Best Lamb Skewers Recipes

LAMB SOUVLAKI SKEWERS

Steps:

• Put the lamb into a large bowl or strong food bag. Add the olive oil, wine, oregano, lemon zest and juice, garlic and black pepper - don't add salt yet. Mix together so that all the lamb is completely coated, then chill and marinate for at least a few hrs or overnight.
• Lift the chunks of lamb out of the marinade and thread onto 10 metal skewers, or wooden ones that have been soaked. Freeze (see freezing tips, below), or heat a grill, barbecue or griddle pan if you want to eat them straight away.
• Season the meat with salt, then cook the skewers for 10-12 mins, turning, until cooked to your liking. Serve tucked into warm flatbreads with salad and drizzle with chilli sauce and yogurt.

GRILLED LAMB ON ROSEMARY SKEWERS

Steps:

• Start a charcoal or wood fire or heat a gas grill; fire should be moderately hot. Thread lamb and figs onto rosemary branches, three or four chunks or figs per skewer. Do not mix meat and figs on same skewer.
• Brush lightly with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Mix together the lemon juice, garlic and minced rosemary and brush a little of this mixture on lamb and figs.
• Grill, turning skewers as each side browns and taking care to avoid flare-ups; total cooking time should be from 6 to 10 minutes for medium-rare meat, and 4 or 5 minutes for the figs. Meat will become slightly more done after you remove it from grill, so take this into account.

GRILLED TANDOORI-STYLE LAMB SKEWERS

Steps:

• Heat the cumin, garam masala and cardamom in a dry pan, over low heat, until fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes. Add the onion powder and garlic then transfer the mixture to a bowl. Add the yogurt, paprika, curry powder, cilantro, salt and pepper.
• Thread 4 cubes of lamb on each skewer, alternating with scallion pieces and leaving about 1/3 of the skewer as a handle. Arrange them in a shallow glass baking dish and pour the yogurt mixture over them, (turn to coat if needed). Allow to marinate for 1 hour to overnight, in the refrigerator. Brush the grill with an oiled paper towel and preheat it to medium-high. Arrange the skewers at angle for nice grill marks and grill 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium-rare, 5 to 6 minutes per side for medium. Transfer the skewers to a serving platter and garnish with lime wedges and cilantro.
• Serve with basmati rice with cilantro or orzo with spinach and butter and a side of raita (yogurt sauce with vegetables), if desired.

GRILLED GROUND LAMB ON SKEWERS (SEEKH KABOBS)

Steps:

• Heat coals or gas grill for direct heat. In large bowl, mix all kabob ingredients until well blended. Divide mixture into 12 equal parts. Shape each part around 6- to 8-inch bamboo or metal skewer, pressing the mixture with your hands to cover half the length of the skewer.
• Place kabobs on grill rack. Cover and grill kabobs over medium heat 13 to 15 minutes, turning kabobs occasionally to ensure even browning, until lamb is no longer pink in center.
• In blender, place all chutney ingredients. Cover and blend on medium speed until smooth. Serve kabobs with chutney. Store chutney, tightly covered, in refrigerator up to 10 days.

SPICED LAMB SKEWERS WITH LEMONY ONIONS

Steps:

• Season lamb with salt and pepper. Add cumin and turmeric and toss to coat. (This can be done up to 24 hours ahead, if you like.)
• If you're using a charcoal grill, build the fire so it's screaming hot. This lamb is to be cooked hot and fast so it can stay nicely medium-rare, so the hotter the better. If you're using a gas grill, set it on high. Bring a clean platter, cutting board or baking dish out to the grill for the skewers to rest in after cooking.
• Combine onion, sumac (if using) and 3 tablespoons lemon juice; season with salt and pepper and toss to combine. Set aside.
• Combine yogurt and remaining 2 tablespoons lemon juice; season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Skewer the lamb onto wooden or metal skewers, 2 to 4 pieces per skewer.
• Once the grill is hot, cook the skewers on all sides until deeply browned and lightly charred all over, 2 to 3 minutes per side (less time for smaller pieces), moving the skewers around as needed to prevent excessive flare-ups. (If you've trimmed most of the fat away from the lamb, the flare-ups shouldn't be too bad.)
• Transfer the skewers to the platter, cutting board or baking dish to rest for a few minutes and drizzle with olive oil. Serve with the dressed onions, lemony yogurt, cilantro, olives, lavash and any pickled vegetables or peppers you like.

