Spiced lamb patties and couscous with apricots. A whole meal that you will love to make over and over how easy and savory this dish is to make.
Spring is always, to me, lamb season. This year I wanted to expand my culinary journey by making some lamb patties—something new in our kitchen and very well welcomed.
I love the earthiness of the lamb and the added spices, which are rich in flavor and savory.
Coriander and cumin are the only spices used with this dish, and they bring out the best foot forward in taste. The couscous is enhanced by the sweetness of the apricots and balanced off with the cumin.
Couscous is the perfect side dish for lamb patties. Consistent in flavor, and yet not too heavy or overpowering the flavors of your dish.
The lamb has this excellent coriander and garlic undertone, which is not overpowering and will make you return for more.
It took about 25 minutes to prepare this wonderful dish. Easy to prepare on a weeknight, even with all the bustle of life around you. A little bit of the Mediterranean in your dish
Spiced Lamb Patties
Lamb patties are crisp, and they taste less gamey than the chop. Therefore, it plays well with strong spices such as cumin, fennel, chili flakes, coriander, garlic, cayenne, and nutmeg.
Furthermore, because of the very rich flavor, it does not need much work to enjoy them.
Mixing plain yogurt or any greek style of yogurt with the lamb, the meat is tenderized by it.
I would not recommend using regular yogurt as it will be too watery and not allow the ground lamb meat to bind well.
What is Greek Yogurt?
Greek yogurt is also known as a concentrated or strained yogurt, made by eliminating the whey and other liquids from regular yogurt.
High protein content, less added sugar and a much thicker consistency.
Greek yogurt is not and should not contain thickening agents.
Fat-free yogurt can also be substituted in this recipe.
Mint and Lamb
I love mint but never was fond of mint jelly. Somehow jelly to me is breakfast, and lamb is quite the opposite. However, the mint goes wonderfully with the lamb. It brings a freshness to the earthiness of the meat.
The lamb complemented the mint.
The mint, lemon juice, and greek yogurt combination bring to the plate a very rich in flavor sauce that has a burst of freshness with each bite.
Cooking tips and step-by-step instructions to create this excellent Spiced Lamb Patties and Couscous With Apricots
This recipe goes relatively fast once you start. My suggestion is to start with making the yogurt mint sauce before starting. This will allow time for the flavors to blend.
- Watch that the chicken stock for the couscous does not evaporate too much when coming to a full boil before you add the couscous. You do not want your couscous to be too dry and form clumps.
- When cooking the spiced lamb patties, use a skillet that has high boards and cook over medium heat. The lamb contains a lot of fat which will be released while frying them. This fat will splatter; therefore, the high-side skillet will help form making a mess around your work area.
- Place the cooked patties on a cooling wire rack to release the last bit of fat before you enjoy them.
When all your patties are ready, fluff the couscous, taste it, and season it.
Serve your beautiful dish with a bed of couscous, spiced lamb patties, and a dollop of minted yogurt.
If you enjoy this dish, check out these flavorful recipes:
Seared Salmon with Peas, Potatoes and Mint
Turkey Sausage Boulettes – or Patties
Equipment and ingredients needed to prepare this dish
Spiced Lamb Patties and Couscous with Apricots
Ingredients
- ½ cup dried apricots ½ cup dried apricots cut into small chunks
- 1½ cup fine couscous 1½ cup fine couscous
- 2 cups sodium-free chicken broth 2 cups sodium-free chicken broth
- salt salt
- 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1½ pound ground lamb 1½ pound ground lamb
- 6 tablespoons Greek yogurt 6 tablespoons Greek yogurt
- 3 garlic cloves 3 large garlic cloves, mashed to a paste with a pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon coriander 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- black pepper Black pepper
- 3 tablespoons olive oil 3 tablespoons light olive oil
- 2 tablespoons mint 2 tablespoons finely chopped mint
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine 4 tablespoons yogurt, 1 ½ tablespoons mint, salt and pepper, and lemon juice. Set aside.
- In a large saucepan, combine the chicken broth, apricots, salt, and ¼ teaspoon cumin. Bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in the couscous, remove from the heat, and cover. Let it sit until all the liquid has been absorbed, timing according to packing direction.
- Meanwhile in a bowl combine the lamb, 1 tablespoon of yogurt, the garlic, coriander, and the remaining ¾ teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Mix by hand making sure you do not overmix the mixture. Shape into 8 equal patties.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a heavy 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add the patties and cook, turning once. Once browned on the outside, slightly pink on the inside remove and place on a cooling rack.
