Description
These Juicy Lamb Meatballs with Caramelized Onions are a flavorful Middle Eastern-inspired dish featuring tender lamb meatballs seasoned with fragrant spices and nestled in a rich onion sauce. Perfectly baked to juicy perfection, they make a delicious meal served over Basmati rice or rice with vermicelli.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 medium yellow onions, sliced into 1/4-inch rings
- 1 small yellow onion, grated
- Kosher salt, to taste
- 1 1/2 pounds ground lamb
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 bunch fresh parsley, leaves chopped
- 1 egg
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Baharat spice blend
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Heat your oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to prepare for baking the meatballs later.
- Caramelize the sliced onions: In a large oven-safe pan over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Once the oil shimmers, add the sliced onion rings and season with a generous pinch of kosher salt. Cook the onions, stirring occasionally, until they have softened completely and turned a deep golden brown, about 20 to 30 minutes.
- Make the meatballs: While the onions are caramelizing, mix together the grated onion, ground lamb, breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, egg, minced garlic, Baharat, ground cardamom, kosher salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Combine the mixture thoroughly. Form the mixture into meatballs roughly 2 tablespoons each, yielding about 18 to 20 meatballs.
- Make the onion sauce: When the onions in the pan are ready, turn off the heat and carefully stir in 1 cup of water. The water will immediately become brown from the caramelized onions. Gently nestle the prepared lamb meatballs into the onion sauce, scooping some onions over the top with a spoon.
- Bake the meatballs: Place the oven-safe pan on the center rack of the preheated oven. Bake the meatballs for 25 to 30 minutes or until they are fully cooked and no longer pink inside. Occasionally baste the meatballs with the onion sauce during baking to keep them juicy and flavorful.
- Serve: Serve the baked lamb meatballs, caramelized onions, and sauce over Basmati rice or rice with vermicelli. Enjoy this hearty, aromatic meal warm.
Notes
- For best results, use an oven-safe skillet or pan to caramelize onions and bake meatballs.
- Baharat is a Middle Eastern spice blend that can vary, typically including cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, and cloves; adjust to taste or substitute with a similar warm spice blend.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the pan while baking to ensure even cooking.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can reduce the onion water mixture on the stove before adding the meatballs.
- These meatballs can be reheated gently in the oven or on the stovetop with a little extra water or broth.
