Grilled Turkish Ground Lamb Kebabs

Grilled Turkish Ground Lamb Kebabs are an easy and delicious way to shake up your summer grilling routine with authentic Middle Eastern flavor!

When grilling season rolls around, we eagerly prepare the favorites we waited all winter to enjoy. It isn’t long, however, before we begin trying new things to add to our favorites list.  These Grilled Turkish Ground Lamb Kebabs are one of our new favorites and they’re sure to be one of yours.

What makes this dish different from most kebabs (or kabobs) is that the meat — in this case, lamb — is ground and threaded onto skewers rather than cubed and threaded.  If you’re not a lamb fan, ground beef works just as well.

For Grilled Turkish Ground Lamb Kebabs, ground lamb is combined with a flavorful combination of ground pistachios, onion, garlic, parsley, chili peppers and baharat.

What is baharat:

Baharat a spice blend common in Turkey and the Middle East.  It’s easy to make yourself and you may already have all the ingredients.

• Simply combine:
  • 1½ tablespoons dried mint
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1½ teaspoons each of ground cinnamon, coriander, cumin and nutmeg.  (Recipe from Epicurious.com.)

If you can, place the mixture in a mortar and pestle, and gently grind the mixture together to blend and release the flavor of the spices.  This recipe makes quite a bit more than you’ll need for this dish.  However, it makes a great seasoning to keep on hand for chicken, beef or other cuts of lamb.

How to make Grilled Turkish Ground Lamb Kebabs:

• After combining all ingredients, it’s important to chill the meat well so it’s easier to work with on the grill.
• After chilling the formed pieces, thread a skewer through the center lengthwise.
• If using wooden or bamboo skewers, be sure to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes prior to placing on the grill so they don’t burn.
• After placing the kebabs on the grill, you’ll want to gently rotate rather than flip them.  Although they’re cylindrical in shape, I think of them as square, gently making quarter-turns until cooked through to 165 degrees in the center.

Serve these Grilled Turkish Ground Lamb Kebabs on pita bread rounds with red onion, tomato, shredded lettuce and plain yogurt.  Tabbouleh and grilled vegetables such as eggplant, zucchini and peppers are also perfect on the side for a fabulous summer meal!

More great grilling ideas:

• Grilled Marinated Skirt Steak with Peperonata
• Grilled Citrus Chicken with Spicy Basil Chimichurri
• Indian-Style Beef Kabobs with Cilantro – Coconut Sauce
• Southwestern Spiced Grilled Pork Chops with Plum Jalapeno Salsa
• Grilled Burgers with Bacon – Tomato Jam and Smoked Gouda
• Japanese Beef and Shishito Pepper Skewers
• Bourbon Marinated Pork Tenderloin with Peach Watermelon Salsa

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Yield: 2

Grilled Turkish Ground Lamb Kebabs

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Grilled Turkish Ground Lamb Kebabs are an easy and delicious way to shake up your summer grilling routine with authentic taste!

Prep Time 2 hours 15 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup shelled pistachios
• 1/2 small onion, coarsely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
• 4 large cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped Italian (flat-leaf) parsley
• 1 teaspoon baharat
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 pound ground lamb
• Olive oil
• FOR SERVING
• Pita bread
• Red onion
• Tomatoes
• Lettuce
• Plain yogurt

Instructions

1. In a mini food processor, grind pistachios until finely ground.
2. Add onion, garlic, parsley, baharat, crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne and salt and process to paste consistency. Transfer to a bowl.
3. Add ground lamb and mix until combined.
4. Divide lamb mixture into 4 even sausage-shaped portions. Place on a plate and refrigerate for 2 hours.
5. Thread a skewer through the center of each portion lengthwise.
6. Preheat grill over medium-high heat.
7. Brush the kebabs with olive oil then place on grill. Reduce heat to medium and grill 2-3 minutes per side, making quarter turns until cooked through.
8. Serve on pitas with onion, tomatoes, lettuce and yogurt.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

2

Serving Size:

2
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 687Total Fat: 39gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 152mgSodium: 884mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 4gSugar: 12gProtein: 47g

The nutritional information above is computer-generated and only an estimate. Please do your own research with the products you're using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.

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