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BBQ Lamb and Tzatziki Pitta Recipe

Published on August 28, 2020 • Last updated April 7, 2024 by Elizabeth
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For this easy BBQ recipe, locally reared lamb shoulder is marinated in warming spices before being grilled on skewers on the BBQ. Serve with a cooling tzatziki, salad and pitta bread.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

photograph of bbq lamb shoulder and tzatziki pittas on an enamel tray on a rocky beach in Shetland
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • A pandemic bbq lamb recipe
  • Why use lamb shoulder for BBQ skewers
  • Ingredients you’ll need…
  • Equipment you’ll need…
  • How to make it…
  • BBQ Scotch Lamb & Tzatziki Pitta
  • Pin this recipe for later
  • Other BBQ lamb recipes you might like

A pandemic bbq lamb recipe

We live in strange times, mid-pandemic. The routines of daily life, as we knew them, no longer exist. This is not entirely a bad thing, I don’t think. The events over the last few months have caused many of us to rethink our priorities in life; to look at what really matters.

As a result, there appears to be a discernable shift in our consumer habits. We’re shopping more often in our local independent shops. We’re rediscovering that amazing adventures can be had close to home instead of jetting off on foreign holidays.

I believe that it’s important as we’re coming out of the recent chaos to support small, local businesses as much as we can. Shop local. Holiday local. Let’s support each other as the economy (and us, as a whole) recovers. 

BBQ lamb shoulder on skewers image

So, with what’s left of the rest of this summer why not grab a friend, load up a van and head to the coast for some outdoor cooking?

For this pandemic recipe post I’ve served up a lamb and tzatziki pitta recipe.

This is a super easy recipe that requires very little prep. The most time-consuming part, which I did at home before I left the house, was cutting a locally reared lamb shoulder into BBQ skewer-sized pieces. 

image of Cutting lamb shoulder into cubes for kebab skewers

Why use lamb shoulder for BBQ skewers

With a whole lamb shoulder, you can cut the meat to your desired size and fattiness. Lamb shoulder also has more flavour than other cuts of lamb, and it marinades well, pairing well with a wide variety of spices and flavours.

Don’t throw those extra scraps away either – I’ve put mine in the freezer to roast alongside the bones from my next roast lamb dinner to make some homemade lamb gravy.

picture of the ingredients needed for this barbecue lamb recipe

Ingredients you’ll need…

  • 600 grams of lamb shoulder, cubed
  • 1 orange, juice only
  • 1 lime, juice only
  • 30 ml dark soy sauce
  • 1 dried red chilli, crumbled
  • 2 tsp cumin seeds, toasted and ground (see notes)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/3 cucumber, peeled, deseeded and diced
  • a handful of fresh mint, finely chopped
  • 120 grams of plain natural yoghurt
  • salad leaves, to serve
  • thinly sliced red onion, to serve
  • 1 lemon, to serve
  • 4 x pitta bread

Equipment you’ll need…

  • 1 x small portable, reusable BBQ 
  • 1 x instant light charcoal bag (because it makes bbq’ing so much easier!)
  • 4 x bamboo or metal skewers 
  • chopping board
  • sharp knife
  • spoon
  • bowl
  • plates or enamel trays to serve
photographic collage of how to make BBQ lamb shoulder skewers

How to make it…

  1. Squeeze the juice of one orange and one lime juice your cubed PGI Scotch lamb shoulder.
  2. Add the dark soy sauce.
  3. Sprinkle over the spices and stir to combine.
  4. Leave to marinate for at least 10 minutes (longer if you have time). Get your BBQ lit while you wait (or do steps 1-3 before you leave the house, if you have time – we didn’t as we were chasing the sun.)
  5. Thread the marinated lamb onto your skewers.
  6. BBQ for 15 minutes, turning occasionally.
BBQ lamb skewers photograph

This recipe is an absolute pleasure to prep and cook at the beach. Ok, truth be told I just took the pictures, but still. If you’re looking for effortless spur-of-the-moment beach BBQ food, this recipe should be on your radar. 

