What To Serve With Lamb Koftas (18 Best Side Dishes)

Lamb koftas are a delicious and flavorful dish that will take your taste buds on a journey to the Middle East. Succulent kofta kebabs, made with ground lamb and fresh herbs and spices, are a crowd-pleaser. The minced meat mixture is pressed into a sausage shape around wooden skewers and grilled to perfection.

But what makes a good lamb kofta meal even better? The perfect side dishes to complement it.

From refreshing salads to flavorful dips and spreads, I’ve got you covered with this list of the best side dishes to serve with lamb koftas. From Greek salad and tabbouleh to hummus and tzatziki, you’re sure to find a new favorite!

Let’s dive in and explore the best sides to serve with your next lamb kofta meal.

1. Greek salad

A perfect side dish for lamb kofta kebabs is a classic Greek salad. This fresh salad balances out the rich and spicy flavors of the Middle Eastern dish.

The crispness of the vegetables and the tanginess of the feta cheese provide a refreshing contrast to the juicy and flavorful lamb koftas.

For those who prefer a heartier meal, add some pita bread, roasted potatoes, or basmati rice to complete the meal.

We love: Best Greek Salad (by Downshiftology)

2. Tzatziki sauce

Tzatziki sauce is a delicious and refreshing sauce to serve with lamb koftas.

A tangy and creamy yogurt sauce, tzatziki pairs well with the warming spices, like ground cumin and ground cinnamon, used in the lamb kofta recipe.

For a complete meal, serve the lamb koftas alongside tzatziki, pita bread, and a simple salad.

We love: Authentic Tzatziki (Greek Cucumber Yogurt Sauce) (by Key To My Lime)

3. Hummus

Lamb koftas, with their flavorful spices and juicy texture, are a popular Middle Eastern dish. And, nothing elevates a Middle Eastern meal better than a side of creamy hummus.

Made with chickpeas, tahini, and lemon juice, hummus adds a rich and tangy element to the meal. Its smooth and creamy texture is the perfect accompaniment to the grilled lamb koftas.

For a complete and satisfying meal, serve hummus with some warm flatbread, and a fresh mint salad. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you!

We love: Roasted Garlic Hummus (by Cooking Classy)

4. Baba ghanoush

Baba ghanoush is yet another delicious Middle Eastern dip that goes well with lamb koftas. This dish made from roasted eggplant, fragrant spices, and creamy Greek yogurt is the perfect complement to the flavorful and aromatic lamb koftas.

The creamy eggplant dip balances out the heat from the eastern spices in the koftas and complements the lamb with its smoky flavor.

Serve it alongside some grilled flatbread or potato wedges, and a simple salad of cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, and red onion for a well-rounded and satisfying dining experience.

We love: The Best Baba Ganoush (by Feasting At Home)

5. Fattoush salad

Fattoush salad is a fresh and flavorful side dish that pairs perfectly with lamb koftas.

To make the fattoush salad, start by toasting leftover pita bread in a grill pan or oven. Then, mix together chopped vegetables, such as cucumbers and tomatoes, with herbs like parsley and mint in a large bowl. Add a dressing of extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and Middle Eastern spices like ground coriander and smoked paprika. Mix well, then top with toasted pine nuts for an extra crunch.

This salad not only adds a refreshing element to the meal but also complements the Middle Eastern flavors of the lamb koftas.

We love: Simple Fattoush Salad Recipe (Lebanese Vegetable Pita Salad) (by Zestful Kitchen)

6. Couscous salad

Couscous salad is the perfect side dish to serve with a spiced lamb kofta main course.

This super easy and flavorful salad is made with a mix of couscous, chickpeas, chopped fresh herbs, and a tangy dressing of lime juice and extra virgin olive oil. It’s a great way to add some freshness and crunch to your meal.

You can use standard, wholewheat, or pearl couscous. Add some fresh cracked black pepper or red chili if you want to spice things up.

We love: Israeli Couscous Salad Recipe (by Momsdish)

7. Tabbouleh salad

Tabbouleh salad is yet another refreshing salad that goes really well with lamb koftas. It is a traditional Middle Eastern dish made with bulgur wheat, fresh herbs, and chopped vegetables, making it a wholesome addition to any meal.

The freshness of the tabbouleh salad helps to cut through the richness of the lamb koftas. Plus, the vibrant colors and textures of the salad make it a visually appealing addition to your meal.

We love: Best Tabbouleh (by Cookie and Kate)

8. Roasted eggplant

Roasted eggplant is the perfect side dish to serve with lamb koftas. Its tender texture and smoky flavor complement the spiced lamb mixture in the koftas.

As the koftas cook, you can prepare the roasted eggplant by slicing it and placing it in a preheated oven until tender. Serve alongside the koftas with some crumbled feta, Lebanese bread, and a refreshing side like red cabbage slaw.

We love: Garlic & Herb Grilled Eggplant (by Every Last Bite)

9. Grilled vegetables

Grilled vegetables are another great veggie side to serve with lamb koftas. Not only does it add a pop of color to the meal, but it also provides a healthy and flavorful option to balance out the rich and spicy lamb dish.

