Welcome to The Storied Recipe Podcast, a podcast about food, culture, and love.
As you plan a menu around Lamb Kofta, I invite you to listen to my podcast guest, Nazli Bashi on her episode A Primer in Persian Culture, where she explains the significance of Kofta feasts in Iranian culture.
Nazli was born in Iran where making Lamb Kofta is a tradition, an art, and a competition!
However, Nazli taught me Kofta is really just the beginning of this Persian feast: Here are the 47 best side dishes to accompany your Lamb Kofta feast.
How to Use this List
- The list is organized by Salads, Vegetables, Potatoes, Rices, Sauces, and Desserts.
- Use the Table of Contents below to jump to the category you’d like.
- I tried to choose side dishes from all the cuisines that celebrate Lamb Kofta, from Greek, Moroccan, Lebanese, Afghan, to Indian – and more.
- Feel free to be creative! Consider serving side dishes that YOU would love the most. Just use these recipes as inspiration.
- Each recipe is formatted as the title of the recipe, followed by a "|" symbol and then the blog or person who it is from.
Before we get to the sides – have you found your perfect Lamb Kofta recipe?
From small to large meatballs to skinny kebabs on wooden skewers, from a large frying pan to hot coals in a charcoal grill, there are so many different ways to form and cook Koftas - and limitless spices and herbs to add to the ground lamb mixture. Here are the 13 most popular Lamb Kofta recipes from around the world.
Potato Sides
Lamb Kofta and potatoes are a match made in heaven.
Batata Harra (Spicy Potatoes) | Bites of Beri
Batata Harra is a classic Lebanese side dish that transforms regular roasted potatoes into a flavorful and delicious side dish.
Moroccan Roasted Potatoes | Let’s Dish
Potatoes are tossed with olive oil, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, paprika and other seasonings in this uniquely spiced side dish the whole family will love.
Lebanese Street Fries | Cosette’s Kitchen
What's better than french fries? Definitely Lebanese Street Fries! Lining the streets of Beirut, you'll find shop after shop selling street food. Mostly anything and everything that is doughy or pita bread filled with delicious sweet and savory foods.
Homemade Fries | Well Plated
How to make the best crispy Homemade French Fries in the oven! The secrets to perfect baked fries, plus how to make French fries crispy again.
Sanyet El Batates (Egyptian Baked Potatoes) | Food Dolls
Prepare this lightened-up sanyet el batates recipe (Egyptian baked potatoes) for a healthy comfort food that’s ready in about an hour!
Breads
Breads from around the world to complement this global dish.
Flaky Roti Paratha (Malaysian Roti Canai) | The Storied Recipe
Make Roti Prata at home like the Mamak hawkers in Malaysia & Singapore! Roti dough is scrunched, spiraled, flattened and fried in ghee for a flaky Roti Canai!
Naan | Rasa Malaysia
Soft, puffy, and blistered—this naan recipe is foolproof! It’s quick, easy, and tastes even better than restaurant naan. No tandoor oven required—just a cast iron skillet.
Pita Bread | My Greek Dish
Our very best homemade Greek pita bread recipe! And the best part, ready to bake in only 10 minutes. Find out how to bake them to perfection with this super easy recipe.
Zaatar Manakeesh | Feel Good Foodie
Zaatar Manakeesh is a Mediterranean bread that's made with zaatar spice. It's an easy recipe to make from scratch using very few ingredients!
Manakish with Cheese and Za'atar | Hungry Paprikas
Manakish are Lebanese pizza made from a soft dough, topped with cheese or Za'atar. The perfect breakfast and so easy with this recipe!
Samoon Bread (Iraqi flatbread) | Sour and Sweets
Samoon Bread is a famous traditional Iraqi flatbread. Once you broil it, you can enjoy it with your favorite dishes. Enjoy the crispy crust!
Chapati Recipe (Indian Flatbread) | Swasthi's Recipes
Chapati Recipe to make super soft and perfect Indian flatbread every single time! The recipe uses whole wheat flour & water...
