If you are on or starting a keto-friendly lifestyle, the same protein day after day can be boring. So why not spice it up (pun intended) with some ground lamb.
Ground lamb is used in Mediterranean and Middle East dishes. It offers a rich flavor that cannot be easily replicated with ground beef or ground turkey. The flavor combinations that we found while researching these recipes were mind-blowing. The recipes that we have tried and loved are listed below.
All recipes are keto-friendly and simple to make. Our criteria were that the recipes had to be delicious, quick, and easy. We loved sampling these recipes and hope you do, too.
Easy Greek Meatballs
Source: https://themovementmenu.com/greek-lamb-meatballs/
These easy greek meatballs are keto-friendly and made with fresh ingredients. The flavor is out of this world. The combination of ground lamb and bacon is an awesome combination of flavor. The lemon zest and fresh lemon juice are a great addition when mixed with the fresh herbs used in the recipe.
How can meatballs be keto? The use of almond flour instead of bread crumbs reduces the carbs in the recipe and you’ll never know that they’re keto-friendly. Make sure to serve the meatballs with tzatziki for an extra punch of flavor.
Prep time is about 10 minutes and the meatballs take less than 20 minutes to cook. That’s less than 30 minutes to enjoy this easy and flavorful dish that is sure to impress.
This recipe makes 24-30 meatballs and if there are leftovers, we suggest reheating on the stove making sure not to overcook and dry out the meatballs.
Speedy Keto Shepherd’s Pie
Source: https://www.brokefoodies.com/speedy-keto-shepherds-pie-very-easy-recipe/
A great comfort dish that always makes a return to the dinner table is shepherd’s pie. A generous scoop of delicious filling topped with mashed potatoes takes me back to my childhood.
But now I’m following a keto diet, so now what? Well, this Speedy Keto Shepherd’s Pie takes me back to my childhood, but with a healthier version.
The spices in this recipe create a grown-up version of the one I remember as a child. Ground lamb is the traditional meat used in shepherd’s pie and it should not be substituted if at all possible. This recipe calls for garam masala. This spice can be found in the spice aisle of your store or you can mix the spices and make your own.
Now, what about the mashed potatoes? This recipe uses mashed cauliflower instead of potatoes. You mix cooked cauliflower with egg yolks, butter, and parmesan cheese to top the ground lamb mixture and then bake until the top is golden brown. The first bite of the flavor combinations will excite even the pickiest eaters.
Low Carb Greek Lamb Burgers (Keto)
Source: https://www.lowcarbmaven.com/lamb-burgers/
The mixture of ground lamb and ground beef come together and create a great texture to the burger that is tender and juicy. The seasonings in this recipe take the greek lamb burger to the next level.
The cucumber and tomato salad have a mix of Mediterranean flavors that must be added to the top of the burger. How do you make a burger that is keto-friendly? You can have a lettuce wrap burger by using iceberg lettuce leaves. You won’t miss the bun.
You can also top a bed of greens with a burger and cucumber and tomato salad for a dish. One burger is only 5 carbs and packs 25 grams of protein. It is sure to leave you full and not craving carbs after.
Easy Lamb Chili
Source: https://www.agirlcalledadri.com/easy-lamb-chili-keto/
Take your chili to another dimension with this easy lamb chili. Lamb is a great alternative to your traditional proteins added to chili. Ground lamb is packed with protein, vitamin B-12, and iron. To give it more of a Mediterranean flair, this recipe combines chopped zucchini, red onion, bell pepper, and mushrooms.
This ground lamb chili packs a punch of spice by using chili, cayenne, and harissa powders. This combination of spices creates a great zip while still keeping with the comfort feel that chili brings us.
We suggest topping the chili with kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, sliced cucumber, and even a scoop of tzatziki. This chili is keto-friendly because it doesn’t have any beans. But don’t fret, you won’t miss the beans that are traditionally in chili.
Low Carb Moussaka
Source: https://stepawayfromthecarbs.com/low-carb-moussaka/
Think of moussaka as a greek eggplant lasagna. Ground lamb in a tomato sauce between layers of potatoes or eggplant with layers of béchamel sauce. Béchamel sauce is made with flour and milk.
