](https://thefoodiekitchen.net/seed-oil-free-pantry-staples-amazon/)
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Savannah Ryan · Cookbook

Savor Mediterranean

Kofta, moussaka, bourguignon, carbonara — Mediterranean recipes in traditional fats.

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