FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You Need My Kofta Kebab Recipe
• What Is Kofta?
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Lamb Kofta
• My Recipe Tips
• Storage & Meal Prep
• Serving Ideas
• More Lamb Recipes
• Lamb Kofta Kebab (15-Min Recipe) Recipe card
• Gratitude Moment
• Recipe Reviews

You might wonder, what on earth can a girl who grew up in the Midwest possibly know about kofta kebab ? I’ve actually been eating this food for as long as I can remember. For years, my parents brought me to this little authentic restaurant owned by immigrants from “the Stans” (the region of countries with the Persian root “istan”) — it was a go-to for Slavic families like ours for celebrations. Later, when my husband and I visited Israel, I experienced probably the best lamb kofta I’ve ever had. Can’t beat authentic Middle Eastern food! It was juicy, perfectly spiced, and ironically, at the most unassuming casual spot.

That’s what my own kofta recipe is all about. It may look like an unassuming burger on a stick, but it tastes like so much more than that. Make it with me for your own taste of the Middle East at home!

Why You Need My Kofta Kebab Recipe

• Juicy ground lamb with Middle Eastern flavors – My lamb kofta is browned on the outside and juicy on the inside. But just as important, it hits the right herby, spiced notes I remember from the authentic ones I’ve had.
• 6 simple ingredients – Plus salt and pepper. Many kofta dishes use a longer spices list than mine, and you certainly can, but I kept it simple with just the basics that capture the most important flavors.
• Food on a stick – Sure, you could form the meat into a lamb burger . I just think skewers are way more fun! (If you agree, don’t miss my Greek souvlaki and chicken kabobs , too.)
• Ready in 15 minutes – My lamb kebab is the perfect grilling recipe for busy summer evenings. The hardest part is picking your side dishes , but I’ve got you covered below.

What Is Kofta?

Kofta (or kefta) is an oval-shaped meatball (or little meatloaf) on a stick, made with minced meat (beef, lamb, or chicken), fresh herbs, spices, and aromatics. Its origins are Persian, but today it’s common in the Middle East and Mediterranean. The best ones I’ve ever had were in Israel!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my kofta recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Ground Lamb – The star of the dish! Technically you can use ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken, but I think lamb makes the best kofta kebab. I recommend meats with a higher fat content (around 20%), so they stay juicy.
• Onion – I borrowed the little trick of adding grated onions from my mom, who always adds them to her ground meats. They keep the meat extra juicy and add flavor. Just grate with a box grater. I usually use a white onion here, but yellow or red onions would also work great.
• Garlic – I highly recommend freshly minced cloves of garlic. But, I once made this kofta recipe using a teaspoon of jarred garlic and it was still amazing.
• Fresh Herbs – Including fresh parsley and fresh dill. Fresh mint would also make a nice addition.
• Cumin – In my opinion, this is the most important seasoning for kofta kebab. You can also experiment with other classic spices, like paprika, coriander, allspice, cinnamon, or cardamom — I recommend about 1/2 teaspoon of each if you want to add any of these.
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper – If you like a kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper, too.

How To Make Lamb Kofta

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Soak your skewers. Before you begin, soak your bamboo skewers in water for half an hour. This is important to prevent them from catching fire on the grill! (You can also use metal skewers, but I prefer wooden ones because they heat more evenly.)
2. Mix the seasonings. In a large bowl, stir together the grated onion, minced garlic, chopped herbs, cumin, salt, and pepper.
3. Add the meat. Add the ground lamb and mix until just combined.

1. Form onto skewers. Divide the ground meat mixture into 16 sections. Mold the sections around bamboo skewers. You’ll fit 2 sections of meat per skewer, about 1-2 inches apart.
2. Grill to perfection. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates. Place the kofta kebab on the grill and cook, until browned on both sides and done to your liking. (See my tips below!)

My Recipe Tips

• Do not over-mix the meat. Overmixing can cause the proteins in the meat to bind tightly together, resulting in a tougher kofta kebab. In fact, this is so important that I stir all the other ingredients together first, before adding the lamb. This minimizes the amount of mixing needed to get everything incorporated.
• Having trouble working with the meat mixture? It can be a little wet and sticky. I find it helpful to wet my hands with water or oil before forming around the skewers. If you still have trouble, you can refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes to make it easier to work with.
• Be careful not to overcook. Some people think lamb tastes gamey when overcooked. I find this is less of an issue with ground lamb, but it can still get dry! Although I have cook times on the recipe card below, I highly recommend using a meat thermometer ( I love this one ) and going by the internal temperature if you can. Aim for 120 degrees F for rare, 130 degrees F for medium rare, 140 degrees F for medium, 150 degrees F for medium well, or 160 degrees F for well done.
• Time can vary depending on thickness. I form the meat to be about 1 inch thick for quick cooking.
• Don’t have a grill or having a rainy day? You can make this recipe on a cast iron grill pan on the stove instead. I don’t recommend nonstick pans — they won’t get you the same results. You can also bake in the oven, but you’ll miss out on the nice browning.
• Rest before serving. Like virtually all my meat recipes, I recommend letting your kofta kebab rest. This lets the juices redistribute and improves the final texture.

