Name: Za’atar Lamb Koftas with Tabbouleh & Tahini Sauce: A Flavorful Delight
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 1 lb (450g) ground lamb; 2 tbsp za’atar spice blend; 2 garlic cloves, finely grated; 1 small onion, grated and squeezed of excess liquid; 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped; 1 tbsp fresh mint, finely chopped; 1 tsp ground cumin; ½ tsp ground coriander; ½ tsp chili flakes (optional); Salt & black pepper, to taste; 1–2 tbsp olive oil (for brushing); ½ cup (90g) fine bulgur wheat; 1 cup (250ml) boiling water; 2 cups fresh parsley, very finely chopped; ½ cup fresh mint, finely chopped; 2 medium tomatoes, diced; ½ cucumber, finely diced (optional, not traditional but refreshing); 3 spring onions, finely sliced; Juice of 1 lemon; 3 tbsp olive oil; Salt & pepper, to taste; ½ cup (120ml) tahini; Juice of 1 lemon; 1 garlic clove, minced; ¼ cup (60ml) cold water (more if needed to loosen); Pinch of salt

Description

Za’atar Lamb Koftas with Tabbouleh & Tahini Sauce is a Mediterranean-inspired dish featuring spiced lamb koftas (or meatballs) served with a fresh herb-packed tabbouleh salad and creamy tahini sauce. The lamb koftas are made with a mix of ground lamb, aromatic spices like za’atar (a Middle Eastern spice blend), cumin, coriander, and herbs like parsley and mint.

Ingredients

Scale

For the lamb koftas:

1 lb (450g) ground lamb
2 tbsp za’atar spice blend
2 garlic cloves, finely grated
1 small onion, grated and squeezed of excess liquid
2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 tbsp fresh mint, finely chopped
1 tsp ground cumin
½ tsp ground coriander
½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
Salt & black pepper, to taste
1–2 tbsp olive oil (for brushing)

For the tabbouleh:

½ cup (90g) fine bulgur wheat
1 cup (250ml) boiling water
2 cups fresh parsley, very finely chopped
½ cup fresh mint, finely chopped
2 medium tomatoes, diced
½ cucumber, finely diced (optional, not traditional but refreshing)
3 spring onions, finely sliced
Juice of 1 lemon
3 tbsp olive oil
Salt & pepper, to taste

For the tahini sauce:

½ cup (120ml) tahini
Juice of 1 lemon
1 garlic clove, minced
¼ cup (60ml) cold water (more if needed to loosen)
Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Make the koftas

In a bowl, mix ground lamb with za’atar, garlic, onion, herbs, cumin, coriander, chili flakes, salt, and pepper until just combined.
Divide mixture into 8 portions and shape onto skewers (oval or sausage-shaped).
Brush lightly with olive oil.
Cook on a preheated grill, grill pan, or under a broiler for 8–10 minutes, turning until browned and cooked through.

2. Prepare the tabbouleh

Place bulgur in a bowl, pour over boiling water, cover, and let sit 15 minutes until tender. Fluff with a fork.
Stir in parsley, mint, tomatoes, cucumber, and spring onion.
Dress with lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Chill until serving.

3. Make the tahini sauce

In a small bowl, whisk tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and salt.
Gradually whisk in cold water until smooth and pourable.

4. Assemble the dish

Serve lamb koftas hot with tabbouleh on the side.
Drizzle generously with tahini sauce.
Garnish with extra za’atar, lemon wedges, and a few fresh mint leaves.

Notes

For extra flavor, serve the koftas with warm pita bread or flatbreads on the side. A drizzle of pomegranate molasses or a sprinkle of fresh pomegranate seeds also adds a delicious sweet-tart contrast to the savory lamb and creamy tahini.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Grilling / Pan-Frying
Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 koftas + tabbouleh + sauce
Calories: ~520
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 480mg
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 20g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 34g
Cholesterol: High

Keywords: Za’atar Lamb Kofta, Mediterranean lamb koftas, Tabbouleh with lamb koftas, Tahini sauce recipe, Lamb koftas with salad, Grilled lamb koftas