Lamb Kofta
Pan‑Fried Lamb Kofta with Yoghurt‑Tahini Sauce

A quick, aromatic lamb mince dish inspired by Middle Eastern kofta flavours — cumin, coriander, garlic, mint, cooked in a regular frying pan instead of a grill. Perfect for home kitchens: fast, flavourful, and easy to plate.

10 Mins. 15 Mins. 3-4
🛒 Ingredients:
Kofta Mixture
- 500g lamb shoulder mince
- 1 small onion, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp ground allspice (optional)
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh mint or parsley
- ½ tsp chilli flakes (optional)
- Salt & pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
👨🍳 Instructions:
- Combine all kofta ingredients in a bowl and mix well by hand.
- Shape into small torpedo‑shaped patties or round discs (about 2 tbsp each).
- Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium‑high heat.
- Cook koftas for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown. Because the torpedo shape is thicker in the centre, check doneness before serving — cut one open to confirm there's no pink remaining, or use a thermometer to check the centre has reached 71°C.
- Rest briefly before serving.
✨ Pro Tip
Pan‑frying gives you the same flavour profile as grilled kofta without needing skewers or charcoal. Avoid overcrowding the pan — space lets the edges crisp and develop that signature kofta texture. Shoulder mince, with its higher fat content, is what keeps these juicy through the pan — a leaner mince will dry out faster in this method.
🥣 Yoghurt‑Tahini Sauce
Prep Time: 5 mins Serves: 3–4
🛒 Ingredients:
- ½ cup Greek yoghurt
- 1 tbsp tahini
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh mint
- Salt to taste
👨🍳 Instructions:
- Whisk all ingredients together until smooth.
- Chill for 10 minutes before serving.
✨ Pro Tip
The tahini adds nutty depth that balances the spices in the kofta, and the mint ties the sauce back to the herbs already in the mixture — a small touch that pulls the whole plate together.
🍽️ Serving Suggestion
Serve koftas on a white plate with a spoonful of yoghurt‑tahini sauce, a scatter of fresh mint, and a side of flatbread. For a fuller plate, add a quick cucumber and tomato salad with a scatter of pomegranate seeds — the pomegranate's tartness cuts nicely through the richness of the lamb. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of sumac for colour.
🔍 Educational Notes
- Kofta is traditionally grilled on skewers, but pan‑frying is a practical, widely used alternative — and especially useful for HK kitchens, where grill or BBQ space is limited. See how to choose meat based on how you actually cook at home for more on adapting cuts and dishes to your kitchen setup.
- Shoulder mince is ideal for this style — its higher fat content keeps the kofta juicy and flavourful, unlike leaner cuts which can dry out with fast pan cooking.
This recipe uses: