Lamb is often associated with elegant dinners and special occasions, but it’s also a versatile ingredient that can be used to create delicious, easy, and quick meals for family dinners. If you’re looking to add some variety to your weeknight menu, lamb can be a great choice. In the following article, Superior Farms in Denver shares a collection of simple lamb recipes suitable for family meals, with a focus on quick preparation and kid-friendly flavors.
Why Choose Lamb for Weeknight Meals?
Lamb is not only rich in flavor but also packed with essential nutrients. It is a good source of high-quality protein, iron, zinc, and B vitamins. When sourced from pasture-raised or ethically raised farms, lamb can be a sustainable and health-conscious choice. Here are some reasons to consider lamb for your family meals:
- Quick Cooking: Many cuts of lamb, such as lamb chops and ground lamb, cook quickly, making them ideal for weeknight meals.
- Versatile Flavors: Lamb pairs well with a variety of herbs and spices, allowing you to create different flavor profiles to suit your family’s taste.
- Kid-Friendly Options: Lamb can be prepared in ways that appeal to children, such as burgers, meatballs, and skewers.
Recipe 1: Greek-Style Lamb Burgers
Lamb burgers are a great way to introduce your family to lamb, and they are quick and easy to prepare. Here’s a recipe for Greek-style lamb burgers that combines Mediterranean flavors with kid-friendly appeal.
Ingredients:
• 1 slice white bread, crust removed and cut into ¼-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons milk
• ¼ cup finely chopped shallots, from 1 to 2 shallots
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1½ pounds ground lamb (not lean; 80/20 beef may be substituted)
• 6 pita bread rounds* (hamburger buns may be substituted)
Toppings:
• 1 small head iceberg lettuce, shredded
• 2 tomatoes, thinly sliced
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 6 ounces crumbled feta cheese
Instructions:
Preheat the grill to high heat.
Combine the bread pieces and milk in a medium bowl. Mash with a fork until a paste forms. Add the shallots, garlic, mint, oregano, salt, and pepper; mix well. Add the lamb, then use your hands to mix until well combined. Form the meat mixture into 6 oval-shaped patties about ½-inch thick.
Oil the grilling grates. Grill the patties, covered, until nicely browned on the first side, 2 to 4 minutes. Flip the burgers and cook for a few minutes more until desired doneness is reached. Place burgers on a tray and cover with foil while you warm pita rounds on the grill.
Note: There are two types of pita bread: pita pockets and pocketless pitas. You can use either for this recipe. For pita pockets, be sure they are at least 6 inches wide. Trim off the top ¼ of each round and stuff the burgers and toppings inside. For pocketless pitas, serve burgers open-faced or, if pitas are large enough, wrap them around burgers.
Make-Ahead/Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The uncooked burgers can be made and refrigerated up to one day ahead of time or frozen for up to three months. (Freeze the burgers on a baking sheet or plate so their shape sets, then transfer them to a sealable plastic bag for easy storage.) Defrost the burgers overnight in the refrigerator prior to serving and then cook as directed.
Recipe 2: Lamb and Vegetable Skewers
Skewers are a fun and interactive way to serve lamb, and they are perfect for busy weeknights. This recipe uses lamb chunks and a variety of vegetables to create a colorful and tasty meal.
Ingredients:
• 1 pound cubed lamb (fat trimmed)
• 1 small yellow onion (divided in quarters)
• 1 large red, green, or orange bell pepper (or a combination of 1 or more)
• 10 button mushrooms (leave whole or slice in half)
Marinade:
• ¼ cup red wine
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon sumac powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon allspice
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Instructions:
Before you make the marinade, cube the lamb into 1-½” to 2″ cubes, trimming any excess fat. Prepare the vegetables by chopping them in 2″ sections.
Whisk wine, olive oil, and spices. Add minced garlic, then mix to combine.
Pour marinade over cubed lamb and vegetables. Stir to make sure the bowl ingredients are completely covered with the marinade. Marinate for a minimum of two hours or overnight.
When ready to grill, alternate the cubed lamb and vegetables on metal skewers. You should have at least 3 skewers with approximately 6 cubes of lamb on each. If you’re only serving two people, you can divide the meat between two skewers. The remaining vegetables can be roasted in a grill basket.
Place the skewers and grill basket on a hot barbecue and grill, covered, for approximately 4 to 5 minutes per side, for a total of 8 to 10 minutes. Stir the vegetables when you flip the kabobs.
Sprinkle the kabobs with additional sumac right before you take them off of the grill.
Notes:
For easier cleanup, marinate the kabobs in a large ziplock bag. If you don’t have a grill basket, skewer the vegetables on another skewer.
If using wooden skewers, make sure you soak them in water first for approximately 30 minutes and up to an hour. This will help to keep the bamboo skewers from burning on the grill.
The longer that you marinate the lamb the better your Lamb Shish Kabobs flavor will be. Marinate the lamb the night before you plan on grilling the kabobs if possible. Otherwise, you can prepare them in the morning and cooking them later for dinner. Or marinate the lamb for at least 2 hours prior to grilling it.
A pinch of ground cloves can be added to the marinade and tastes wonderful with lamb. Some people also like to add cinnamon as well. If you choose to add cinnamon, add ⅛ of a teaspoon so that it’s not overpowering.
Marinated Sumac Onions, Pink Onions, or Pickled Turnips really complement this Lamb Shish Kabob recipe.
Conclusion
These lamb recipes are simple, quick, and suitable for family dinners. Whether you’re grilling baking or sautéing, lamb can be a versatile addition to your weeknight menu. By incorporating lamb products into your family’s meals, you can enjoy the rich flavors and health benefits while keeping preparation time to a minimum.