Best Easy Northern Chinese Lamb Skewers Recipe

Smoky Northern Chinese lamb skewers seasoned with cumin and chili are a beloved street food. A high protein, carnivore-friendly dish perfect for family barbecues.

Cook 42 min Difficulty NORMAL 320 kcal
#high protein #keto #carnivore friendly
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • Lamb shoulder (cut into 1-inch cubes) 1.5 lbs
  • Red onion (cut into 1-inch pieces) 1 pieces
  • Wooden skewers (soaked in water) 12 pieces
Seasonings/Sauce
  • Ground cumin 2 tbsp
  • Chili flakes 1 tbsp
  • Kosher salt 1.25 tsp
  • Ground black pepper 0.5 tsp
  • Vegetable oil 2 tbsp
  • Garlic powder 1 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 3 g 4%
Protein 29 g 36%
Fat 21 g 60%
Serving size 160g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    In a large bowl, combine the lamb cubes and red onion. Drizzle with vegetable oil and toss until the pieces are evenly coated.

  2. 2

    Sprinkle ground cumin, chili flakes, kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder over the lamb. Massage the seasonings into the meat thoroughly for even coverage.

  3. 3

    Thread marinated lamb and red onion pieces alternately onto the soaked wooden skewers, packing them fairly tightly to prevent quick drying over heat.

  4. 4

    Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Arrange skewers over direct heat and grill for 2 minutes without moving to achieve a strong sear.

  5. 5

    Rotate skewers every 1–2 minutes, grilling for a total of 8–10 minutes, basting with any leftover marinade and watching closely to avoid burning the spices.

  6. 6

    Rest skewers for 3 minutes after removing from heat to let juices redistribute evenly before serving.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What’s the key ingredient in this recipe?
The star ingredient is lamb shoulder, which lends these skewers their juicy texture and classic meaty flavor. The rich, tender lamb combined with cumin and chili defines the authentic taste of Northern Chinese lamb skewers.
Q. How should I control heat when grilling these lamb skewers?
Preheat your grill to medium-high for a strong initial sear. Grill the skewers directly over the heat, turning every 1–2 minutes for even cooking, and avoid burning the spices by monitoring carefully. This ensures flavorful browning while keeping the lamb tender.
Q. How do I keep the skewers from drying out?
Thread the lamb chunks tightly on the skewers and baste occasionally with leftover marinade during grilling. Letting the skewers rest briefly after cooking also helps retain juiciness and prevents the lamb from drying out.
Q. How many calories and how much protein per serving?
Each serving is about 160g, providing 320 kcal and 29g protein. This makes the dish high in protein (36% of caloric value), while being low in carbohydrates.
Q. Which seasoning gives these skewers their distinctive flavor?
Ground cumin is the essential seasoning, imparting warm, earthy notes characteristic of classic Northern Chinese lamb skewers. The chili flakes add heat and depth, rounding out the street food flavor profile.
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