Sharing a summer mezze platter with yogurt marinated American lamb skewers today! This is the ultimate outdoor feast, with lots of flavorful recipes and ingredients making up this festive spread. And of course, the star of the show is the grilled lamb. It’s marinated in a turmeric spiced yogurt mixture and grilled over hot flames until juicy & tender.
This post is sponsored by the American Lamb Board.
To start, you’ll want to pick up some American boneless leg of lamb for this summer mezze platter. I love supporting my local butcher (ask them to cube the meat for you) and am always so happy with the quality of their lamb. It’s fresh, cooks up beautifully, and has a mild flavor that isn’t overpowering.
In order to make the lamb extra tender, you’ll marinate it in a bold mixture of yogurt, vibrant spices, garlic, lemon, and olive oil. The yogurt helps tenderize the meat, while the other ingredients add SO much flavor to the finish product. All that’s left to do is skewer the lamb up and get it onto the grill!
The slightly charred exterior and smoky flavor from grilling cannot be beat.
The rest of the summer mezze platter is super fun and versatile! I’ve included a few quick recipes and other ideas for what to add to your spread, but you can pick and choose whatever you’d like from the list.
summer mezze platter – additional components
- marinated artichokes & feta
- creamy cucumbers
- herby pearl couscous
- the most delicious charred eggplant dip
- olives + pickled onions + other seasonal ingredients (cherries, tomatoes, etc.)
- and of course, lots of warm pita bread
And if you’re looking for more lamb recipes, here are a few favorites:
Spiced Rack of Lamb with Citrus Salad
Grilled Lamb Chops with Mint Chimichurri
Lamb Burgers with Pickled Shallots & Herb Sauce
Summer Mezze Platter with Yogurt Marinated Lamb Skewers
a summer mezze platter with yogurt marinated lamb skewers, marinated artichokes & feta, creamy cucumbers, pearl couscous, warm pita bread, and other seasonal ingredients
servings: 6
Ingredients
Yogurt Marinated Lamb Skewers
- ½ lb greek yogurt
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ cup olive oil, plus more as needed
- 2 lbs boneless American leg of lamb, cubed 1 ½”
Marinated Artichokes & Feta
- ½ lb drained quartered artichokes
- ½ lb feta cheese, cubed ½”
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
- 2 tbsp minced chives
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ cup olive oil
Creamy Cucumbers
- 1 lb cucumbers, diced
- ¼ lb Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp chopped dill
- kosher salt & black pepper
Couscous
- 1 cup pearl couscous
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
- 1 tbsp chopped dill
Remaining Mezze Ingredients
- 1 batch charred eggplant dip
- 1 (5 oz) jar olives, drained
- warm pita bread
- pickled red onions
- seasonal ingredients: cherries, tomatoes, etc.
Instructions
Yogurt Marinated Lamb Skewers
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water.
- Add the yogurt, salt, turmeric, cumin, red pepper flakes, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, and olive oil to a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Add the cubed lamb and toss to coat. Marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours. Let sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes before grilling.
- Heat your grill over medium-high heat. Skewer 5-6 pieces of lamb onto each skewer. Drizzle with olive oil.
- Place onto the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes. Flip the skewers and continue cooking to your desired doneness (the USDA recommends an internal temperature of 145°F, followed by a 3-minute rest).
Marinated Artichokes & Feta
- Add the artichokes, feta, garlic, parsley, chives, red pepper flakes, and olive oil to a mixing bowl. Toss to combine.
- Let marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Creamy Cucumbers
- Add the cucumbers, yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, and dill to a mixing bowl. Toss to combine.
- Season with salt & black pepper to taste.
- Let marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Couscous
- Cook the pearl couscous according to the package’s instructions.
- Stir in the olive oil, parsley, and dill.
Mezze Platter
- Arrange all of the different components – lamb skewers, marinated artichokes & feta, creamy cucumbers, couscous, charred eggplant dip, olives, pita bread, pickled red onions, and other seasonal ingredients – onto a large platter.
- Dig in!
shop the dish: summer mezze platter
