These smoky, spiced lamb skewers are the kind of dish that makes a backyard grill feel like a street food stall in Marrakech. Ground lamb gets packed with grated onion, garlic, fresh parsley, cilantro, and a warm spice blend of cumin, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, smoked paprika, and a touch of cayenne — the result is deeply aromatic and bold without being overwhelming. The only fat in the entire recipe is extra virgin olive oil, used both in the meat mixture and to brush the grill, so there's no hidden seed oil lurking anywhere in the process. That matters more than you'd think, since many grilled meat recipes quietly call for vegetable or canola oil at the cooking stage. A quick chill in the fridge before grilling helps the kefta hold its shape on the skewer, and a few minutes over high heat gives you those irresistible char marks and a juicy, slightly crispy exterior. A squeeze of fresh lemon at the end cuts right through the richness and ties everything together beautifully.
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1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, for brushing the grill
For serving
¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
1 lemon, cut into wedges (optional)
Instructions
1
If using wooden skewers, submerge them in water and soak for at least 30 minutes so they don't char on the grill.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground lamb, grated onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, black pepper, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Mix with your hands until the spices and aromatics are evenly distributed throughout the meat, about 1–2 minutes — the mixture should feel cohesive and slightly tacky.
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