- Fluff the couscous with a fork. Mix the remaining oil, and season with salt and pepper.
- Divide the couscous and patties among 4 plates. Add a dollop of the minted yogurt on the side and garnish with the remaining mint.
Nutrition
Giangi's Kitchen provides nutritional information, but these figures should be considered estimates, as a registered dietician does not calculate them.
- Course: Beef, Veal & Lamb, Pasta, Rice & Grains, Dinners, Sunday Night Dinner
- Cuisine: International
- Occasion: Father's Day
- Type: Under 45 minutes
Did you make this?
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Rosanna Stevens
This was utterly delicious, the lamb patties were moist and tasty and I loved the cous cous cooked in chicken stock – it added so much depth of flavour.
Giangi Townsend
Thank you so much for your trying my recipe. I am so happy you enjoyed it.
Ashley
This was a lovely meal, the mint, apricot & greek yogurt paired together so well!
Giangi Townsend
Thank you, Ashley! I a so happy you enjoyed it!
Jere Cassidy
My store is just now starting to carry lamb, yeah! First of all the couscous itself with the apricots is so good. The recipe for making the lamb patties is super simple with the right amount of herbs.
Giangi Townsend
It is the perfect last-minute dinner at my house.
Enjoy!
Daniel Ng
Spiced lamb patties and couscous with apricots, such exotic food. It must taste excellent.
Giangi Townsend
Quite a flavorful combination
Jenn
Love this combination – lamb and apricots are so great together! I’ll have to try this sometime soon.
Giangi Townsend
You will enjoy it.
Bon Appetit!
Jeanine
Another fantastic recipe I do love lamb and mint yoghurt… I now can add cous cous and apricot… thank you again
Giangi Townsend
The pleasure is all mine.
Enjoy!
nancy
i love the flavours of the lamb patties and it’s perfect meal! so juicy
Giangi Townsend
Thank you!
Joanna
I love this combo! I really like to sweeten my couscous, and I usually do it with dried cranberries or raising but I can’t wait to try this idea with apricots.
Giangi Townsend
I love raisins too, but wanted to do something different. I am sure you will enjoy it.
Shelbh
The apricots gave this such a burst of flavor!
Giangi Townsend
They are my favorite with couscous.
Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady
I have yet to try lamb, but I think if I did this would be the way to go. The patties look so delicious and that couscous sounds lovely.
Giangi Townsend
Thank you and I hope you will give it a ry
Jeannie
I would like to try to make the patties in advance and cook when Im ready to have meal.
Giangi Townsend
Absolutely, they can be refrigerated for a day.
Enjoy!
Mihaela | https://theworldisanoyster.com/
My partner loves the lamb, but I’m not such a great fan (of meats, in general). Although in this combination of flavours, I would give it a go. Recipe noted for a weekend dinner.
Giangi Townsend
Thank you, I am sure you will enjoy it.
Bon Appetit!
Christina
This savory dish is perfectly balanced with a touch of sweetness thanks to the addition of the apricots. Your flavor combos are always spot on, thanks for another great recipe.
Giangi Townsend
Thank you, Christina, the pleasure is all mine.
Sue
What an amazing balance of flavors. Thank you for another great recipe!
Giangi Townsend
The pleasure is all mine, Thank you for stopping by my corner of the world
Brittany F.
This is a great recipe. The lamb is so flavorful and apricots took the dish to the next level!
Giangi Townsend
Thank you! I am pleased you enjoyed it
nancy
the apricot is so flavourful. i love this pairing with the lamb!
Giangi Townsend
Thank you! One of my favorite
fede
These lamb patties were super delicious, and moist. I fell in love with the combination of lamb and the apricot cuscus. A scrumptious find. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Giangi Townsend
The pleasure is all mine and I am happy you enjoyed it.
Thank you for your feedback.
Olga
So good! Looks delicious
Giangi Townsend
Thank you!
Tressa
This was the perfect meal. I am printing this one and making it a part of our regular rotation.
Giangi Townsend
Thank you so much for your feedback.
Bianca
This was amazing! The couscous and lamb go so well together and I love the added sweetness from the apricots
Giangi Townsend
Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed it.
Roma
The combination of mint & apricots with lamb is absolutely divine!
Giangi Townsend
I am so happy you enjoyed it.