Greek Yogurt Turkish Flatbread (Bazlama) | The Cafe Sucre Farine
This delicious, pillowy soft Turkish Flatbread is an easy, one-bowl-no-mixer recipe. It's perfect with hummus, tabouli, for wraps and more!
Rice Sides
Rice dishes with fragrant spices from across the Middle East, Mediterranean, and Persia.
Lebanese Rice | Amira’s Pantry
Simple and easy no fuss recipe for rice with vermicelli. No rinsing, no soaking recipe for a rnquick, easy and fluffy rice each time. #amiraspantry #lebaneserice
Persian Rice with Potato Tahdig | The Mediterranean Dish
Rice with Potato Tahdig is a traditional Persian recipe where fluffy grains of rice are encased in a crispy shell with fried potatoes.
Golden Rice Pilaf with Dried Fruit and Almonds | Once Upon a Chef
Enjoy this flavorful golden rice pilaf with basmati rice, spices, dried fruit, and almonds—perfect with chicken, lamb, or grilled meat.
Kabsa Arabian Rice | Recipes Are Simple
Kabsa Arabian Rice, make delcious frgrant Saudi rice with chicken. A recipe with a few more steps than the average Kabsa.
Salads
Add a little acid to your meal with these sharp salads.
Sabzi Khordan Chopped Salad | Cardamom and Tea
Sabzi khordan chopped salad, with feta, tomato, romaine, and a whole heap of herbs (including basil, parsley, cilantro, and chives).
Shirazi Salad | Cooking With Ayeh
Shirazi Salad is a Persian salad made with tomatoes, cucumbers, and onion. It's crisp, refreshing and goes well with any meal! If I had to pick my
Arabic Fattoush Salad | LaaLoosh
Check out this wonderfully fresh and delicious Arabic Fattoush Salad Recipe at LaaLoosh.com. A simple salad that's bold with Middle Eastern flavor.
Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad | Proportional Plate
You'll find this bright & colorful salad all over the Middle East. I'm showing you how to make this delicious salad in 15 minutes at home!
Tabouli Salad: A Lebanese Tabbouleh Recipe - Maureen Abood
Here's my recipe for authentic tabbouleh (tabouli), a Lebanese herb salad of parsley, mint, tomatoes, onion, and bulgur wheat.
Olive Salad | The Mediterranean Dish
Olive salad recipe with briny Castelvetrano olives, sweet bell peppers, buttery walnuts, fresh herbs, and tart Pomegranate dressing to tie it all together. Takes 10 minutes or less!
Balela Salad (Middle Eastern Chickpea Salad) | The Simple Veganista
A quick and easy Middle Eastern chickpea salad recipe featuring fresh flavors, herbs and spices and great as a dip or pita filler!
Mediterranean Watermelon Salad | The Little Ferraro Kitchen
A quick and bright Mediterranean watermelon salad with creamy feta, quick pickled onions tossed in a tangy sumac honey dressing.
Omek Houria (Tunisian Carrot Salad) | Olive Magazine
Omek houria is a Tunisian salad made with puréed carrots and harissa – it's usually served with toppings like hard-boiled eggs, feta or tuna, but you can easily keep the dish vegan
Greek Salad | Well Plated
Traditional Greek salad is simple and vibrant. Fresh tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olive and feta, tossed in an herby Greek salad dressing.
Vegetable Sides
Add fresh produce to complement the juicy lamb koftas.
Mediterranean Grilled Vegetables | The Healthy Table
This delicious grilled Mediterranean vegetables recipe is the perfect side dish! They're char-grilled to perfection and topped with herbs.
Torshi Liteh (Persian Pickled Vegetables) | Persian Good
Torshi is a popular Middle Eastern and Mediterranean side dish that is very tasty. Liteh is one of the most flavorful torshis you can imagine.
