Easy Kibbeh-Spiced Lamb Skewers Recipe for Juicy Summer Grilling

Kibbeh-spiced lamb skewers bring an explosion of Middle Eastern flavors that dance across your palate with remarkable intensity.

These tender meat delicacies carry deep cultural roots embedded in traditional cooking techniques.

Aromatic spices enhance ordinary protein into an extraordinary culinary experience that tantalizes taste buds.

Each carefully selected ingredient contributes complex layers of warmth and depth to the final creation.

Bold Mediterranean seasonings infuse the lamb with an irresistible character that elevates simple grilling methods.

Robust and hearty, these skewers represent more than just a meal—they symbolize generations of passionate cooking traditions.

The perfect balance of spices creates a harmonious blend that promises to transport you directly to bustling street markets.

What Makes Kibbeh-Spiced Lamb Skewers Unique

• Burst with Middle Eastern Flavors: Dive into a symphony of aromatic spices like allspice, cinnamon, cumin, and coriander that transform ordinary lamb into an extraordinary culinary experience.
• Quick and Easy Grilling Delight: Prepare these skewers in under 30 minutes, making them perfect for weeknight dinners or spontaneous backyard gatherings with minimal cooking skills required.
• Texture-Rich Protein Powerhouse: Enjoy the succulent lamb with a satisfying blend of tender meat, crispy grilled edges, and optional crunchy pine nuts that add delightful textural contrast.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleasing Dish: Impress friends and family with these elegant skewers that work brilliantly as appetizers, main courses, or party fare, easily paired with salads, rice, or flatbreads.

Ingredients to Spice Lamb Just Right

• Ground Lamb: Rich, flavorful meat perfect for traditional Middle Eastern skewers with a deep, robust taste.
• Pine Nuts: Optional nutty ingredient that adds subtle crunch and earthy flavor when lightly toasted.

• Onion: Fresh, sharp base that provides natural sweetness and depth to the lamb mixture.
• Garlic: Pungent ingredient that enhances overall savory profile of the dish.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that brings brightness and herbal notes to the lamb skewers.

• Ground Allspice, Ground Cinnamon, Ground Cumin, Ground Coriander: Classic Middle Eastern spice blend that creates complex, warm flavor profile for kibbeh-style seasoning.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the meat's natural taste.
• Olive Oil: Helps bind ingredients and adds rich, smooth texture to the lamb mixture.

• Lemon: Fresh citrus wedges for bright, tangy finishing touch to cut through the rich lamb.

How to Assemble and Grill the Skewers

Step 1: Toast Nutty Accent

Gently heat pine nuts in a dry skillet, stirring constantly until they turn a golden brown. Watch carefully to prevent burning- these little gems can go from perfect to scorched in seconds.

Step 2: Create Flavor Fusion

Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Use your hands to blend the spices, lamb, and herbs thoroughly. The mixture should feel cohesive and richly seasoned.

• Toasted pine nuts
• Fresh parsley
• Olive oil

Step 3: Prepare Cooking Surface

Fire up the grill to medium-high heat. Clean the grates and lightly oil to prevent sticking. The goal is a beautiful sear that locks in all those incredible flavors.

Step 4: Shape Succulent Skewers

Divide the lamb mixture into equal portions. Carefully mold each portion around metal or soaked wooden skewers, creating elongated shapes. Press firmly to ensure the meat adheres tightly.

Step 5: Grill to Perfection

Place skewers on the hot grill. Cook for 10-12 minutes, rotating every few minutes to ensure even cooking. Look for a beautiful golden-brown exterior and ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F for food safety.

Step 6: Serve with Zesty Flair

Transfer the sizzling skewers to a serving platter. Accompany with fresh lemon wedges, allowing guests to add a bright, citrusy finish to the rich, spiced lamb.

Tips for Tender and Even Lamb Cooking

• Meat Moisture Magic: Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
• Spice Blend Brilliance: Gently toast whole spices before grinding to enhance their deeper, richer aromatics and release more intense flavors.
• Lamb Mixing Masterclass: Use cold hands or slightly wet palms when shaping skewers to prevent meat from sticking and create smoother, more compact shapes.
• Temperature Triumph: Let meat mixture rest for 15-20 minutes in the refrigerator before shaping to help spices meld and improve overall texture.
• Grill Perfection Technique: Create a two-zone heat setup on the grill, allowing direct high heat for searing and indirect lower heat for thorough cooking without burning.

