This ultimate lamb kabab/kebab platter recipe makes the best lamb kabab wrap you’ll ever have. Spiced up lamb is shaped and grilled till perfection, a perfect tahini sauce to drizzle on grilled flat bread, a tangy zesty tabouleh to top the kababs, plenty of fresh mint and sumac spice to scatter on top of that, a squeeze of lime and more tahini sauce drizzled to finish off this ultimate wrap experience like no other!
This recipe reminds me of a very special friend, when we both used to live in Toronto. Our kids went to the same daycare together and we spent plenty of time talking, sharing and enjoying food—yes she was a real foodie and I think that’s how we connected in the first place.
Why Lamb Kebab
Kebab or Kabab basically refer to meat that’s skewered and grilled. Kebab meat can be anything from chicken to fish to beef, to lamb. Kabab also in many cultures like in Turkey is referred to as grilled long flavored ground beef/lamb.
Lamb is by far the most flavorful kebab or kabab you’ll ever eat. So I strongly advise you to try lamb first before beef, even if you don’t think you’re a lamb person. This recipe will certainly change your mind 🙂
Back to my friend’s toddler, who was a huge fan of lamb, and I mean huge! I hadn’t met a toddler who appreciated that unique lamb flavor ever, and he ate noting but it. So I made them this ultimate lamb kabab platter, wrapped it up and left it at their building lobby the day before they left to the US.
Now fast forward nearly 7 years from that day, every time we chat—this recipe comes up! She and the world’s biggest lamb fan really enjoyed it, so that’s the seal of approval.
How to Make Kabab
First of all, you’ll start the kebab/kabab my mixing onions, garlic, parsley and spice in a food processor. Then you’ll add that into the ground lamb.
While this sounds like a meatball mixture, the traditional kebab shape is like a log about 3-5 inches long and about 1 inch wide.
So now shape up the lamb mixture and grill right away. Indoor grill since it’s pretty cold right now, but if you have the outdoor grill on–go for it!
Finally finish off the kabab while it’s still hot off the grill with a sprinkle of sumac spice. This brightens up and add a lemony finish to the lamb. Sumac spice is a favorite of mine because it adds such a nice bright lemon flavor—I’ve used it in this lemon artichoke garlic roast chicken and this fabulousTurkish pizza lahmacun recipe.
How to Serve Kebabs
Once the kabab is ready, all it needs is the condiments—which I always have ready beforehand. I know you might think I’m asking way too much to get all these ready, but they’re all very speedy to prepare. Also, rather than rushing, these can all be made days in advance.
Don’t skimp because really, the ultimate lamb kabab platter wont be ultimate without them! So one of them is this instant perfect tahini sauce—super quick, tahini lemon, cumin, water and salt all whisked together in a flash but the result is an outstanding sauce!
The other is this speedy quinoa tabouleh which is made in a food processor in a few batches but still super speedy, tangy, loaded with parsley and mint.
Another is the grilled flatbread—so I love using naan bread, which isn’t exactly authentically the correct type of bread, but it’s just so perfect for this recipe.
A recipe for authentic naan bread will follow up soon on the blog, but for now let’s stick with store bought naan bread that’s grilled on each side for 30 seconds.
Then to finish off this ultimate lamb kabab platter I keep plenty more of fresh mint to scatter on my kabab wraps, fresh parsley, lime quarters and more sumac. What else is this missing than for your to grab the ultimate bite! Give this a try and enjoy!:)
Tips for Perfect Kebabs
Use lamb, because it adds so much flavor that you can’t replace!
Instead of chopping or grating the veggies that go in to the kabab, use a food processor to instantly mince everything together.
The Kabab can be shaped and stored in the fridge for 3 days or frozen for 3 months before grilling.
If serving the whole platter, make sure to make the Tahini Sauce up to 6 days in advance and the Tabouleh salad up to 2 days in advance.
If you can’t find Sumac spice, use plenty of lemon juice to squeeze on the grilled kebabs.
Enjoy!
Ultimate Lamb kabab Platter
This ultimate lamb kabab platter recipe makes the best lamb kabab wrap you’ll ever have. Spiced up lamb is shaped and grilled till perfection, a perfect tahini sauce to drizzle on grilled flat bread, a tangy zesty tabouleh to top the kababs, plenty of fresh mint and sumac spice to scatter on top of that, a squeeze of lime and more tahini sauce drizzled to finish off this ultimate wrap experience like no other!