Storage & Meal Prep

• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.
• Meal prep: I actually meal prep this kofta recipe more often than I make it fresh, lol. You can prepare the lamb mixture, form it onto the skewers, place on a sheet pan covered in foil, and keep in the fridge for 1-2 days. Then it will take only a few minutes to cook your dinner the day-of!
• Reheat: You can warm up the lamb kofta on the grill again (this time over indirect heat), but reheating I usually pop it in the oven at 350 degrees F or even microwave it if I’m in a rush.
• Freeze: Remove the kebabs from their skewers, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and freeze in a zip lock bag for up to 3-4 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Serving Ideas

I recommend serving this lamb kofta recipe with Middle Eastern or Mediterranean inspired side dishes. I’ve got lots of options:

• Dipping Sauce – My favorite sauce is a cool and creamy tzatziki sauce , pictured near the top of this post. This dish is also amazing with tahini sauce , plain Greek yogurt, or hummus (I even like it with cauliflower hummus ).
• Vegetables – While the grill is still going, you might as well cook up some grilled eggplant or grilled zucchini . They work really well with the flavors of the kofta.
• Salad – Try my classic Greek salad with cucumbers and tomatoes (simple version of this shown above), or add chickpeas for my upgraded Mediterranean salad .
• Starches – I usually skip these if I’m being honest, but rice and pita bread were certainly always included in every authentic place I’ve eaten kofta kebab. You can even make my almond flour pita bread or Greek lemon potatoes for grain-free options.

More Lamb Recipes

I’m a big fan of lamb! Whether you love it too or are just dipping your toes in, my other easy lamb recipes will win you over:

Grilled Lamb Chops

Roasted Leg Of Lamb

Baked Lamb Chops

Homemade Gyros

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 1/4 cup Onion (grated) ▢
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced) ▢
• 1 tbsp Fresh parsley (chopped) ▢
• 1 tbsp Fresh dill (chopped) ▢
• 1 tsp Cumin ▢
• 1 1/2 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper ▢
• 2 lbs Ground lamb ▢
• 8 Bamboo skewers ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Soak 8 bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes . Pat dry.
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, stir together all ingredients except the lamb. Add the lamb and mix until just combined. Do not over-mix.
3. Divide the meat into 16 sections. Mold each section of meat around a bamboo skewer, making it a few inches long and about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. You’ll fit 2 sections of meat per skewer, about 1-2 inches apart.
4. Preheat the grill (or a grill pan on the stove) to medium-high heat and oil the grates lightly. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 3 minutes . Flip and cook for 3-5 more minutes , to desired level of doneness. Time on the second side will be about 2 minutes for medium rare, 3 minutes for medium, 4 minutes for medium-well, or 5 minutes for well done.
5. Let the lamb kofta kebab rest for a few minutes before serving.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size : 2 lamb kofta pieces (1 skewer)

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Kofta Kebab Recipe

Gratitude Moment

We visited Israel in 2012 for a wedding (here’s me on that trip), and it was such a different vibe. Of course the place has deep roots, but what really struck me is how people-oriented the community is. Family and friends are everything there — definitely a reminder to be grateful for my own back home.

Another part I loved is, of course, the food. We could pop into any hole-in-the-wall of a place and it would still be amazing. I vividly remember one such spot that had incredible lamb kofta kebab, gyro meat , and hummus. Years later, it inspired me to create this recipe.

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Lamb Kofta Kebab (15-Min Recipe)

My easy lamb kofta kebab recipe is super juicy and packed with Middle Eastern flavors. Make it with just 6 ingredients in only 15 minutes!

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/grilled-ground-lamb-kofta-kebab-recipe/

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Onion (grated)
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 tbsp Fresh parsley (chopped)
• 1 tbsp Fresh dill (chopped)
• 1 tsp Cumin
• 1 1/2 tsp Sea salt
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper
• 2 lbs Ground lamb
• 8 Bamboo skewers

Instructions

1. Soak 8 bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes . Pat dry.
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, stir together all ingredients except the lamb. Add the lamb and mix until just combined. Do not over-mix.
3. Divide the meat into 16 sections. Mold each section of meat around a bamboo skewer, making it a few inches long and about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. You’ll fit 2 sections of meat per skewer, about 1-2 inches apart.
4. Preheat the grill (or a grill pan on the stove) to medium-high heat and oil the grates lightly. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 3 minutes . Flip and cook for 3-5 more minutes , to desired level of doneness. Time on the second side will be about 2 minutes for medium rare, 3 minutes for medium, 4 minutes for medium-well, or 5 minutes for well done.
5. Let the lamb kofta kebab rest for a few minutes before serving.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size : 2 lamb kofta pieces (1 skewer)

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)