Using a variety of vegetables such as red pepper, zucchini, red onions, and mushrooms adds variety to your meal without any effort.

We love: Grilled Vegetables (with Best Marinade) (by Valentina’s Corner)

10. Spicy Middle Eastern potatoes

Looking for a flavorful side dish to accompany your spiced lamb koftas? Look no further than spicy Middle Eastern potatoes.

Made with a mix of Middle Eastern spices and cooked in a large frying pan, batata harra is the perfect side dish to put together while the lamb koftas are grilling.

We love: Batata Harra (Spicy Potatoes) (by The Mediterranean Dish)

11. Cherry tomato salad

If you don’t have the ingredients for fattoush salad or tabbouleh, a simple cherry tomato salad is your best bet!

This salad is easy to make and requires minimal ingredients. Simply grab a mixing bowl and add cherry tomatoes, finely sliced red onion, and (optionally) diced bell peppers in a large bowl. Then, add a dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, and a touch of red chili or fresh cracked black pepper for some heat. For extra Middle Eastern flair, add a generous sprinkling of pomegranate seeds.

The spiced lamb koftas pair perfectly with the fresh and tangy flavors of the cherry tomato salad. To complete your meal, serve the lamb koftas and cherry tomato salad with some Lebanese bread and a creamy yogurt dip.

We love: Best Summer Cherry Tomato Salad Recipe (by Curry Trail)

12. Falafel

Falafel is a delicious and flavorful Middle Eastern dish that pairs perfectly with spiced lamb koftas. They’re made from a mixture of ground chickpeas, herbs, and spices and are then formed into small balls or patties and fried.

Freshly fried, homemade falafel always trumps store-bought ones!

The crispy and savory falafel is a great contrast to the juicy and flavorful lamb koftas. Together, they make a well-balanced and satisfying meal.

For an added touch, serve the koftas and falafel with a chopped salad, such as fattoush salad, and a creamy yogurt dip.

We love: Homemade Falafel (by Cooking With Ayeh)

13. Pita bread

Pita bread is the perfect side dish to serve with lamb koftas. Not only does it go well with the bold flavors of the kofta, but it also serves as a convenient vessel for scooping up the meat and accompanying dips.

Serve with a simple salad, such as fattoush or chopped fresh vegetables, and a creamy yogurt dip for a complete and satisfying meal.

We love: Pita Bread Recipe (Oven or Stovetop) (by NatashasKitchen.com)

14. Cucumber salad

Cucumber salad is the perfect five-minute side dish to serve with lamb koftas. This light and refreshing salad pairs perfectly with the rich and savory flavors of the lamb koftas.

Made with ingredients like crisp cucumbers, tangy lemon zest, and crumbled feta cheese, this salad adds a burst of freshness to the meal. It’s also a great way to balance out the richness of the lamb koftas.

We love: Creamy Cucumber Salad (by Budget Bytes)

15. Rice pilaf

Rice pilaf is a great side dish to serve with lamb koftas. This Middle Eastern dish, made with fragrant spices, is the perfect accompaniment to the flavorful kofta kebabs.

It’s a great gluten-free alternative to pita bread.

We love: Herbed Rice Pilaf (by Easy Peasy Meals)

16. Lemon garlic roasted potatoes

To complete the lamb kofta meal, serve it with a side of lemon garlic roasted potatoes.

The tangy lemon and robust garlic flavors of the potatoes pair perfectly with the spiced lamb koftas. And the crispy exterior and tender interior of the potatoes make it a much better option than plain French fries.

You can also whip out the air fryer for quick roasted potatoes and simply drizzle with lemon garlic sauce.

We love: Slow Roasted Greek Lemon Potatoes (by Sprinkles and Sprouts)

17. Arabic chopped salad

An Arabic chopped salad is the perfect side dish to serve with lamb koftas.

This Middle Eastern salad is made with finely chopped vegetables, including cucumber, tomato, red bell pepper, and onion, finely chopped herbs like parsley and fresh mint leaves, and dressed with a zesty lime juice dressing. Its refreshing and light flavors complement the spiced lamb kofta kebabs perfectly.

Plus, this salad is incredibly versatile and can be served in different ways. You can either mix it with chickpeas to make a hearty chickpea salad or sprinkle it with pine nuts and red chili for an extra crunch and kick.

We love: Arabic Chopped Salad (by Non-Guilty Pleasures)

18. Feta dip

Not in the mood for tzatziki? Look no further than this tangy and flavorful whipped feta dip. Made with lemon, cream cheese, and fresh garlic cloves, this tangy, creamy, cheesy dip is the perfect accompaniment to the spiced lamb.

Add more side dishes like grilled vegetables, fattoush salad, or a zesty Middle Eastern chickpea salad to round out your meal.

We love: Whipped Feta Dip (by The Recipe Critic)

These flavorful side dishes are perfect for pairing with lamb koftas. Experiment with different ways to serve them and find your personal favorite recipes to create the ultimate lamb kofta feast.

Whether you go for the traditional Middle Eastern chickpea salad or take a more adventurous route with roasted eggplant and whipped feta, you won’t go wrong with any of these dishes.

Let me know how you serve your lamb koftas in the comments below!