The Best Grilled Cumin Lamb Skewers (A Flavor Explosion!)

Hello, my friends, and get ready for a recipe that will transport your taste buds to the vibrant street food stalls of Asia. If you are a fan of bold, aromatic, and spicy flavors, you are going to be absolutely obsessed with these incredible Grilled Cumin Lamb Skewers. This is a truly spectacular dish that is perfect for a summer barbecue or any time you want to grill something extraordinary.

This isn’t just a simple grilled lamb recipe. We take tender cubes of leg of lamb and marinate them in a powerful blend of freshly toasted and ground cumin, soy sauce, and aromatics. They’re then skewered with sweet onions and peppers and grilled to charred, juicy perfection. But the final, magical touch is a dusting of a second, even more complex chili-cumin spice mix that gets toasted on the hot grill right at the end. Every single bite is a perfect harmony of smoky, spicy, and deeply savory flavors.

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Why You’ll Be Absolutely Obsessed With This Recipe

This is more than just a recipe; it’s a flavor adventure on a stick.

• Incredibly Aromatic & Flavorful: Toasting and grinding your own whole spices is the secret weapon! It unlocks an incredible depth of fragrant, smoky, and complex flavor that pre-ground spices simply can’t match.
• Unbelievably Tender & Juicy Lamb: The long marination time with soy sauce and cornstarch not only infuses the lamb with flavor but also tenderizes it, ensuring it stays perfectly juicy on the grill.
• A True Grilling Showstopper: A platter of these beautifully charred, vibrant red skewers is a guaranteed centerpiece that looks and smells absolutely incredible.
• The Final Spice Dusting is Magic: The final step of sprinkling the skewers with the chili-cumin spice mix and returning them to the grill for a final toast is what makes this recipe truly authentic and unforgettable.

Gather Your Aromatic Ingredients: What You’ll Need

This impressive dish comes together with a handful of powerful spices and fresh ingredients.

• 4 tablespoons whole cumin seeds, divided
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sesame seeds, toasted
• 2 teaspoons fine gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
• Kosher salt
• One 3 1/2-pound boneless leg of lamb, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 1/2 yellow onion, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 3 tablespoons neutral oil (like canola or vegetable)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 4 teaspoons cornstarch
• 2 cubanelle peppers, seeded and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
• 12 metal or bamboo skewers

Crafting Your Cumin Lamb Skewers: Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s build these layers of incredible flavor. The long marination is key!

1. Toast and Grind Your Spices: First, toast 3 tablespoons of the cumin seeds in a small, dry skillet over medium-low heat for about 3 minutes, until they are fragrant. Transfer them to a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle and coarsely grind them. Set these aside for the marinade. In the same hot skillet, toast the remaining 1 tablespoon of cumin seeds, the fennel seeds, and the sesame seeds for 4-5 minutes until fragrant. Transfer this mix to the spice grinder and coarsely grind. In a separate small bowl, combine this second spice mix with the gochugaru and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. This will be your finishing spice.
2. Marinate the Lamb (The Longer, The Better!): In a large bowl, combine the cubed lamb and the onion pieces. Add the first bowl of ground cumin, the neutral oil, soy sauce, cornstarch, and another 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Use your hands to really massage the marinade into the lamb and onion. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or preferably overnight.

1. Skewer the Lamb and Veggies: When you’re ready to cook, preheat your grill to medium-high. If you’re using bamboo skewers, make sure they have been soaked in cold water for at least 30 minutes. Thread the marinated lamb cubes onto your skewers, alternating with pieces of the marinated onion and the fresh cubanelle pepper.
2. Grill to Perfection: Use tongs to wipe the hot grill grates with an oil-soaked paper towel. Place the lamb skewers on the grill. Cook, turning them occasionally, for 7 to 9 minutes, until the lamb is cooked through, tender, and has beautiful char marks.

1. The Final, Flavorful Toast: This is the magic step! Carefully pick up each hot skewer and hold it over your bowl of the chili-cumin finishing spice. Lightly sprinkle the spice mix all over the skewer to coat. Place the seasoned skewers back onto the hot grill and cook, turning them every few seconds, for just one more minute. This quick final toast makes the spices incredibly fragrant.
2. Rest and Serve: Transfer the finished skewers to a serving platter and let them rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Wise Tips for the Best Cumin Lamb

• Toast Your Spices! This is a non-negotiable step. Toasting whole spices in a dry pan before grinding them awakens their essential oils and creates a much deeper, more complex, and aromatic flavor than using pre-ground spices.
• The Long Marinade is Key: The 8-hour or overnight marinade is crucial. It not only infuses the lamb with incredible flavor but the cornstarch and soy sauce also work to tenderize the meat, resulting in a super juicy final product.
• Don’t Skip the Final Spice Dust: That final hit of the freshly toasted chili-cumin mix is what gives these skewers their signature, authentic street-food flavor.
• High Heat for a Good Char: A properly preheated, medium-high grill is essential for getting that beautiful char on the outside of the lamb and vegetables while keeping the inside tender and juicy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Grilled Cumin Lamb

What is gochugaru? Can I substitute it?
Gochugaru is a Korean chili flake that has a vibrant red color and a fruity, smoky, medium heat. You can find it in most Asian markets or online. If you can’t find it, you can substitute with a mix of sweet paprika and a pinch of cayenne pepper.

What cut of lamb is best?
Boneless leg of lamb is perfect for cubing and grilling. Lamb shoulder would also be a great, flavorful choice.

What should I serve with these skewers?
They are fantastic served with a side of fluffy white rice, a simple cucumber salad, or wrapped in warm flatbreads with a dollop of yogurt.

Conclusion

These Grilled Cumin Lamb Skewers are a true flavor adventure. It’s a wonderfully rewarding dish that proves a little bit of prep and some good quality spices can transform a simple grilled meal into something truly extraordinary. I hope you love every single, spicy, and savory bite!