Low-Carb Lamb Kofta Meatballs {Keto, Gluten-Free}

Kofta is a family of meatball or meatloaf dishes found in the Indian subcontinent, South Caucasian, Middle Eastern, Balkan, and Central Asian cuisines. 

Koftas usually consist of balls of minced or ground meat— beef, chicken, lamb, or pork—mixed with spices and/or onions.

These low-carb kofta meatballs combine the best flavors of Indian cuisine into a simple, easy-to-prepare low-carb lunch or dinner. There are less than 6 grams of carbs per serving, so you'll have no problem sticking to your paleo or keto diet.

They're also loaded with protein and healthy fats, so you'll stay full longer and give your muscles the building blocks they need to add lean muscle.

We think you're going to love this Middle Eastern take on a classic meatball recipe!

If you make this recipe, be sure to post a photo on Instagram and tag @fatissmartfuel!

This Recipe Is:

• Keto | Low-carb | Gluten-free
• High in protein
• Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants

This Recipe Uses:

• Ground lamb
• FBOMB Olive Oil
• Onion
• Full-fat plain Greek yogurt
• Cucumber
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Turmeric
• Cinnamon
• Cumin
• Mint

Health Benefits of These Low-Carb Lamb Kofta Meatballs

1. FBOMB's Olive Oil is heart healthy. Olive oil is packed with monounsaturated fats, which have been proven to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease [*]. There are also powerful antioxidants in olive oil, which have anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties [*]. Regularly consuming olive oil has been shown to reduce your risk of other diseases, too, such as metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes [*].
2. Full-fat Greek yogurt contains probiotics. Your gut is home to millions of tiny bacteria, all of which need to be fed to stay healthy. Greek yogurt contains live cultures that are full of probiotics, which keep these bacteria happy and functioning optimally [*]. Yogurt is also a good source of vitamin B, protein, and magnesium, and other fatty acids [*].
3. Turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon are all anti-inflammatory. Turmeric and ginger both have potent anti-inflammatory effects, which can help reduce joint pain and even promote weight loss [*][*][*]. Cinnamon adds a unique flavor to these low-carb meatballs, and is also loaded with powerful antioxidants that can decrease your risk of cancer [*].

Recipe Information:

• Yield: 4 servings
• Serving size: 2 kofta meatballs and ⅓ cup sauce
• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

Kofta:

• 1 pound ground lamb
• 1 packet (2 tablespoons) FBOMB Olive Oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 small yellow onion, minced
• ¼ cup mint, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ⅛ teaspoon ground allspice
• ½ teaspoon turmeric
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger 

Sauce:

• 2 packets (4 tablespoons) FBOMB Olive Oil
• 1 cup full-fat plain Greek yogurt (we like Fage and Chobani)
• 1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced 
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• 2 tablespoons mint, chopped
• Kosher salt and ground black pepper

Preparation:

1. In a large mixing bowl, mix all of the kofta ingredients with your hands until well incorporated. 
2. Form the mixture into eight 2-inch long oval-shaped meatballs. You can flatten into patties for easier cooking if you prefer. 
3. Heat up some olive oil or coconut oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. 
4. Pan-fry the kofta for 3-4 minutes per side, until cooked through. 
5. For the yogurt sauce, mix all the ingredients and season to taste. 
6. To serve, plate 2 kofta meatballs/patties and ⅓ cup yogurt sauce. 

Nutrition Facts Per Serving:

Calories: 473

• Fat: 37g
• Protein: 29.5g
• Total Carbohydrates: 5.5g
• Fiber: 0.5g
• Sugar Alcohol: 0
• Net Carbs: 5g

Macros:

• Fat: 70%
• Protein: 25%
• Carbohydrates: 5%