These ingredients are not keto-friendly, so this recipe creates a low-carb version that is keto-friendly. So this recipe creates a lower carb version with ricotta and parmesan cheese along with eggs. The ground lamb is browned and then simmered in tomato sauce, wine and spices.
In this recipe, there are no potatoes, just eggplant, so it keeps it keto-friendly. We suggest that you peel the eggplant to remove any bitter taste and allows the eggplant to meld with the sauce and cheese mixture.
This combination of flavors won’t have you missing the traditional béchamel sauce. This will become a regular dish on your keto-friendly menu for sure.
Low Carb Ground Lamb Kebabs
Source: https://www.tastygalaxy.com/cook/ground-lamb-kebabs-recipe/
When you think of kebabs, you might think of skewers on a grill and food slipping off of the skewers. In this simple recipe, the ground lamb kebabs are baked instead of grilled.
This recipe is fast and easy. Minimal ingredients don’t overpower the flavor of the lamb. Combine the ingredients and form into kebabs or squared-off meatballs. Baking the kebabs keeps the meat from drying out. Once the kebabs reach 165 degrees, remove the baking sheet from the oven.
We suggest serving the kebabs with a simple cucumber and tomato salad and tzatziki for dipping. These ground lamb kebabs are keto-friendly and so simple to make.
Easy Keto Greek Salad with Ground Lamb
Source: https://afullliving.com/easy-keto-greek-style-ground-lamb-salad/
This quick and easy salad is one that will be requested frequently. The lemon and herb-seasoned ground lamb bring an amazing flavor to all of the additions in the salad. The tzatziki recipe is delightful and a great extension of flavors.
Mixed greens are topped with tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, crumbled feta cheese, sliced red onion, and kalamata olives. Prior to adding the cooked and browned ground lamb and tzatziki, drizzle some olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice to the salad mix for an incredible mix of flavors.
The salad is keto-friendly and full of protein. It is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. Feel free to add some of your favorite salad ingredients, too. Sliced, toasted almonds would be an amazing addition to crunch and flavor.
Keto Lamb Kofta
Source: https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/keto-lamb-kofta/
What is kofta? Think of meatballs or meatloaf formed into smaller logs. The ground lamb is combined with minimal seasonings to keep the amazing lamb flavor. The kofta can be put on skewers to cook, or left in log form. This recipe uses an air fryer, speeding up the cooking time.
The total time, including preparation and cooking, is less than 30 minutes. Normally kofta is served with pita or rice.
In order to have a keto-friendly meal, we suggest adding the kofta on top of cooked, riced cauliflower and topping with freshly made tzatziki.
This lamb kofta recipe has less than 2 carbs per serving and packs a whopping 37 grams of protein. This easy keto lamb kofta is one you will remake over and over again.
Keto Ground Lamb Casserole
Source: https://inthekitchenwithkath.com/2017/05/22/keto-ground-lamb-casserole/
This quick and simple ground lamb casserole combines incredible flavors and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. This dish is easy to make and has minimal ingredients. The casserole might even be better reheated the next day.
Ground lamb has such a rich flavor and when combined with browned bacon, those flavors explode. This ground lamb casserole is keto-friendly because shredded cabbage is used in place of pasta or rice. The cabbage adds a flavor and texture to this dish that won’t have you missing the carbs.
This recipe contains approximately 13 grams of carbs and 26 grams of protein per serving. This recipe makes 4 servings. We suggest doubling the recipe to make sure you have enough leftovers to enjoy.
Greek Lamb and Cabbage Bowls
Source: https://tasty-yummies.com/greek-lamb-cabbage-bowls/
Ground lamb is combined with amazing spices and cabbage to make these delicious greek lamb cabbage bowls. You might not think of adding cinnamon and nutmeg to ground lamb but this flavor combination creates this spectacular comfort dish.
We started our bowl with a base of cooked riced cauliflower and then topped it with the ground lamb and cabbage mix. Next, we added some crumbled feta, a drizzle of tzatziki, and sliced cucumbers for crunch. The recipe suggests topping the bowl with a fried egg for an incredible keto-friendly dish.
