Marinated Grilled Lamb Kebabs with Greek Salad and Oregano Vinaigrette offer a taste of the Mediterranean right in your backyard. This vibrant dish is perfect for any occasion that calls for a fresh, flavorful, and satisfying meal, especially when the weather beckons you to fire up the grill. While often associated with Easter, these tender Lamb Skewers are an exquisite choice for summer gatherings, weekend barbecues, or any time you crave a meal that’s both elegant and easy to prepare.
The secret to truly exceptional lamb kebabs lies in a well-crafted marinade, which not only infuses the meat with incredible flavor but also ensures every bite is remarkably tender. Paired with a generously portioned, authentic Greek Salad, bursting with fresh Mediterranean ingredients like succulent black olives, creamy feta cheese, tangy artichoke hearts, and ripe tomatoes, all tossed in a zesty Oregano Vinaigrette, you have a complete meal that will delight your senses. This combination is a culinary celebration, promising a memorable dining experience for family and friends.
Why This Grilled Lamb and Greek Salad Meal is a Must-Try
This recipe goes beyond a simple meal; it’s an experience designed to bring joy to your table. Here’s why these Marinated Grilled Lamb Kebabs with Greek Salad will quickly become a favorite:
- Unforgettable Flavor & Tenderness: The carefully crafted marinade works wonders, tenderizing the lamb while imparting a complex, aromatic flavor that truly stands out. Every piece of lamb is a testament to the power of a good soak.
- A Complete, Balanced Meal: Forget scrambling for side dishes. This recipe offers a perfectly balanced meal where the savory, rich lamb is wonderfully complemented by the crisp, refreshing Greek salad. It’s a harmonious pairing that caters to both your taste buds and nutritional needs.
- Year-Round Enjoyment: While often a festive centerpiece for holidays like Easter, these lamb kebabs are truly versatile. They are an ideal choice for summer grilling, bringing a vibrant Mediterranean flair to your warm-weather gatherings, but can be enjoyed any time of year.
- Healthy & Wholesome: Lamb is a lean protein, and when combined with the abundance of fresh vegetables in the Greek salad, this meal is packed with nutrients. It’s a delicious way to embrace a healthier lifestyle without sacrificing flavor.
- Effortless Entertaining: With much of the preparation (marinating and salad chopping) done ahead of time, this dish makes entertaining a breeze. You can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the company of your guests.
Expert Tips for Grilling Perfect Lamb Kebabs
Achieving perfectly grilled lamb kebabs is simpler than you might think. Follow these expert tips to ensure your lamb is tender, juicy, and packed with flavor every time:
- The Perfect Cut: Ensure your lamb is cut into uniform, bite-sized cubes, ideally about 1 to 1½-inches. This allows for even cooking and a delightful texture. Uneven pieces will cook at different rates, leading to some being overcooked and others undercooked.
- Consult Your Butcher: Don’t hesitate to ask your butcher for recommendations on the most tender cuts of lamb suitable for kebabs. Leg of lamb is an excellent choice, as is boneless lamb shoulder or lamb sirloin. They can often cut the lamb into cubes for you, saving you time.
- Embrace the Season: Spring is prime lamb season, offering a chance to find seasonal, grass-fed lamb that boasts a naturally mild and sweet flavor profile. However, high-quality lamb is available year-round for your grilling pleasure.
- Marinate for Maximum Flavor: For optimal flavor penetration and tenderization, marinate the lamb overnight, or for a minimum of 8 hours, up to 2 days, in a sealed zip-lock bag. This extended marinating time allows the acids in the wine and vinegar to break down the meat fibers and the herbs to deeply infuse their aromas. Remember to turn the bag occasionally to ensure all pieces are evenly coated.
- Achieve Ideal Doneness: Lamb kebabs are best enjoyed grilled to medium-rare to medium, depending on your personal preference. Aim for an internal temperature of 125 – 130°F (52-54°C) for medium-rare. Use a meat thermometer for accuracy.
- Add Flavor with Veggies: Skewering pieces of red onion between the lamb cubes not only adds visual appeal but also imparts a delicious, subtle sweetness and savory depth to the lamb as it cooks.
- Expand Your Skewer Palette: Get creative with your kebabs! Bell pepper pieces (red, yellow, or orange), vibrant cherry tomatoes, or even wedges of citrus like lemon or orange can add extra flavor, color, and texture to your lamb kabobs.
- Fresh vs. Dried Herbs: Fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme offer the most potent flavor. If fresh herbs are unavailable, you can substitute with dried herbs, but use approximately one-third of the amount specified for fresh herbs, as dried herbs are more concentrated.
- The Ultimate Pairing: Serve your perfectly grilled lamb kebabs with a large, fresh Greek salad (recipe below) for a truly magnificent and complete meal. The crispness of the salad cuts through the richness of the lamb beautifully.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lamb Kebabs
For succulent and tender kebabs, the leg of lamb is an excellent choice due to its balance of flavor and tenderness. Other great options include boneless lamb shoulder, which becomes incredibly tender when marinated, or lamb sirloin, known for its lean texture and rich taste. Always feel free to consult your butcher; they can provide personalized recommendations and even prepare the lamb into uniform cubes for you.
While a vibrant Greek Salad with its crisp vegetables and tangy dressing is the quintessential pairing, lamb kebabs are incredibly versatile. Consider serving them alongside a fluffy rice pilaf or aromatic couscous to soak up the delicious juices. Roasted vegetables like these simple Garlic Parmesan Roasted Green Beans, grilled asparagus, or zucchini planks also make fantastic accompaniments. Don’t forget warm pita bread and a side of creamy tzatziki sauce for an authentic Mediterranean feast!
