Keto Lamb Kofta with Cucumber Salad Recipe

Keto lamb kofta with cucumber salad brings the bold, aromatic flavors of the Middle East to your dinner table with spiced ground lamb skewers served alongside a cool, refreshing cucumber salad. These juicy kofta are packed with warming spices like cumin, coriander, and cinnamon that create an authentic, complex flavor profile. With just 5g net carbs per serving and 33g of protein, this keto-friendly Middle Eastern dinner is both exotic and deeply satisfying.

Ingredients

Lamb Kofta

• 600g ground lamb
• 1/2 medium onion, grated
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh mint, finely chopped
• 1.5 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)

Cucumber Salad

• 2 cucumbers, diced
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1.5 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

1. Combine ground lamb, grated onion, garlic, parsley, mint, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix well.
2. Refrigerate mixture for 15 minutes to let flavors meld.
3. Divide into 12 portions. Shape each into an oval around metal skewers (or use wet hands to form without skewers).
4. Heat olive oil in a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
5. Cook kofta for 3-4 minutes per side (about 12 minutes total) until browned all over and cooked through.
6. While kofta cook, combine cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, mint, and parsley in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and red wine vinegar. Season with salt and toss.
7. Serve kofta hot alongside cucumber salad.

Tips & Variations

• Squeeze excess moisture from grated onion with a clean towel before mixing; wet onion makes kofta fall apart.
• For better binding, refrigerate the mixture for up to 1 hour or overnight for a more compact kofta.
• Grill over charcoal for authentic smoky flavor.
• Serve with a dollop of full-fat Greek yogurt for a cooling accompaniment and a small additional carb hit from the yogurt.
• Substitute ground lamb with ground beef or a 50/50 mix of beef and lamb for a milder flavor.

Nutrition Breakdown

Calories: 530 kcal

Protein: 32.8g

Fat: 40.2g

Carbs: 10.4g

Net Carbs: 8g

Fiber: 2.2g

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