Torshi (Assyrian Pickled Vegetables) | Hildas Kitchen Blog
These delicious pickled vegetables are known as torshi throughout the Middle East. A mix of vegetables are pickled in a vinegar-brine solution infused with curry.
Roasted Eggplant | The Modern Nonna
This Roasted Eggplant Recipe is beautifully caramelized, sweet, and so easy to make. Serve it as a side dish or mash it into a delicious dip.
Fasolakia - Greek Green Beans | Unicorns In The Kitchen
Fasolakia is a Greek green bean recipe made with tender green beans braised in olive oil and tomato, great as a main or side dish.
Egyptian Style Potato Casserole | The Mediterranean Dish
All-star potato casserole recipe with a delicious Egyptian twist! Potato wedges are combined with carrots and bell peppers, then topped with a special spiced meat sauce.
Lamb Kofta Sauces
There's no kofta without a sauce. Make more than one!
Tahini Sauce | Cookie and Kate
Learn how to make ultra creamy tahini sauce! The best tahini sauce is ultra creamy, deliciously tangy and irresistible. This recipe is easy to make, too. You'll just need a whisk!
Hummus | Inspired Taste
How to make homemade hummus with chickpeas, garlic, tahini and olive oil. This is the best hummus recipe, just read all the happy reviews. With helpful video!
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus | DownShiftology
Roasted red pepper hummus is incredibly easy to make at home with just a few ingredients. It's creamy, smooth, slightly smoky and full of flavor - a great healthy snack!
Labneh - Labneh Dip and Zaatar | Two Purple Figs
Make Labneh! Video for Labneh Dip with Moroccan Olive Oil Zaatar Pistachio MintTopping and Pita Chips. This Labneh Recipe is Insanely Good!
Toum: Lebanese Garlic Sauce | Mama's Lebanese Kitchen
This is a staple of Lebanese cuisine, might just be the tastiest thing on Earth (or at least in the Middle East). For those who've tried it, toum will be forever on your mind due to its amazing balance of lemon and garlic…
Tzatziki | Natasha’s Kitchen
Tzatziki Sauce is a Greek cucumber yogurt dip. This Tzatziki recipe is great with chicken, grilled veggies, pita, gyros, and as a veggie dip.
Baba Ganoush | Tori Avey
Learn to make creamy, healthy and delicious babaganoush dip with smoky roasted eggplant, tahini, garlic, lemon, olive oil and spices.
Spinach Yogurt Dip (Borani) | The Crescent Kitchen
This spinach yogurt dip is tasty, easy and healthy. Topped with aromatic sizzled mint, fried onions and walnuts, this borani is a crowd pleaser.
Raita | Swasthi's Recipes
Raita recipe to serve with biryani, pulao,rice, kebabs or any indian meal. It is a yogurt based dish from Indian cuisine
Desserts
Sweet endings to the perfect meal. You'll be so full you'll only need a biteful, so make it perfect!
Ghraybeh Cookies: Middle Eastern Shortbread-Butter Cookie | The Storied Recipe
My extraordinary friend Mai of the blog Almond and Fig shared the recipe for these soft Middle Eastern cookies with me for the Christmas in Palestine episode.
Halawet El Jibn (Sweet Cheese Rolls) | Cleobuttera
A delectable Arabic dessert made from rolls of soft, sweet cheese dough that gets stuffed with clotted cream, and crowned with pistachios and rose petal jam, with a drizzle of syrup flavored with orange blossom and rose water […]
Baklava | Natasha’s Kitchen
This honey baklava is flaky, crisp and tender and I love that it isn't overly sweet. It's basically a party in your mouth. It's truly delicious.
Related Recipe
Authentic Persian Ground Lamb Meatballs filled with minced meat, lentils, ground spices, fresh herbs, and various fillings. Serve the cooked koftas in their own turmeric-spiced tomato sauce.