SPICED GRILLED LAMB SKEWERS

Steps:

• Blend all the marinade ingredients until smooth, and season with 1 tsp salt and some black pepper. Add the lamb, mix well, cover and put in the fridge to marinate for as long as possible; overnight is best.
• When ready to cook, soak 8 wooden skewers in water for 10 mins and heat a barbecue to medium-high, or heat your grill and line a baking tray with foil. Thread the lamb onto the skewers, about 4 pieces on each. Place on oiled racks of the barbecue and cook for 12-14 mins, turning often, or until charred in places and cooked right through. If you're grilling the skewers, cook for 10-12 mins.

LAMB AND FIG SKEWERS WITH HONEY AND ROSEMARY

Steps:

• If you are using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes. (You don't need to soak metal skewers. If you are broiling the kebabs instead of grilling, skewers are optional.)
• In a large bowl, toss together garlic, rosemary, lemon juice, honey, salt, pepper and fish sauce, and stir well to dissolve the salt. Stir in oil.
• Thread the figs on skewers; if you are not using skewers, spread the figs on a baking sheet. Make sure the figs don't touch one another. Brush with some of the rosemary marinade and set the figs aside.
• Add lamb to the bowl with remaining marinade and toss well. If you have time, let lamb marinate in the fridge for several hours, or at least 30 minutes at room temperature.
• Light the grill or heat the broiler. Thread the lamb on skewers or spread on a baking sheet, leaving room between the pieces to get more of a char. Grill or broil kebabs for 3 to 5 minutes, turning them once. (If broiling, cook as close to the heating element as possible. You don't need to turn them.)
• Sprinkle lamb with fresh mint, then serve lamb and figs with lemon wedges.

SPICE-RUBBED LAMB SKEWERS WITH HERB-YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Slice lamb into 12 strips, each 1/2-inch thick, about 2 inches wide and 4 to 6 inches long. Place in a dish and rub with 1 tablespoon oil. Mix paprika, cumin, 3/4 teaspoon pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt together and rub over meat. Cover and set aside for 4 hours at room temperature. Place 12 8-inch bamboo skewers in water.
• Mince garlic and herbs by hand or machine. Place in a serving bowl and add yogurt and 2 tablespoons oil. Add 2 to 4 tablespoons cold water to thin to saucelike consistency. Stir in remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper and add salt to taste. Refrigerate.
• About 30 minutes before serving, heat grill or broiler. Heat remaining oil in a skillet, add onion and sauté over medium heat until just starting to brown. Place in a serving dish.
• Thread meat on skewers and sear quickly on grill or broiler, 1 1/2 to 3 minutes a side for medium-rare to medium. Arrange on a platter, lightly toast cut sides of pita breads on grill or under broiler. Arrange in a basket. Serve kebabs with pita, onions and sauce.

SPICY LAMB & FETA SKEWERS WITH GREEK BROWN RICE SALAD

Steps:

• Soak 12 wooden skewers in water for 30 mins. Cook the rice following pack instructions, then rinse under cold water and drain thoroughly.
• Heat the grill. Mix the mince with the harissa, feta, grated onion and seasoning. Form into 12 sausage shapes and thread onto the skewers. Lay on a non-stick baking tray and grill for 6-8 mins, turning until cooked through and slightly browned.
• Mix the brown rice with the remaining ingredients and some seasoning. Serve alongside the hot skewers.

GREEK LAMB ON SKEWERS (SOUVLAKI)

Steps:

• For the marinade: Combine first 8 ingredients.
• Cut lamb up into 1/2" thick, 1" wide, 3" long strips.
• Pour marinade over lamb and chill overnight. Turning occasionally.
• For the veggies: Combine the next 10 ingredients and let chill over night.
• Skewer meat. If using wooden skewers, soak for an hour in water first. About 8 slices per stick.
• Prepare grill. Add wood chips. Any type will do.
• Grill until meat is done, brushing often with marinade. Meat should be brown around the edges, but still a little pink in the center. Don't dry the meat out.
• Serve with warm pita. Guests should wrap a warm pita round the meat and pull the skewer our, then top their "taco" with marinated veggies, feta, and tzaziki.
• For the tzaziki: Place the yogurt in cheese cloth. Twist to bind and squeeze the yogurt. Place in colander over a bowl to drain for an hour or so.
• Peel and slice a cucumber down the middle, and spoon out the seeds.
• Grate the cucumber. Squeeze out as much juice as you can.
• In a bowl, mix the yogurt, cucumber, garlic, oil, salt, mint, and lemon juice. Let chill a few hours (over night is best).
• For the pita: Buy pita flat bread (whole breads without the pocket).
• Mix olive oil with paprika.
• Brush each piece on both sides with a little of the olive oil.
• Place on hot griddle and warm thoroughly (about a minute or so on each side).
• Serve warm.