BBQ scotch lamb pitta image

Recipe Difficulty Levels

Easy

Requires basic cooking skills and ingredients you most likely already have in your kitchen.

Moderate

Requires more experience, preparation and/or cooking time. You may have to source special ingredients.

Challenging

Recipes requiring more advanced skills and experience and maybe some special equipment.

BBQ scotch lamb pitta image

BBQ Scotch Lamb & Tzatziki Pitta

For this easy BBQ recipe, locally reared Scotch lamb shoulder is marinated in warming spices before being grilled on skewers on the BBQ. Serve with a cooling tzatziki, salad and pitta bread.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 343kcal
Author: Elizabeth

Ingredients

for the lamb & marinade

  • 600 grams lamb shoulder shoulder, cubed
  • 1 orange juice only
  • 1 lime juice only
  • 30 ml dark soy sauce
  • 1 dried red chillies crumbled
  • 2 tsp whole cumin seeds toasted and ground
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

for the tzatziki

  • 1/3 cucumber peeled & deseeded
  • 1 handful fresh mint leaves finely chopped
  • 120 grams plain natural yoghurt

to serve

  • 4 pitta bread
  • green salad leaves
  • red onion thinly sliced
  • 1 lemon cut into wedges

Affiliate Links

This recipe card may contain affiliate ingredient and equipment links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment

portable BBQ
charcoal bag
bamboo skewers
camping plates/bowls
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions 

for the marinated lamb skewers

  • Squeeze the juice from 1 orange and 1 lime onto 600 grams lamb shoulder, cubed.
    Photograph of man's hands squeezing orange juice over lamb to marinade it.
  • Add 30 ml dark soy sauce.
    Image of man pouring soy sauce over lamb to marinade.
  • Sprinkle over 1 dried red chillies, 2 tsp whole cumin seeds, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp ground ginger1 tsp freshly ground black pepper and stir to combine.
    Image of man sprinkling spices over lamb.
  • Leave to marinate for at least 10 minutes.
    Image of lamb marinading in plastic container on the beach.
  • Thread the marinaded lamb onto your BBQ skewers.
    Image of man threading marinaded lamb onto bamboo skewers for the barbecue.
  • Barbecue for 15 minutes, turning occasionally.
    Photo of marinated lamb skewers on the barbecue.

for the tzatziki

  • Peel 1/3 cucumber, remove the seeds and finely dice the flesh.
    Photo of man chopping cucumber for tzatziki.
  • Finely chop 1 handful fresh mint leaves and add to a serving bowl along with the cucumber.
    Image of man chopping mint for tzatziki.
  • Spoon in 120 grams plain natural yoghurt and stir to combine.
    Image of man spooning yogurt into bowl of cucumber and mint to make tzatziki.

to serve

  • Lightly grill 4 pitta bread, if desired, and serve the lamb with sliced red onion, green salad leaves and the tzatziki and wedges of 1 lemon.
    Image of pitta bread grilling on the barbecue.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 343kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 803mg | Potassium: 590mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 177IU | Vitamin C: 38mg | Calcium: 139mg | Iron: 4mg

Pin this recipe for later

BBQ Lamb pitta recipe pin image
BBQ Lamb Pitta recipe pinterest pin image

Other BBQ lamb recipes you might like

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BBQ Lamb Burgers Recipe with Fiery Chilli Halloumi

BBQ Lamb Leg Steak with Harissa and Mint

BBQ Lamb Leg Steaks with Harissa and Mint

Image of a recipe for lamb skewers cooking on a barbecue.

Easy Recipe for Lamb Skewers

Category: 30 Minute Meals, Hoof & Feather, Recipe, Sponsored Post

About Elizabeth

Solivagant. Foodie. Calls Shetland home.

Previous Post:5 Tips for an Easy Beach BBQ
Next Post:Spiced Courgette Cupcakes with Cream Cheese FrostingPhoto of spiced zucchini cupcake with cream cheese frosting on a wooden serving board surrounded in chopped nuts.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes

    September 1, 2020 at 4:11 pm

    5 stars
    Thanks for sharing, this looks amazing and perfect for a BBQ 🙂

    Reply
5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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