3 Easy Ground Lamb Recipes (2024)

Choosing ground lamb is an easy way to make quick every day meals.

Lamb is among the most common meats consumed throughout the world. It’s a flavorful, tender meat that lends itself well to a variety of flavors and spices. Ground lamb recipes are healthy, versatile, affordable and delicious. Try lamb in meatballs, tacos, burgers, or stir fry’s, scroll down for three of my favorite ground lamp recipes.

It’s especially flavorful when you pair your ground lamb meat with globally-inspired spices:

Asian Spices– Curry, Ginger, Mustard seed

Mediterranean Spices– Greek Oregano, Garlic, Lemon Peel, Mint

Latin Spices – Cumin, Ancho or Chipotle Chile Powder, Garlic

Middle Eastern Spices – Coriander, Paprika, Cinnamon

Morroccan Inspired spice mix for ground lamb meatballs – Use a mixture of Cumin, Paprika, Coriander, Salt, Pepper, Cinnamon, Allspice, Garlic, Cloves & Cayenne Pepper.

Lamb can turn ordinary ground beef recipes into a journey of global flavors that your whole family will enjoy!

Grilled Lamb Burgers with Green Onions in Pita Recipe

3 Easy Ground Lamb Recipes (1)

Burger Ingredients
2 pounds certified halal American ground lamb
1/2 cup finely chopped green onions
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

8 medium pita breads, whole wheat or regular, cut into halves
Olive oil for brushing

Cucumber Yogurt Ingredients (optional)
2 cups finely chopped or shredded cucumber
2 cups plain yogurt
1 tablespoon crushed dried mint
1 clove garlic, finely grated
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
– Drain cucumber of any liquid and combine with the yogurt, mint, garlic, salt and pepper. Serve chilled.

Directions
In a large bowl combine lamb, green onions, cumin, cinnamon, lemon juice and salt.

Preheat grill or grill pan. Stuff the pita bread halves with the lamb mixture, spreading and filling to edges.

Brush the pita on each side with olive oil and grill until the filling is cooked through and the pita brown and crispy, 5-7 minutes per side. Let cool 5 minutes before serving with cucumber yogurt sauce, if desired.

Pasta with Ground Lamb, Broccolini, and Pecorino Recipe

3 Easy Ground Lamb Recipes (2)

Pasta Ingredients
1 tablespoon plus 1 tsp kosher salt
1 pound orecchiette pasta
1 bunch broccolini (about 12 ounces), cut into 1-inch pieces
3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/4 pounds ground lamb
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
3/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Directions
Bring about 6 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot and season it with 1 tablespoon of salt. Add the pasta and cook until almost tender but still a little underdone, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes. Add the broccolini to the pot and cook 3 minute more, until the pasta is al dente and the broccolini is bright green and crisp-tender. Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup of the cooking water.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a Dutch oven or other large pot. Add the lamb and break it up into small chunks. cook, stirring occasionally, until the lamb is deeply browned and a little crispy, about 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic and the pepper flakes (to taste), season with 1 teaspoon of salt, and cook about 1 minute longer.

Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir the pasta and broccolini into the pot with the lamb. Add the reserved cooking water and continue cooking about 1 to 2 minutes more, to allow the pasta to absorb the flavors. Sprinkle in about 1/2 cup of the cheese and stir to combine well. Serve the pasta in warm bowls with the remaining 1/4 cup of cheese sprinkled over the top.

Ground Lamb & Goat Cheese Pizza Recipe

3 Easy Ground Lamb Recipes (3)

Pizza Ingredients
1 package pre-made whole grain or almond flour pizza dough
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 pound ground lamb
1 medium shallot, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup sliced pepperoncini peppers
3/4 cup goat cheese crumbles
2 cups arugula (about 2 ounces)

Directions
Brush rimmed baking sheet with 1 teaspoon oil. Using your hands, spread pre-made pizza dough over entire length of baking sheet, pushing dough to edge (or roll out on floured surface and transfer to pan). Bake for 5 minutes at 450ºF. Remove from oven; set aside.

In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add lamb, shallot, garlic, tomato paste, oregano, salt and pepper; cook until ground lamb is completely browned, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Brush par-baked crust with 1 teaspoon oil. Evenly distribute cooked lamb and pepperoncini; top with crumbled goat cheese. Bake for about 15 minutes, until cheese looks slightly melted and edges of crust are golden brown. Toss arugula with remaining 1 teaspoon oil; set aside. Remove pizza from oven and top with dressed arugula.

You can find more every day, easy lamb dinner ideas at American Lamb.com! Whether you like to grill, roast, or braise lamb – They have hundreds of delicious lamb recipes to tempt your taste buds.

How often do you incorporate lamb into your dinner rotations? Be sure to leave us a comment below.

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3 Easy Ground Lamb Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How should ground lamb be cooked? ›

Lamb patties and ground lamb mixtures such as meat loaf should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F (71.1° C), and measured with a food thermometer before removing meat from the heat source. For reasons of personal preference, consumers may choose to cook meat to higher temperatures.

