Delicious Turkish Lamb & Apricot Meatballs Recipe

Authentic Turkish Lamb recipe — Lamb & apricot meatballs. Imported from TheMealDB.

Medium
Updated March 14, 2026
2 views

4

servings

Medium

Difficulty

Delicious Turkish Lamb & Apricot Meatballs Recipe

Ingredients

Servings:
4
  • 1 lb ground lamb
  • 1 cup dried apricots, chopped
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (for frying)
  • 1 cup tomato sauce (for serving)

Instructions

5 steps

  1. Prepare the Mixture

    In a large bowl, combine ground lamb, chopped apricots, onion, garlic, beaten egg, parsley, cinnamon, cumin, salt, and pepper.

    Mix until well combined but do not overwork the meat.
  2. Form the Meatballs

    Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.

    Wet your hands to prevent sticking while forming the meatballs.
  3. Heat the Oil

    In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.

    Make sure the oil is hot enough before adding meatballs to get a nice sear.
  4. Cook the Meatballs

    Add the meatballs to the skillet and cook for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally until browned and cooked through.

    Use a meat thermometer to check if the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
  5. Serve

    Serve the meatballs with tomato sauce over rice or couscous.

    Garnish with additional parsley for presentation.

💡 Tips & Tricks

Use fresh herbs for better flavor. Let the meatballs rest for a few minutes after cooking. Experiment with different dried fruits for a unique taste.

Storage & Reheating

❄️

Refrigerator

Up to 3 days in an airtight container

🧊

Freezer

Up to 2 months — thaw overnight in fridge

🔥

Reheat in a skillet or microwave until heated through.

What to Serve With

Complete your turkish meal with these perfect pairings:

🍽️Pita bread
🍽️Fresh salad with sumac
🍽️Cacık (yogurt dip)

About This Dish

Delicious Turkish Lamb & Apricot Meatballs Recipe is a beloved dish from Turkish cuisine.

Turkish cuisine is a fascinating blend of Central Asian, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Balkan influences. It's considered one of the three great cuisines in the world alongside French and Chinese.

This recipe is rated medium difficulty and uses 12 ingredients. Intermediate cooks will enjoy the balanced challenge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can use ground beef or turkey as alternatives.

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Nutrition Facts

4 serving(s) per recipe

Serving size1 serving
Calories350kcal
Total Fat15gg
Sodium400mgmg
Total Carbohydrates30gg
Dietary Fiber2gg
Total Sugars8gg
Protein25gg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are approximate and may vary based on ingredients used.

Recipe Details

CuisineTurkish
CategoryDinner