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Spicy Lamb Meatballs With Green Dip

Spicy Lamb Meatballs With Green Dip

Spicy Lamb Meatballs With Green Dip offer a bold and vibrant flavor experience with perfectly seasoned, juicy lamb meatballs paired with a refreshing herbal green dip. Ideal as a snack, appetizer, or main course, this recipe provides a juicy, aromatic dish that is easy to prepare and highly versatile.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground lamb
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (or gluten-free alternative)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1/2 tsp chili flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 12 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)

Green Dip

  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (or dairy-free alternative like tahini or mashed avocado)
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • Pinch of chili flakes
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground lamb, minced garlic, finely chopped onion, chopped parsley and mint, breadcrumbs, ground cumin, ground coriander, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Add the egg and lemon juice, then gently mix everything until just incorporated, being careful not to overwork the mixture to maintain tenderness.
  2. Shape the Meatballs: Using your hands or a small scoop, form the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Place them on a tray lined with parchment paper.
  3. Cook the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides carefully, then cover and cook through for 8-10 minutes. Alternatively, bake them in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.
  4. Blend the Green Dip: In a blender or food processor, combine fresh cilantro, mint, parsley, Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and a pinch of chili flakes. Blend until smooth, but still vibrant and fresh tasting.
  5. Serve: Arrange warm meatballs on a serving plate with a bowl of the green dip. Garnish with extra herbs or a drizzle of olive oil if desired.

Notes

  • Don’t overmix the meatball mixture to keep them tender and light.
  • Use fresh herbs for maximum flavor impact in both meatballs and dip.
  • Refrigerate the meatball mix for 20–30 minutes before cooking to improve binding and flavor.
  • Brown meatballs before cooking thoroughly to lock in juices.
  • Adjust chili flakes to control spice level according to preference.
  • For gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs with almond meal or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
  • For a dairy-free dip, replace Greek yogurt with tahini or mashed avocado.

Nutrition

Keywords: lamb meatballs, spicy meatballs, green dip, lamb recipe, appetizer, gluten free, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, finger food