Lamb benefits greatly from a good marinade. For optimal flavor infusion and tenderness, lamb, much like beef, can handle longer marinating times than more delicate proteins like fish or chicken. We recommend marinating for a minimum of 8 hours, or ideally overnight, and up to 24-48 hours. This allows the acidic components of the marinade to tenderize the meat and the herbs and spices to fully penetrate, resulting in a more flavorful and succulent kebab.
No, there is essentially no difference. Both terms refer to the same delicious dish: skewered pieces of meat (and often vegetables) grilled over an open fire or broiler. The spelling “kebab” is more commonly used in many parts of the world, particularly in Arabic-speaking countries and the UK, while “kabob” is a popular variant, especially in Armenia and Iran, and also widely used in North America. Regardless of spelling, the culinary delight remains the same!
Absolutely! Lamb kebabs are an excellent make-ahead meal. You can marinate the lamb cubes for up to two days in advance in the refrigerator. You can also thread the marinated lamb and vegetables onto skewers a few hours before grilling. Store them covered in the refrigerator until ready to cook. This preparation allows for quick grilling when it’s time to eat, making them ideal for entertaining or busy weeknights.
Yes, while grilling imparts a distinct smoky flavor, you can certainly cook lamb kebabs indoors. You can use a broiler, an indoor grill pan, or even bake them in the oven. For broiling, place skewers on a baking sheet and broil for 4-6 minutes per side, turning frequently, until desired doneness. For baking, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through, until cooked to your preference. Ensure to get a good sear if possible on a hot pan first for extra flavor.
Explore More Delicious Lamb Recipes
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The vibrant Lamb Marinade beautifully permeated the meat, transforming each cube into a tantalizing treat for the palate. The harmonious blend of red wine and vinegar worked diligently to tenderize the lamb, while the fresh herbs infused a most lovely and aromatic flavor that permeated every fiber. Serving these succulent skewers alongside a huge, crisp Greek salad, brimming with colorful veggies and creamy feta cubes, all brought together by a bright and zesty oregano vinaigrette, truly elevates this meal to culinary perfection. It’s not just a meal; it’s a marvelous dining experience that celebrates fresh ingredients and bold flavors.
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Marinated Grilled Lamb Kebabs
20 minutes
7 minutes
27 minutes
6 servings
Marinated Grilled Lamb Kebabs – tender, flavorful lamb skewers perfect for Easter, summer grilling, or any spring dinner, best served with a fresh Greek Salad!
Ingredients
For Lamb Kebabs
- 2 pounds lamb (inner portion of the leg, cut into 1½-inch cubes)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
- ¼ cup dry red wine
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Olive oil (optional, for marinade)
- 1 red onion (cut into eighths)
- ½ red and ½ yellow bell pepper, cut into squares similar in size to the lamb cubes
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine minced garlic, fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, dry red wine, red wine vinegar, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Add a slosh of olive oil if desired for a richer marinade.
- Place the lamb cubes and the prepared marinade into a zip-lock bag. Ensure the lamb is fully coated, then seal the bag and refrigerate overnight, or for up to 2 days, turning occasionally to distribute the marinade evenly.
- When ready to grill, thread the marinated lamb cubes onto skewers, alternating with pieces of red onion and bell pepper. Grill over medium-high heat to your desired doneness. For medium-rare (preferred), cook for about 5-6 minutes, turning once, depending on the size of your lamb cubes. Use a meat thermometer to ensure an internal temperature of 125-130°F (52-54°C) for medium-rare.
- Serve the grilled lamb kebabs immediately, ideally with a fresh Greek salad.
Notes
Adapted from a classic Ina Garten recipe, refined for grilled perfection.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 760
Total Fat: 60g
Saturated Fat: 20g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 36g
Cholesterol: 169mg
Sodium: 1042mg
Carbohydrates: 10g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 4g
Protein: 42g
The calorie count includes all the marinade and salad dressing. Nutritional information is an estimate.
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Best Greek Salad Recipe
A fresh, vibrant, and utterly delicious Greek-inspired salad featuring crisp vegetables, creamy feta, and a tangy oregano vinaigrette – the perfect accompaniment to any meal.
Ingredients
For Greek Salad
- 1 head Iceberg lettuce, cut into chunks
- 1 English cucumber, peeled and cubed
- 1 large red bell pepper, diced
- 1 large yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- 1-2 tablespoons diced red onion, finely minced
- ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and cut in half
- ⅓ pound feta cheese, cubed
- 1 jar or can of artichoke hearts, drained and cut in half
For Oregano Vinaigrette Dressing
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
Instructions
- In a large serving bowl, artfully arrange all the prepared salad ingredients: iceberg lettuce, English cucumber, red and yellow bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, and artichoke hearts.
- To prepare the dressing, combine the minced garlic, dried oregano, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, salt, and freshly ground pepper in a small bowl or jar.
- Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while continuously whisking (or shaking if using a jar) until the dressing is well emulsified and creamy.
- Just before serving, pour the oregano vinaigrette over the salad ingredients and toss gently to ensure everything is evenly coated. Serve immediately to enjoy the freshest flavors.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 216
Total Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Cholesterol: 17mg
Sodium: 441mg
Carbohydrates: 8g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 3g
Protein: 4g
Thatskinnychickcanbake.com occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although thatskinnychickcanbake.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased can change the nutritional information in any given recipe. Also, many recipes on thatskinnychickcanbake.com recommend toppings, which may or may not be listed as optional and nutritional information for these added toppings is not listed. Other factors may change the nutritional information such as when the salt amount is listed “to taste,” it is not calculated into the recipe as the amount will vary. Also, different online calculators can provide different results.
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