More What To Serve With Posts
Listen To Nazli's Episode Now
Nazli discusses a wartime childhood, the beauty of the landscape in Iran, the Spring celebration of Norwuz, and the ancient Persian culture that Iranians share with many other nations.
Follow The Storied Recipe in Your Favorite Player
Recipe
What To Serve With Kofta: 47 Sides (with Recipes!)
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
Sides for Lamb Koftas or Kofta Kebabs - authentic and easy potato, vegetable, bread, sauces, rice and dessert recipes. Includes links. Create your own Persian, Mediterranean, or Middle Eastern Feast!!
Ingredients
Potato Dishes
- Batata Harra Bites Of Beri from Bites Of Beri
- Moroccan Roasted Potatoes from Let’s Dish
- Lebanese Street Fries from Cosette’s Kitchen
- Baked French Fries from Well Plated
- Sanyet El Batates (Egyptian Baked Potatoes) from Food Dolls
Breads
- Flaky Roti Paratha from Shakila, Guest Of The Storied Recipe
- Naan from Rasa Malaysia
- The Easiest Pita Bread from My Greek Dish
- Za’atr Manakeesh from Feel Good Foodie
- Middle Eastern Cheese Bread from Hungry Paprikas
- Samoon (Iraqi Flatbread) from Sour And Sweets
- Chapati from Swasthi’s Recipe
- Bazlama Turkish Yogurt Flatbread from The Cafe Sucre Farine
Rice Sides
- Lebanese Rice from Amira’s Pantry
- Potato Tahdig (Persian Rice With Potatoes) from The Mediterranean Dish
- Basmati Rice Pilaf With Dried Fruit And Nuts from Once Upon A Chef
- Kabsa (Saudi Arabian Chicken And Rice) from Recipes Are Simple
Salads
- Sabzi Salad- Herb Salad from Cardamom And Tea
- Shirazi Salad (Cucumber, Tomato, And Mint Salad) from Cooking With Ayeh
- Arabic Fattoush Salad from LaaLoosh
- 5 Ingredient Mediterranean Tomato Salad from Proportional Plate
- Lebanese Tabbouleh from Mareen Abood
- Mediterranean Olive Salad from The Mediterranean Dish
- Balela Chickpea Salad from Simple Veganista
- Watermelon Salad from Little Ferraro Kitchen
- Omek Houria (Tunisian Carrot Salad) from Olive Magazine
- Greek Salad from Well Plated
Vegetable Dishes
- Mediterranean Grilled Vegetables from The Healthy Table
- Pickled Eggplant (Torshi Liteh) from Persian Good
- Picked Vegetables (Torshi Shoor) from Hildas Kitchen Blog
- Roasted Eggplant from The Modern Nonna
- Fasolakia (Greek Green Beans) from Unicorns In The Kitchen
- Potato Casserole Egyptian Style from The Mediterranean Dish
Sauces
- Best Tahini Sauce from Cookie And Kate
- Creamy Hummus from Inspired Taste
- Roasted Red Pepper Hummus from DownShiftology
- Labneh Dip from Two Purple Figs
- Garlic Sauce - Toum from Mama’s Lebanese Kitchen
- Tzatziki Sauce from Natasha’s Kitchen
- Classic Baba Ghanoush from Tori Avey
- Borani (Spinach Yogurt Dip) from The Crescent Kitchen
- Yogurt Raita from Swasthi’s Recipes
Desserts
- Simple, Soft Graybeh Cookies from Mai, Guest Of The Storied Recipe
- Halabwet El Jibn (Sweet Rolls With Clotted Cream) from Cleobuttera
- Baklava from Natasha’s Kitchen
Instructions
Cue Up The Episode!
- Make sure to listen to Nazli's episode, A Primer On Persian Culture, while you make her Lamb Kofta or one of the 47 delicious side dishes!
- Choose an idea - or lots of ideas - for inspiration.
- Follow recipe links for instructions.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Main, Salads, Side Dishes
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Persian
Nutrition
- Calories: 300
Would love to hear from you!