SPICY CHINESE CUMIN LAMB SKEWERS

Steps:

• Thread a portion of the lamb pieces onto a flat kebab skewer. Repeat with remaining lamb and skewers.
• Preheat a grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Place skewers on the grill. Cook, turning often and sprinkling with cumin, red pepper flakes, and salt, until nicely browned and meat is no longer pink in the center, about 6 minutes.

SHISH KABOB (GRILLED MARINATED LAMB SKEWERS)

Steps:

• Combine wine, olive oil. lemon juice, garlic and parsley. Add lamb and toss to coat well. Cover and set aside to marinate, refrigerated, for 8 hours. Preheat grill or broiler to high. Drain lamb, reserving marinade in a small bowl. Pat meat dry with paper towels and spear 5 pieces on each metal skewer. Season generously with salt, pepper and marjoram and grill 10 to 15 minutes, basting several times with marinade, until well-browne;

LAMB SKEWERS ON THE GRILL

Steps:

• Strip the rosemary leaves from the sticks, leaving a few on each tip. Smash the leaves, using a mortar and pestle, with the garlic, some sea salt and 3 tbsp olive oil to make a paste.
• Make up skewers using the rosemary sticks. Thread one piece of folded pancetta onto each stick, then one sage leaf and one piece of lamb. Repeat so there are four pieces of lamb on each skewer (or 2-3 pieces if your skewers are shorter) and end with pancetta and sage. Spread the rosemary and garlic paste over the lamb and leave to marinate for at least 30 minutes. You can prepare up to this stage the day before and keep covered in the fridge.
• Grill the lamb over a medium heat on the barbecue for 10-15 minutes for medium/rare meat. Toast the slices of bread during the last few minutes and then lightly rub both sides with the whole garlic clove and drizzle with a little olive oil. Squeeze lemon juice over the lamb just before serving.

HONEY-MINT LAMB SKEWERS

Steps:

• Mix the first 7 ingredients in a shallow dish. Add lamb; turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate 4-6 hours., Preheat broiler. For dip, place sour cream, lemon juice, feta cheese and pepperoncini in a blender; cover and process until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until serving., Drain lamb and discard marinade. Thread 2 pieces of lamb on each of 36 soaked wooden skewers; place in two 15x10-in. pans. Broil 6-8 in. from heat until lamb reaches desired doneness, 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally. Serve with dip.

INDIAN CURRY LAMB SKEWERS WITH MINT-GRILLED NECTARINE CHUTNEY WITH PITA

Steps:

• For the chutney:
• Heat the grill to high.
• Brush the nectarines with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill, cut side down until lightly golden brown, about 3 minutes. Turn the nectarines over and grill until just cooked through, about 2 minutes longer. Remove from the grill and coarsely chop.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a medium saucepan on the grates of the grill. Add the onion and cook until soft. Add the chile, garlic, ginger and mustard seeds and cook for 1 minute. Add the vinegar and sugar and cook until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly. Stir in the nectarines and cook for 1 minute, season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a bowl, cool, and stir in the raisins, coconut and mint. Let cool to room temperature before serving.
• For the skewers:
• Heat the grill to high. Combine the coriander, cumin, mustard seeds and black peppercorns in a small skillet on the grates of the grill and grill until lightly toasted, about 1 1/2 minutes, stirring a few times; transfer to a coffee grinder and process until finely ground and place in a bowl. Add the ancho, turmeric, garlic, ginger, 1/4 cup canola oil and vinegar and whisk until it forms a paste. If the mixture is too dry, add a few tablespoons of water to loosen it to a paste.
• Place lamb in a large bowl, add the curry paste and toss to coat each piece of lamb. You can grill immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 4 hours to allow the flavors to intensify.
• Skewer 2 pieces of lamb onto 2 skewers so that the meat lays flat on the grill. Season both sides of the lamb with salt and grill until golden brown and slightly charred on both sides and cooked to medium-rare doneness, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Drizzle with olive oil and serve with pita bread and chutney.