What is the most popular lamb dish? ›

Some of the most popular lamb dishes include rack of lamb, lamb chops, lamb shank, lamb kebabs, and lamb curry. Whether you prefer your lamb slow-cooked and tender, or grilled to perfection, there are endless possibilities for creating delicious and satisfying meals with this versatile meat.

How to ground lamb at home? ›

Place the cubed meat onto a pan and pop it into the freezer for 15 minutes to firm up. This makes it easier for the meat to be chopped up fine rather than be turned to mush. Place the cubed meat into the food processor, ½ pound at a time. Pulse 10-15 times, or until the meat is ground fine.

What are common ways to cook lamb? ›

Lamb loin roast is best prepared using dry heat cooking methods such as roasting, grilling, or broiling. Cook lamb loin with care, as it can dry out easily if overcooked. Other cooking methods for lamb loin roast include brushing the loin with oil and sprinkling it with salt and pepper before grilling or broiling.

How long should ground lamb be cooked? ›

Bake until patties are well-browned and internal temperature is at least 165 degrees—25 to 30 minutes. Don't skip the olive oil; ground lamb tends to be very lean so it needs some fat to keep it juicy.

How to make lamb taste good? ›

The big, bold Lamb flavor goes well with spices like coriander seeds, cumin, curry powder, harissa paste, garlic, rosemary, oregano, thyme, black pepper, chilly flakes, and mint. Spices compliment Lamb, but it also holds its flavor with just salt and pepper.

How to eat ground lamb? ›

Shape ground lamb into meatballs for a tasty appetizer, stuff it into halved eggplant with pine nuts, or season it Indian-style and sandwich it into a bun for what chef Meherwan Irani affectionately calls a "Sloppy Jai." These inventive ground lamb recipes are sure to refresh your repertoire.

What pairs well with lamb? ›

8 light and simple sides to go with lamb
  • Dijon mustard glazed carrots. ...
  • Herby roasted Jersey Royals. ...
  • Zesty spring greens. ...
  • Roast baby leeks with oak-smoked bacon croutons. ...
  • Peas with pancetta. ...
  • Roast courgettes with lemon. ...
  • Roasted garlic and clementine carrots. ...
  • Roasted butternut squash with garlic and parsley.

Is lamb healthier than beef? ›

If we look at fatty acids, like CLA and omega-3's, lamb comes out victorious and can be seen as marginally healthier. If we look at vitamins, like B12 and zinc, beef comes out victorious. The bottom line is both are excellent and both should be eaten with abundance!

Is ground lamb better than hamburger? ›

Lamb is a nutrient-rich meat high in protein, iron, and vitamin B12. It is also lower in fat and calories than beef. Beef is a nutrient-dense meat high in protein, iron, and vitamin B12. It also has more calories and fat than lamb.

Is ground lamb good or bad for you? ›

It is a delicious and rich source of protein that has important vitamins and minerals. When consumed in moderation, it is a healthy addition to a well-balanced diet. Like other red meats, lamb can increase your chances of developing certain chronic illnesses. Experts recommend eating red meat in moderation.

Should I wash ground lamb? ›

USDA research found that washing or rinsing meat or poultry increases the risk for cross-contamination in the kitchen, which can cause foodborne illness. If you wash meat or poultry, some bacteria can be splashed on the surfaces of your kitchen.

How does Gordon Ramsay cook lamb? ›

And when you have a gorgeous cut, like a rack of lamb, you can cook it the good ol' Gordon Ramsay way—which is to say, lightly pan-sear it first, then baste it with an herby, garlicky butter, and finally finish it off in the oven until it's still pink and juicy in the middle. It comes out perfectly every time.

What is the healthiest way to eat lamb? ›

The way that lamb is prepared will certainly increase the benefits for you. When cooking lamb, you will want to consider grilling, broiling, or roasting it in order to reduce the fat content.

Do you cook lamb fast or slow? ›

Lower temp = more succulent meat – Tough cuts like lamb shoulder need slow-cooking to tenderise them.

Does ground lamb need to be cooked well-done? ›

Ground lamb should be cooked to at least 160º. But don't serve immediately. Resting your lamb will allow the juices to settle. Wait 10 minutes before serving roasts and just five minutes for chops.

Does ground lamb need to be fully cooked? ›

For safety, the USDA recommends cooking lamb patties and ground lamb mixtures such as meat loaf to a safe minimum internal temperature of 160 °F as measured by a food thermometer. Cook all organ and variety meats (such as heart, kidney, liver and tongue) to 160 °F.

Is ground lamb safe to eat medium-rare? ›

As we mentioned earlier, ground lamb or lamb burgers should never be cooked rare. The large surface area on ground lamb causes it to be too dangerous to eat. This same rule applies to lamb sausage, lamb kebabs, and lamb stuffing (usually ground lamb and vegetables used to stuff a leg of lamb).

Should lamb be medium or well-done? ›

The USDA recommends cooking lamb to 145°F, which will result in medium-well doneness. 1 This is the official guideline for safely cooking lamb, but many chefs and cooks prefer their lamb rarer.

References

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