Gluten-Free Lamb Kofta with Rice

Tender, spiced lamb kofta are pan-seared to a beautiful golden-brown, then simmered in a savory, aromatic sauce. This dish offers a delightful balance of rich lamb flavor and fragrant spices, perfect served over fluffy rice for a satisfying gluten-free meal.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Total: 40 min Serves: 4

At a glance: This easy dinner recipe yields 4 servings in about 40 minutes (10 min prep, 30 min cook). It uses 13 ingredients — including ground lamb, olive oil, garlic — and walks through 5 steps. Updated October 25, 2026. Browse more dinner recipes or return to all gluten-free recipes.

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Cross-Contamination Warning for Gluten-Free Lamb Kofta with Rice: When preparing this dinner recipe, stock, tamari and the ground cumin and coriander in the kofta should each carry a gluten-free label. Rinse basmati rice labeled gluten-free and cook it in a clean pot.

Gluten-Free Notes for Gluten-Free Lamb Kofta with Rice: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, relying on naturally gluten-free ingredients like lamb and cornstarch. Always ensure your stock and tamari are gluten-free.

Scale Recipe:

servings

Ingredient amounts update automatically

Instructions

1 Bring the rice, 2 1/4 cups water and a pinch of salt to a boil, cover, and cook on low for 15 minutes; rest off the heat, covered, for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, gently combine the ground lamb with salt, black pepper, ground cumin, ground coriander, and cayenne pepper (if using). Mix just until incorporated; overmixing can make the kofta tough. Form the mixture into about 16 small, oval-shaped kofta, roughly 2 inches long.
2 Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully add the lamb kofta in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan. Sear the kofta for about 3-4 minutes per side, until they are nicely browned and have developed a flavorful crust.
3 Remove the seared kofta from the skillet and set them aside on a plate. Reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic to the skillet, sautéing for about 30-60 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
4 Pour in the GF chicken or vegetable stock and GF tamari, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to incorporate them into the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch or arrowroot starch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth, then stir this slurry into the simmering liquid. Continue to cook, stirring, for about 2-3 minutes, until the sauce has thickened to a glossy consistency.
5 Return the seared lamb kofta to the skillet, nestling them into the thickened sauce. Cover the skillet and let the kofta simmer gently in the sauce for about 15-20 minutes, until the centers reach 160°F (USDA minimum for ground lamb). Serve the lamb kofta hot, spooning the rich sauce over them and over the basmati rice.

Nutrition (per serving)

524

Calories

44g

Protein

28g

Carbs

18g

Fat

Fiber

516mg

Sodium

Tips & Notes

Mix the lamb only until the spices are combined, as step 1 says. Overworked kofta turn dense.
Shape all the kofta the same size so they cook evenly in the sauce, and check that the centers reach 160°F.
Add chopped parsley and grated onion to the lamb for a more traditional kofta flavor.

Common questions

How long does Gluten-Free Lamb Kofta with Rice take?

Gluten-Free Lamb Kofta with Rice takes about 40 minutes: 10 minutes to prep and 30 minutes to cook, for 4 servings.

What should I check before making Gluten-Free Lamb Kofta with Rice with celiac disease?

Written with gluten-free ingredients. Use products labeled gluten-free, check labels, and ask your clinician about your own needs.

What cross-contamination risk is specific to Gluten-Free Lamb Kofta with Rice?

Check ground lamb, olive oil, garlic, minced before they go into Gluten-Free Lamb Kofta with Rice. Stock, tamari and the ground cumin and coriander in the kofta should each carry a gluten-free label. Rinse basmati rice labeled gluten-free and cook it in a clean pot.

Which gluten-free swaps does Gluten-Free Lamb Kofta with Rice use?

Gluten-Free Lamb Kofta with Rice relies on gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos, cornstarch or arrowroot. Keep those gluten-free-labeled products in place of a gluten-containing flour or sauce. If the blend already lists xanthan gum, do not add a second binder unless this recipe says to.

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Gluten Free Recipes team

Gluten-free recipe development since 2026

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