Ingredients
- Lamb Mix:
- 2 lbs ground lamb
- 1 small red onion
- 5 cloves garlic
- 1/3 cup parsley leaves
- 1/4 cup mint leaves
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon sumac
- Condiments:
- Perfect tahini sauce
- Speedy Quinoa tabouleh
- 4 Naan bread grilled on each side for 30 seconds
- Fresh mint leaves
- Sumac spice
- Lime quarters
- Fresh parsley , chopped
- sliced red onions
Instructions
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In a food processor, mix all the ingredients for the lamb mix (minus the lamb) until pureed and smooth. Then add this marinade into the ground lamb and mix it well. Shape the lamb into mini logs and place on a medium high grill or stove top grill pan for 5 minutes per side ( 2 minutes more or less depending on the size of your kababs).
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As soon the kababs are done, sprinkle them with a good amount of sumac spice.
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To assemble the kabab platter, serve the perfect tahini sauce in a bowl, the speedy tabouleh in a separate bowl, the naan bread on the side, fresh mint and lime quarters on the side and serve.
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To assemble the ultimate kabab wrap, take one grilled naan bread, and spread it with a teaspoon of the perfect tahini sauce, place a lamb kabab in the centre, mound 2 tablespoons of tabouleh on top, some fresh mint, a squeeze of lime and a final drizzle of the perfect tahini sauce and serve.
Recipe Notes
Use lamb, because it adds so much flavor that you can't replace!
Instead of chopping or grating the veggies that go in to the kabab, use a food processor to instantly mince everything together.
The Kabab can be shaped and stored in the fridge for 3 days or frozen for 3 months before grilling.
If serving the whole platter, make sure to make the Tahini Sauce up to 6 days in advance and the Tabouleh salad up to 2 days in advance.
If you can't find Sumac spice, use plenty of lemon juice to squeeze on the grilled kebabs.
Enjoy!
Allyson Zea
I always make this when we have company and everyone loves it!
Mahy
🙂 Thanks!
Catalina
How good this looks! I would this for dinner tonight!
Mahy
Great Catalina!
Jo
I can’t tell how much I love lamb kebabs. We always order lamb kebabs when we eat out. Now I can easily make at home with your recipe. Thanks for sharing
Mahy
Now you can make them at home Jo!
Jade
These look amazing! Cannot wait to try this!! I have never made these before thank you!
Mahy
Jade, you’ll love these!!
Jessica | The Novice Chef
We love lamb. Cannot wait to try this!
Mahy
Thanks Jessica!
Dee
These lamb kebabs are full of flavor and color, and I love it! So tasty
Mahy
Thanks Dee!
Sabrina
These are so delicious! Love them with tahini sauce.
Mahy
It’s the best combo isn’t it!
Chrissie Baker
Oh my goodness ?. Thank you for this recipe!! This is a good idea and amazing recipe too. Something very unique and colorful. Need to try it out.
Mahy
Hope you enjoy them Chrissie!
Cheese Curd In Paradise
This looks incredible! I love the lamb with all of the sauce and herbs on the nice pita bread. I can’t wait to give this recipe a try!
Mahy
Hope you try it soon!!
Jenni LeBaron
We love lamb at our house and you’ve spiced these perfectly. This would be a wonderful platter to serve with a tabbouleh, as you’ve suggested, and also some hummus! Yum!
Mahy
SO true Jenni!! Hummus works great here (with everything really lol) but you can’t miss out on the tahini sauce 🙂
Claudia Lamascolo
perfect for get togethers outside picnics and a fun way to serve lamb. I know everyone will enjoy these kabobs!
Mahy
Absolutely! Thanks Claudia!
Cara @ Street Smart Nutrtion
What a beautiful dish! Thanks for sharing these step-by-step tips, I’ve never attempted a lamb recipe but I’m a huge fan of all these other flavors and I feel like I could tackle this one!
Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes
Delicious and full of flavour – the ideal weekend meal to share with the family!
Mahy
So true Alexandra!
Mahy
Julie thank you!! Hope you enjoy them! 🙂
Shahinda
Sinply delicious! Love it
Mahy
Thanks Thalia, hope you enjoy them 🙂
elaine|ChinaSichuanFood
This looks so great! Lamb with spices is always my favorite food. Great photo too!
Mahy
Thanks Elaine! Hope you enjoy them!:)