How to Keep Leftovers Moist and Flavorful

Refrigerate: Store leftover lamb skewers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.

Reheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Wrap skewers in aluminum foil to retain moisture and heat for 10-12 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Unwrap for the last 2 minutes to restore slight crispiness.

Microwave Option: Place skewers on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat in 30-second intervals, checking temperature and moisture between cycles to ensure even warming without toughening the meat.

What to Serve With These Lamb Skewers

• Pair with Lebanese Red Wine: Choose a bold Chateau Musar from Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, highlighting the lamb's rich spices and complementing the Middle Eastern flavor profile.
• Serve with Herbed Yogurt Sauce: Blend Greek yogurt with fresh mint, garlic, and a touch of lemon juice to create a cool, tangy dip that balances the skewers' warmth.
• Match with Tabbouleh Salad: Prepare a fresh parsley and bulgur wheat salad with diced tomatoes and cucumber, offering a light, zesty side that cuts through the lamb's richness.
• Recommend Lebanese Arak Cocktail: Mix traditional anise-flavored Arak with water, creating a refreshing drink that cleanses the palate between bites of the spiced meat.

Global Variations on This Dish

• Mediterranean Veggie Swap: Replace ground lamb with finely chopped grilled eggplant and zucchini, maintaining the same spice blend for a vegetarian-friendly kebab packed with Mediterranean flavors.
• Chicken Kibbeh Alternative: Substitute ground lamb with ground chicken, keeping the original spice mixture to create a lighter protein option that's equally aromatic and flavorful.
• Spicy North African Version: Add harissa paste and smoked paprika to the original lamb mixture, increasing the heat and introducing a deeper, more intense flavor profile with regional spice complexity.
• Greek-Inspired Rendition: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese into the lamb mixture and garnish with fresh mint leaves, transforming the skewers with a classic Greek culinary touch.

Kibbeh-Spiced Lamb Skewers Recipe

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4.7 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Lebanese kebabs sizzle with aromatic Middle Eastern spices, creating a mouthwatering blend of lamb, pine nuts, and fragrant herbs. Grilled to perfection, these skewers promise a delightful journey through traditional flavors you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 pound (1 lb) ground lamb

Aromatics and Spices:

• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Additional Ingredients:

• ¼ cup pine nuts (optional)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Lemon wedges for serving

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly blend ground lamb with aromatic spices, creating a harmonious mixture that captures the essence of Middle Eastern cuisine. Incorporate finely diced onion, crushed garlic, and a symphony of spices including allspice, cinnamon, cumin, and coriander.
2. Gently toast pine nuts in a dry skillet until they release a golden, nutty fragrance, being careful not to burn them. Fold the toasted nuts into the lamb mixture with precision.
3. Introduce freshly chopped parsley and a drizzle of olive oil, mixing until the ingredients form a cohesive and well-integrated preparation.
4. Prepare the grill, allowing it to reach a robust medium-high temperature that promises perfect caramelization.
5. Carefully mold the seasoned lamb mixture around skewers, compressing the meat firmly to create elongated, uniform shapes that will cook evenly and maintain structural integrity.
6. Position the skewers on the preheated grill, rotating periodically to ensure uniform cooking. Cook until the exterior develops a tantalizing char and the interior reaches a succulent, fully-cooked state.
7. Transfer the aromatic skewers to a serving platter, accompanied by vibrant lemon wedges that will provide a bright, citrusy counterpoint to the rich, spiced lamb.

Notes

• Spice Blend Magic transforms ordinary ground lamb into a Middle Eastern flavor explosion with warming allspice, cinnamon, cumin, and coriander.
• Toasting pine nuts beforehand releases their rich, nutty essence and adds delightful crunch to the meat mixture.
• Tight packing of lamb around skewers ensures solid kebabs that won’t crumble during grilling, maintaining perfect texture and presentation.
• Medium-high grill heat creates beautiful exterior char while keeping the interior juicy and tender.
• Fresh parsley provides bright, herbaceous notes that cut through the rich lamb’s intensity.
• Lemon wedges offer zesty citrus brightness, balancing the meat’s deep, complex spice profile and enhancing overall taste experience.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 367
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 463 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 86 mg