YOGURT-MARINATED LAMB AND CHICKEN SKEWERS

Steps:

• Combine 1/2 cup yogurt, oil, lemon zest and juice, coriander seeds, and paprika in a bowl; add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Mix well. Divide mixture between 2 resealable plastic bags; add lamb to one and chicken to the other. Seal bags after removing any air; massage meat to evenly distribute marinade. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour, or refrigerate up to 1 day (remove 1 hour before grilling).
• Thread meat onto long metal skewers (or soaked wooden skewers) with a lemon quarter on each end, leaving 1/4 inch between each piece to ensure even cooking. Thread tomatoes and onion onto separate skewers, then brush with oil. Season meat and vegetables with salt and pepper. Stir together remaining 1 1/2 cups yogurt, feta, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Transfer to a serving bowl; drizzle with oil and sprinkle with pepper.
• Preheat grill for direct-heat cooking (medium-high on a gas grill). Brush grates with oil. Grill chicken until just cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes. Grill onions, turning a few times, until charred in places and softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Grill lamb, turning a few times, until charred in places, 6 to 8 minutes for medium-rare. Grill tomatoes until charred in places, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer meat and grilled tomatoes and vegetables to a serving platter. Grill pitas, flipping once, until charred in places, 1 to 2 minutes; immediately wrap in a clean kitchen towel to steam and soften until ready to serve.
• Serve meat, onions, and tomatoes with pitas, yogurt sauce, cucumber, and dill, with grilled lemon wedges alongside.

SPICED LAMB SKEWERS

Steps:

• Mix all the marinade ingredients together until well blended.
• Toss in the lamb, marinade for as long as possible then thread onto 12 skewers.
• Cover well and chill until ready to cook.
• Grill for 7-10 mins turning frequently until cooked but a little pink in the centre.

GRILLED LAMB SKEWERS WITH SPICED MINT MARINADE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients except lamb in medium bowl for marinade. Thread lamb onto metal skewers. Place skewers in 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Pour marinade over. Cover with plastic wrap; chill overnight.
• Transfer lamb skewers to baking sheet. Pour marinade into small saucepan.
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Sprinkle lamb with salt and pepper. Grill to desired doneness, turning, about 8 minutes for medium-rare. Transfer to platter.
• Boil marinade 5 minutes. Strain, then spoon over lamb and serve.

TAMARIND-GLAZED LAMB SKEWERS WITH DRIED-APRICOT RELISH

Steps:

• For glaze:
• Bring first 4 ingredients to boil in small saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer until reduced to 1 cup, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in lime juice.
• For apricot relish:
• Mix apricots and next 5 ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Season relish to taste with salt and pepper. (Glaze and relish can be made 1 day ahead; cover separately and chill. Bring relish to room temperature. Stir glaze over medium heat until heated through.)
• Thread lamb and onion pieces onto skewers, using about 6 onion and lamb pieces per skewer. (Skewers can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Sprinkle skewers with salt and pepper. Grill lamb to desired doneness, turning once and basting with glaze during last minute of grilling, about 2 minutes total for medium-rare. Transfer skewers to platter. Serve with relish.
• Available at Indian markets.

XINJIANG LAMB SKEWERS

Steps:

• Cut the lamb and the fat into roughly inch big cubes.
• Make the marinade by putting the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt and spices into a bowl and mixing until even. Put the meat and fat in the marinade and mix until thoroughly coated, then cover, put the bowl in the fridge and leave for at least 2 hours (or overnight if you think ahead).
• Skewer the meat, roughly 2 pieces of lean meat to one piece of fat (you don't have to eat the fat but do keep it on whilst cooking, as it helps keep the meat nice and tender). Pack it quite tightly so that the fat and meat are up against each other, as in the picture above.
• Cook on the BBQ until you feel it's ready to eat. I prefer it so the fat is nice and crispy, but just cook it to your own preference. If you made the spice sprinkle then add it occasionally on the top of the skewers as they cook.