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Grilled lamb kofta wraps on a wooden board with mint yogurt drizzle, pickled red onion, and lemon wedges

Grilled Lamb Kofta Wraps with Mint Yogurt

Spiced ground lamb shaped onto skewers, grilled over high heat, and served in flatbread with mint yogurt and crisp vegetables.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 610

Ingredients
  

Lamb Kofta
  • 500 g ground lamb (20% fat)
  • 1 small brown onion, grated squeeze out excess liquid after grating
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
  • 1.5 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 0.25 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper adjust to taste
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp fine salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
Mint Yogurt Sauce
  • 200 g full-fat Greek yogurt
  • 3 tbsp fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice about half a lemon
  • 0.25 tsp fine salt
  • 1 tsp olive oil to finish
Quick-Pickled Red Onion
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 pinch fine salt
To Assemble
  • 4 pieces flatbread or pita warmed before serving
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce, shredded
  • 2 medium tomato, thinly sliced
  • 0.5 cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 4 lemon wedges, to serve

Method
 

Make the Mint Yogurt and Pickled Onion
  1. Combine Greek yogurt, chopped mint, minced garlic, lemon juice, and salt in a small bowl. Stir well, drizzle with olive oil, and refrigerate until needed.
  2. Toss sliced red onion with red wine vinegar and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Set aside at room temperature for at least 10 minutes - the onion will soften and turn pink.
Mix and Shape the Kofta
  1. Combine ground lamb, grated onion (squeezed dry), minced garlic, parsley, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cayenne, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Mix with your hands until just combined - do not overwork the meat.
  2. Pinch off a small piece of the mixture and cook it briefly in a dry skillet. Taste and adjust salt or spice if needed.
  3. Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions. Shape each portion into a log around a skewer, pressing firmly so it adheres. The kofta should be about 12 cm long and 3 cm wide.
  4. Place shaped kofta on a baking sheet and refrigerate for 20 minutes. This firms the mixture and helps it hold on the grill.
Grill the Kofta
  1. Heat an outdoor grill or cast-iron grill pan over high heat. Brush the grates or pan surface with oil.
  2. Place kofta on the grill and cook without moving for 3 to 4 minutes, until a dark crust forms underneath. Rotate and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes on the second side.
  3. Turn once more and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until cooked through. An instant-read thermometer should read 70 C / 160 F at the center.
  4. Transfer kofta to a plate and rest for 3 minutes.
Warm the Flatbread and Assemble
  1. Warm flatbread directly over a gas flame or in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side until pliable and lightly charred.
  2. Spread a generous spoonful of mint yogurt down the center of each flatbread. Layer shredded lettuce, sliced tomato, cucumber, and pickled red onion on top.
  3. Slide 2 kofta off the skewers onto each wrap. Squeeze a lemon wedge over and fold the flatbread around the filling. Serve immediately.

Notes

If using wooden skewers, soak them in cold water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent scorching. Metal skewers are more reliable for kofta because the flat or twisted shape grips the meat better.