We will definitely be trying this the next time we make these greek lamb and cabbage bowls. If you are not a fan of riced cauliflower, we suggest zucchini noodles.
Prep time is about 5 minutes and cook time is 15 minutes. That’s dinner made in less than 30 minutes. That is a win in our book.
Keto Zucchini Stuffed With Lamb
During the summer, we always have that friend that has a garden and has an overabundance of zucchini. You have zucchini and now what? You must try this recipe.
Halve the zucchini and hollow out the meat inside to make a boat. This is probably the most time-intensive, but trust us, it is worth it.
It is important to roast the zucchini boats prior to filling, so they are nice and tender. The filling contains ground lamb, shallots, tomato paste, and seasonings. This combination is spectacular. Once the ground lamb mix is done, fill the zucchini boats and pop them in the oven for 10 minutes.
When they are done cooking, top with crumbled feta cheese and roasted pine nuts. These zucchini boats are keto-friendly and have around 8 net carbs per serving and have over 42 grams of protein.
Keto Slow Cooker Rosemary Lamb Meatballs
Source: https://ketosummit.com/keto-slow-cooker-rosemary-lamb-meatballs-recipe/
These ground lamb meatballs are super simple to make. Using minimal, flavorful ingredients, these slow cooker lamb meatballs are delicious. There is no need for typical meatball fillers like breadcrumbs.
The meatballs stay moist and tender after simmering with onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, and broth for 3 hours. The fresh rosemary and thyme are used to kick this dish up a notch. We added these meatballs in their sauce on top of mashed cauliflower to keep it keto-friendly.
Riced cauliflower or zucchini noodles would be a great base for these meatballs, too. One serving of meatballs and sauce is just 6 carbs and 24 grams of protein.
Leftovers were outstanding because the meatballs continued to meld with the tomato and mushroom sauce.
Keto Lamb Sliders with Feta Cheese Dressing
Source: https://www.dietdoctor.com/recipes/keto-lamb-sliders-with-feta-cheese-dressing
Sliders are a great appetizer or can easily be made into a meal. We are sure your guests will devour these keto lamb sliders. The sliders are easy to make with minimal, flavorful ingredients.
The sliders cook up fast and easily on the grill or in a frying pan. To keep these sliders keto-friendly, put the sliders on a lettuce leaf, add a little feta cheese dressing and top it all off with sliced onion and tomato.
Let’s talk about the feta cheese dressing for a sec. Oh my goodness is this dressing amazing?
The dryness of the greek yogurt and the tartness of the feta cheese mix so well together and add such a spectacular flavor to the lamb sliders. These are worth doubling the recipe for.
Greek Feta Meatballs with Pistachio Mint Pesto
Source: https://spinachtiger.com/keto-greek-feta-lamb-meatballs-pistachio-mint-pesto/
These greek feta meatballs have ground lamb mixed with ground beef, feta cheese, and lots of spices. The feta cheese gives each bite a spectacular flavor.
The recipe states to not use pre-crumbled feta cheese and instead use a block of sheep’s milk feta and break into crumbles. This makes a difference. There is a difference between pre-crumbled and a block.
The meatballs are keto-friendly because there are no bread crumbs added to the meat mixture. It is important to check the meatballs often to make sure they don’t overcook and dry out.
These meatballs are great by themselves but the pistachio mint pesto linked within the recipe adds an amazing flavor. We are sure that these will be a crowd-pleaser.
Conclusion
A keto lifestyle doesn’t have to be boring. Adding different proteins and spices can make preparing and cooking a meal exciting and enjoyable. We made sure these recipes were quick and easy, too.
The flavor doesn’t mean you have to slave over the stove for hours on end. We had to make room on our menu for some of these outstanding keto-friendly ground lamb recipes.
Challenge yourself to try a new recipe a couple of times a month. See if you like it and if you do, add to your normal cooking rotation.
You’ll soon discover that you have go-to recipes that are easy and delicious.
Have fun and savor the flavor!
