Lamb Meatballs with Garlic and Cumin

An easy everyday recipe for lamb meatballs. Seasoned with garlic and cumin and cooked in olive oil, they are wonderfully flavorful!

Course Main Course

Cuisine Greek

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings servings

Calories 256kcal

Author Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

1 lb. ground lamb (85/15)
2 tablespoons Greek yogurt or sour cream
1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ cup chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

In a medium bowl, mix together all the ingredients except for the oil.
Using a 1.5-tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop out even portions of the mixture into a plate. I usually end up with 16 meatballs.
With wet hands for easier handling, shape each portion into a round meatball.
Heat the olive oil in a very large (14-inch) lidded skillet over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers and becomes fragrant, about 2 minutes.
Add the meatballs in a single layer and cook, turning frequently, until golden brown, 5 minutes. If oil becomes too hot, lower the heat to medium.
Add ¼ cup of water to the bottom of the skillet. Cover with the lid and cook the meatballs until cooked through (internal temperature should be 160° F), 2-3 more minutes.
Remove the meatballs from the skillet to a serving plate using a slotted spoon. Serve immediately.

Video

Notes

You can bake the meatballs for about 15 minutes at 400 degrees F instead of frying them. Arrange them on a rimmed parchment-lined baking sheet and spray them with olive oil prior to baking. However, I do prefer to sautee them. Cooking them in oil browns them nicely and the olive oil also adds great flavor.

If you'd like to make a quick yogurt sauce to go with the meatballs, mix ½ cup whole-milk plain Greek yogurt with 2 tablespoons chopped dill weed, 1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic, and ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt.

To ensure light and fluffy meatballs rather than dense and heavy ones, try to handle them lightly and minimally, both when working the spices into the meat and when shaping them.

Nutrition