Spicy Lamb Meatballs. Great Appetizer recipe. (2024)

Serve these Spicy Lamb Meatballs at your next party. They’re baked in the oven for easy, no mess prep, and when used as the centerpiece of a crudites platter, they’re a perfect party treat. And a great partner for a Spanish red wine.

The Holiday season offers plenty of opportunities to create some festive appetizers. It is celebration season after all. And if you’re looking for lamb appetizer recipes, I hope you consider these meatballs.

These spicy lamb meatballs are easy to make and grabbing some crudite items at the supermarket will provide you with a colorful appetizer platter that you’ll be proud to present.

These spicy lamb meatballs carry just enough spicy heat to get your attention and with unlikely partners of thyme and Dijon, a savory meatball with jazzy flavor.

We found this recipe Wine Spectator Magazine, who showcased these lamb meatballs as Tapas Spanish Meatballs lamb appetizer.

Let’s take a look:

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Ground Lamb
• Full Fat Milk
• Bread Crumbs: Fresh bread crumbs, Panko, or a mix of Italian Bread Crumbs and Panko.
• One Egg
• Seasonings: New Mexico Red Chile Powder (or Cayenne) Dijon Mustard, Garlic Powder, Dried Thyme.

Substitution idea: Substitute red chile powder with spicy smoked paprika for a more Mediterranean feel.

Step by Step Instructions, How To Make Lamb Meatballs

• Step 1: Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
• Step 2: Using clean hands, gently mix the ingredients until well blended.

• Step 3: Using the palms of your hands, shape the mixture into 1-inch balls, and place them on a greased baking sheet one inch apart. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 1 hour. Then bake about 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Common Questions About Lamb Meatballs

What To Serve With Spicy Lamb Meatballs

• You can make these spicy lamb meatballs any time of the year as a light dinner. Serve them with a tossed salad or a simple side dish like this recipe for Mixed Green Vegetables. Or serve them over Baked Rice.
• If serving them as part of a Holiday celebration of party appetizers, consider building a crudite platter as shown above. Or make things easy and serve them alongside a platter of mixed fruit, (grapes are always easy), you can’t go wrong with Shrimp co*cktail, or Spicy Deviled Eggs.
• Serve these meatballs with a dipping sauce such as Tzatziki Sauce or a Lemon Greek Yogurt Sauce.

Tips for Success:

• Hands are always the best tool for mixing meatballs or meatloaf. Using a large spoon will crush everything together, creating a tighter mix, which can cause the mix to be dry and too dense in texture.
• If you don’t want the present these as Spanish Tapas Meatballs, place the cooked meatballs on a bed of arugula that’s been tossed with lemon juice and olive oil.
• If the meatball mixture is too soft and won’t hold a meatballs shape, add a sprinkle more of bread crumbs. If too dense add a teaspoon of milk. A good meatball texture should easily roll into a perfect little round ball.

More Meatball Recipes

• Mexican Meatballs with Queso Blanco
• Meatballs in BBQ Sauce
• Honey Sriracha Meatballs
• Authentic Swedish Meatballs
• Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
• Albondigas en Chipotle (Mexican Meatballs)

And don’t miss my absolute favorite meatball recipe for Ground Pork Meatballs with Ginger Lime and Basil. It’s a wow.

I hope you give this lamb appetizer idea a try. And if you’re looking for more appetizer recipes, don’t miss my appetizer category. You’ll find lots of good ideas including the most popular on my site for Campechana, Mexican Shrimp Appetizer.

Spicy Lamb Meatballs …It’s What’s for an Appetizer.

More Appetizer and co*cktail Recipes