These grilled lamb kebabs are marinated in a mixture of Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon, rosemary, and garlic and are packed with flavor. They are a delicious change up from your typical chicken and beef kebabs and they're perfect for summer grilling!
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Why this recipe works
This Greek lamb kebab recipe is one of my all-time favorite recipes for kebabs. The yogurt marinade is similar to a souvlaki marinade but uses rosemary instead of oregano. And the addition of Greek yogurt helps to tenderize the meat even more than lemon juice alone, so it's super tender.
The yogurt kebab marinade goes great on chicken, beef, and, my favorite, lamb. It's fresh, bright, and tangy and packed with TONS of flavor. You'll definitely want to use high quality olive oil and fresh lemon and garlic in this marinade for the best results.
Greek yogurt marinade
To make the Greek lamb marinade, zest 1 lemon and squeeze the juice from 2 lemons in a mixing bowl. Stir in ¼ cup of olive oil, 1 cup of Greek yogurt, 3 cloves of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh rosemary, 1 teaspoon of Kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, then stir until well combined.
Preparing the lamb
I prefer to use a boneless leg of lamb or top round lamb for kebabs. You'll be able to get nice sized chunks of meat without too much gristle and fat. This marinade will also work on lamb chops, whole leg of lamb, or chicken too.
Cut the lamb into around 1 ½ to 2 inch cubes trying to keep them fairly similar in size. I usually end up with some that are smaller and so I set those to the side and put them all together on one skewer so I can cook it a minute or two less than the larger pieces.
Once you have your meat cut, place it into a large resealable plastic bag or storage container. Pour the marinade on top then mix it around until all of the meat is well coated. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, up to 1 day.
After the meat has marinated, remove from the bag and thread it on to skewers alternating between meat and 1-2 inch pieces of red onion. Don't pack the meat on too tightly or it will not cook evenly.
Grilling the kebabs
For this lamb kebab recipe we will be cooking with direct heat. First clean the grates thoroughly then coat lightly with olive oil.
For a gas grill set the burners to medium-high. For charcoal grills place an even layer of hot coals around the grill.
Then add your skewers and cook for about 8 minutes, turning occasionally.
How to serve the lamb kebabs
My favorite way to serve these Greek yogurt marinated lamb kebabs is as pita wraps, topped with fresh homemade tzatziki sauce. I serve them with warm pitas and fresh cut vegetables like lettuce, cucumber, and tomatoes and let everyone make their own wrap.
They're also great with a side of steamed basmati rice or grilled veggies like zucchini or on top of a salad.
Recipe tips and FAQs
Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through.
Yes, you can totally make this dish inside using your oven broiler too! Prepare as directed through step 3.
Place an oven rack in the top portion of your oven, set the broiler to high, and allow it to preheat.
Cook the lamb for 4 minutes then flip and cook for another 4 minutes or until cooked through.
More Great Grilling Recipes
- Marinated Pork Chops
- Greek Chicken Souvlaki Kabobs
- Grilled Asian Short Ribs
- Chili Lime Grilled Chicken Wings
📖 Recipe
Greek Yogurt Marinated Lamb Kebabs
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds boneless leg of lab, or top round
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup olive oil, plus additional for preparing the grill grates
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 lemon
- 2 Tablespoons Lemon juice, 2 lemons
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 medium red onion, cut into 1 inch pieces
Instructions
- Combine the Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl and stir to combine.
- Cut the lamb into 1½ to 2 inch cubes and trim any fat, gristle, or silver skin. Place the lamb in a large resealable plastic bag or glass container and pour the marinade over top. Stir until the meat is well coated then seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, up to 1 day.
- Thread the meat loosely onto skewers alternating with pieces of red onion.
- Thoroughly clean your grill grates then brush or wipe with olive oil then set to medium high and allow to preheat for around 5 minutes. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for around 8 minutes, turning occasionally.
- Transfer the cooked skewers to a platter and let rest for about 5 minutes then serve warm with tzatziki sauce, warm pita bread, chopped cucumber, lettuce, and tomatoes.
Nutrition
* All nutrition information we provide are estimates based on third party calculators. We encourage you to calculate these on your own for accurate results.
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