Lamb Meatballs
Lamb mince with cumin, mint and breadcrumbs shaped into small meatballs and fried for 12 minutes, served in a tomato and chickpea sauce.
Before You Start
Do not overwork the mince.
Brown in batches.
If your hob runs hot, check at 6 minutes.
Wet your hands for rolling.
Cooking Lamb Meatballs
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Mix the lamb, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, half the garlic, cumin, half the mint and the salt until combined. Roll into 24 balls.
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Brown the meatballs in the oil in two batches for 4 minutes each. Set aside.
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Add the remaining garlic, tomatoes, chickpeas and water to the pan and return the meatballs.
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Simmer for 8 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through. Scatter with the remaining mint.
Why the Method Works
Lamb makes a more fragrant meatball than beef: it is richer and sweeter, and it takes cumin, mint and garlic the way few meats do. A tomato and chickpea sauce makes the dish a full meal.
Mix the mince with the breadcrumbs, egg, onion and spices, but only until combined. Overworked mince goes tight and rubbery. Wet your hands to roll the mixture into 24 balls about the size of a walnut.
Brown the meatballs in a hot pan, in two batches, for about 4 minutes each, turning to colour every side. They do not need to cook through, since they finish in the sauce.
Tip in the tomatoes, chickpeas and a splash of water, and simmer gently for 8 minutes until the sauce thickens and the meatballs are cooked through. If your hob runs hot, check at 6 minutes. Scatter with mint and serve with couscous or warm flatbread. Serve them hot from the pan, as lamb fat sets firm and greasy as it cools.
Storage and Reheating
Keeps in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat gently in the sauce.
Swaps and Variations
- An eighth of a teaspoon of garlic powder per clove is the usual stand-in when you are out of fresh garlic — it will not caramelise the same way, but it carries the flavour.
Serving Lamb Meatballs
- Couscous
- Flatbread
- Yoghurt
- Green salad
Common Questions About Lamb Meatballs
How long does Lamb Meatballs take to make?
About 30 minutes in total — 15 minutes of preparation and 15 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 4.
What are the key tips for making Lamb Meatballs?
Do not overwork the mince. Brown in batches. If your hob runs hot, check at 6 minutes. Wet your hands for rolling.
What should I serve with Lamb Meatballs?
Couscous; Flatbread; Yoghurt; Green salad.
How should Lamb Meatballs be stored?
Keeps in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat gently in the sauce.
Is Lamb Meatballs suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is high-protein and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Lamb Meatballs?
About 580 kcal per serving, with 33 g protein, 31 g carbohydrate and 36 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
What's in a Serving
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
Reader Reviews
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.
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