Lamb Meatballs
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
With the perfect combination of ground lamb, spices, and fresh herbs, these juicy Lebanese-inspired Lamb Meatballs are absolutely delicious and easy to make! Served with a simple yogurt mint sauce that is bursting with flavor, they can be baked in the oven or air fried!
Easy Lamb Meatballs Recipe
Self-proclaimed meatball lover here! In our house, we eat them a lot. My Romanian Meatballs are one of my favorites, of course! But I wanted to try something a little different for a change and use lamb instead of pork or beef. So I thought I’d go with Lebanese flavors and a yogurt sauce. And the results were amazing! In fact, so good that I made them again and again in both the oven and the air fryer!
These lamb meatballs are impressive. All the fresh herbs and spices make this dish special. They blend together perfectly with the lamb to create meatballs that are fragrant and delicious, but still tender and juicy regardless of how you cook them. And the yogurt mint sauce, which is infused with garlic and lemon only highlight the tasty lamb even more!
Why You’ll Love These Lamb Meatballs
- Easy Recipe! This is a simple recipe that you can whip together with very little time and effort! It requires no special skills or hard to find ingredients.
- Herby Fragrant Meatballs! Made with a combination of fresh herbs, warm spices, and tender ground lamb, these meatballs are full of Lebanese-inspired flavors.
- Versatile Dish! You can make the meatballs as big or as small as you like. This means that they can be served as a main dish or on a toothpick at a party!
- Ground Lamb – Ground lamb is used to make the yummy meatballs. You could also use a mix of beef and lamb if you prefer.
- Egg – Binds the meatballs together along with the breadcrumbs.
- Breadcrumbs – Make sure to use plain breadcrumbs. Panko also works too.
- Fresh Herbs – Use fresh parsley and mint for the best fresh herb flavor. Dried herbs will work, but fresh really makes a difference.
- Onion – I used brown onion, but any type of onion can be used.
- Spices – Allspice, cumin, and cinnamon are classic Lebanese spices used to add layers of flavor.
- Seasonings – Salt and black pepper are added to season the meatballs.
- Plain Yogurt – Flavorless yogurt works as the creamy base of the mint sauce. I like to use plain Greek yogurt.
- Mint – Adds freshness and a lovely hint of mint to the sauce that brings out all the flavors of the lamb.
- Garlic – Always use fresh garlic cloves for the best taste.
- Lemon – Fresh lemon juice adds the perfect touch of acid that complements the mint and garlic. You can use the lemon zest too if you like.
- Seasonings – A bit of salt and pepper are needed to bring out the flavors of the sauce.
This recipe is oh-so simple and the results are super tasty! Once the meat mixture is made you just have to decide if you want to cook them in the oven or the air fryer!
The first thing you need to do is make the sauce so that the flavors have time to meld while the meatballs are cooking. Add the plain yogurt, fresh mint, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to a medium bowl and then whisk everything together well. Now, set the sauce in the fridge to chill.
Before you begin the next step, you’ll need to preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) if you are baking the meatballs. Then line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. But if you are going to air fry the meatballs, you’ll need to preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C). However, whether or not you need to preheat your air fryer depends on your particular model. So take a look at your manufacturer’s guide.
Now let’s begin making meatballs! First, add the ground lamb, egg, breadcrumbs, herbs, onion, spices, salt, and black pepper to a large bowl. Then mix all the ingredients together really well with a wooden spoon or your hands until they are fully incorporated. I myself find that my hands do the best job.
Next, divide the meat mixture to form about 16 – 20 meatballs. Try your best to make all the balls about the same size and shape for even cooking. However, if you notice that your meatballs are not holding together well it could mean that the meat mixture is too wet or too dry. If they seem too wet add a little more of the breadcrumbs. If they are too dry add a bit more egg.
As explained, there are two choices when it comes to cooking. To bake, spread the meatballs out on the prepared baking sheet and then pop them into the oven for 20 to 30 minutes or until cooked through. To air fry, put the meatballs in the basket of your air fryer. Then put them into the air fryer and cook for 15 to 18 minutes.
Note, to be fully cooked the meatballs must have reached an internal temperature of at least 160°F (71°C) when checked with a digital cooking thermometer. So if they have not reached 160°F after cooking just put them back into the air fryer or oven for a few more minutes.
When the meatballs are done, transfer them to your favorite dish and serve them with the yogurt sauce to enjoy! They are wonderful with some pita bread along with some fresh cucumber and tomatoes.
Why Do My Meatballs Keep Falling Apart?
The most common reason that meatballs fall apart is that they are too dry. You probably used too many breadcrumbs in the meat mixture. This is why it is especially important to properly measure out all the ingredients.
Can I Fry The Meatballs?
Yes, of course! Once the meatballs are made just heat some olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Then add the meatballs to the pan in a single layer and cook them until they are well browned on all sides and fully cooked.
Expert Tips
- Test the meatballs. To see if your meatballs need more salt, cook about a teaspoon of the meat mixture to taste before forming it into balls.
- Use a cookie scoop. You can use a small cookie scoop to portion out the meat mixture. It’s a great way to make meatballs that are all exactly the same size.
- Temp the lamb meatballs. To make sure your meatballs are fully cooked you will want to use an instant-read digital meat thermometer to ensure they have reached at least 160°F (74°C).
Storage
Lamb meatballs will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply put them in the microwave for a few minutes on medium heat or in the oven at 350°F (176°C) for about 10 minutes. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months in an airtight container or freezer bag.
Make Ahead
This recipe can easily be made ahead of time. Once the meat mixture is formed into meatballs, wrap them well in plastic wrap and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Then when you are ready to serve, cook them as instructed in the recipe. Yet, if frozen, the meatballs will need to be thawed out overnight in the fridge before cooking.
Other Delicious Lamb Recipes To Try
- Lamb Chops with Garlic Mint Sauce
- Greek Lamb Burgers
- Lamb and Chickpea Tagine
- Turkish Gozleme with Lamb
- Easy Kofta (Beef Or Lamb)
- Herb Crusted Rack Of Lamb
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Lamb Meatballs
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground lamb
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup parsley (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons mint (chopped)
- 1 medium onion (grated or finely chopped)
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (ground)
- 1 teaspoon salt
Yogurt Mint Sauce
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- ½ cup fresh mint (chopped)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- salt and pepper (to taste)
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Add the plain yogurt, fresh mint, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to a medium bowl and then whisk everything together well. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
- Add the ground lamb, egg, breadcrumbs, herbs, onion, spices, salt, and black pepper to a large bowl. Then mix all the ingredients together really well with a wooden spoon or your hands until they are fully incorporated.
- Shape the meat into 1 inch meatballs. I find it easier to use a small cookie scoop. You should get anywhere from 16 to 20 meatballs, depending on size.
- Spray your air fryer basket with cooking oil then place the meatballs in the basket in a single layer. Spray the meatballs with a bit more cooking spray.
- Air fry the meatballs for 15 to 18 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through, at least 160°F (71°C) when checked with a digital cooking thermometer.
- Serve the meatballs with the yogurt mint sauce and enjoy!
Equipment
Notes
- Recipe yields around 16-20 meatballs.
- Test the meatballs. To see if your meatballs need more salt, cook about a teaspoon of the meat mixture to taste before forming it into balls.
- Use a cookie scoop. You can use a small cookie scoop to portion out the meat mixture. It’s a great way to make meatballs that are all exactly the same size.
- Temp the lamb meatballs. To make sure your meatballs are fully cooked you will want to use an instant-read digital meat thermometer to ensure they have reached at least 160°F (74°C).
Nutrition Information
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
