Spiced Lamb Kofta Skewers

Ingredients

• 600g ground lamb
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small red onion, grated
• 1 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp pepper
• For the raita
• 150g Greek yoghurt
• ½ cucumber, grated and squeezed
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ tsp dried mint

Method

1. Skewer prep. Soak wooden skewers for 30 minutes.
2. Season the lamb. Combine the lamb, garlic, onion, herbs, and spices in a bowl.
3. Mix well. Work the mixture with your hands until it's a bit sticky. This helps it stay on the skewer!
4. Shape. Form the meat into long sausages around your skewers.
5. Make the raita. Mix the yoghurt, cucumber, garlic, and dried mint. Keep it in the fridge until you're ready to eat.
6. Grill. Cook on a hot griddle or BBQ for about 10 minutes. Turn them often so they brown evenly.
7. Enjoy. Serve while hot with the cool raita.

Why You’ll Love This

Koftas are a brilliant way to enjoy lamb on a low-carb diet. By using a blend of warm spices like cinnamon and cumin, you enhance the natural sweetness of the lamb without adding any sugar. The addition of fresh mint and the cool raita creates a wonderful temperature contrast that makes this a perfect meal for both summer and winter.

Tips & Swaps

• Beef koftas. You can substitute the lamb with ground beef if you prefer, but the flavour profile will be slightly different.
• Grating the onion. Make sure to grate the onion very finely. This releases its juices which keeps the lamb incredibly moist.
• Serving suggestion. These are excellent served with a side of buttery courgette ribbons or a simple Greek salad.

Key Takeaways

• Net carbs: 3g per serving — suitable for keto and low-carb diets
• Cook time: 25 minutes total (15 prep + 10 cook)
• Key ingredient: Ground lamb mixed with fresh mint and cumin (creates a vibrant, Middle-Eastern flavour without any added sugar).
• Best for: A protein-rich, aromatic dinner that’s beautifully balanced by a cool, homemade cucumber raita.