Grilled Lamb Kofta with Garlic Yogurt Sauce

• Kofta
• 1 ½ lb ground lamb
• 1 small onion, grated and squeezed dry
  Swaps for onion

  Instead of onion

  • Another onion: The same amount. Yellow is the all-rounder; white is sharper and crisper; red is milder raw and adds color; sweet onions are mildest.
  • Shallots: The same amount, chopped. Milder and sweeter, with a hint of garlic.
  • Leeks: About 1½ times as much, white and light green parts. Milder and softer when cooked.

  All 4 swaps for onion

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
  Swaps for garlic

  Instead of garlic

  • Garlic powder: ⅛ tsp for each clove. Mellower and sweeter, with no bite.
  • Jarred minced garlic: ½ tsp for each clove. Milder and slightly sour from the preserving liquid.

  More for garlic

• ⅓ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped ≈ 20 g
  Swaps for fresh parsley

  Instead of parsley

  • Dried parsley: 1 tsp dried for each 1 tbsp chopped fresh (a third as much). Very mild; it adds color more than flavor.
  • Cilantro: The same amount. Stronger and citrusy; suits Mexican and Asian dishes.
  • Celery leaves or chervil: The same amount. Celery leaves are peppery and grassy; chervil is mild with a hint of anise.

  More for parsley

• 2 tbsp fresh mint, finely chopped
  Swaps for fresh mint

  Instead of mint

  • Dried mint: 1 tsp dried for each 1 tbsp chopped fresh (a third as much). Dried mint works in tea and some Middle Eastern dishes, not in drinks, fruit salads or garnishes.
  • Fresh basil: The same amount. Sweeter and less cooling.

  More for mint

• 1 ½ tsp ground cumin
  Swaps for ground cumin

  Instead of cumin

  • Ground coriander: The same amount. Brighter and citrusy, less earthy.
  • Chili powder: Twice as much. Contains cumin, plus chile heat and garlic.
  • Caraway seeds, ground: Half as much. A related flavor, a bit sharper.

  More for cumin

• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp paprika
  Swaps for paprika

  Instead of paprika

  • Smoked paprika: The same amount. Adds a smoky flavor; lovely in most savory dishes.
  • Chili powder: The same amount. Adds cumin, garlic and a little heat.

  More for paprika

• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
  Swaps for ground cinnamon

  Instead of cinnamon

  • Pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice: The same amount. Mostly cinnamon, with ginger, nutmeg and allspice or cloves: a little spicier.
  • Ground allspice or nutmeg: About ¼ the amount. Much stronger and different, but warm in the same way.

  More for cinnamon

• 1 ¼ tsp kosher salt
  Swaps for kosher salt

  Instead of salt

  • Table salt or fine sea salt: About half as much as Diamond Crystal kosher, about ¾ as much as Morton kosher. The same saltiness when measured this way.
  • Salt by weight: 1 tsp is about 6 grams of table salt, 5 grams of Morton kosher, 3 grams of Diamond Crystal kosher. The most reliable way to swap, especially in baking and brines.

  More for salt

• ½ tsp black pepper
• Garlic yogurt sauce
• 1 cup plain greek yogurt
  Swaps for plain greek yogurt

  Instead of yogurt and Greek yogurt

  • Regular yogurt, strained: About 1⅓ cups regular yogurt for each cup of Greek. Close to Greek yogurt once strained; unstrained, dips and sauces come out runny.
  • Sour cream: The same amount. Richer and less tangy.
  • Plant-based yogurt: The same amount, plain and unsweetened. Coconut yogurt is rich but tastes of coconut; soy yogurt is closest in protein.

  More for yogurt and Greek yogurt

  Cooking for an allergy? Check every label.

• 1 clove garlic, grated
  Swaps for garlic

  Instead of garlic

  • Garlic powder: ⅛ tsp for each clove. Mellower and sweeter, with no bite.
  • Jarred minced garlic: ½ tsp for each clove. Milder and slightly sour from the preserving liquid.

  More for garlic

• 1 tbsp lemon juice
  Swaps for lemon juice

  Instead of lemon juice

  • Lime juice: The same amount. A different, more floral aroma; works almost everywhere.
  • Bottled lemon juice: The same amount. More sour and flatter; fine in cooking and baking, less bright in dressings and drinks.
  • White wine vinegar or white vinegar: Half as much. Sharper, with no citrus aroma.

  More for lemon juice

• 1 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
  Swaps for fresh mint

  Instead of mint

  • Dried mint: 1 tsp dried for each 1 tbsp chopped fresh (a third as much). Dried mint works in tea and some Middle Eastern dishes, not in drinks, fruit salads or garnishes.
  • Fresh basil: The same amount. Sweeter and less cooling.

  More for mint

• ¼ tsp kosher salt
  Swaps for kosher salt

  Instead of salt

  • Table salt or fine sea salt: About half as much as Diamond Crystal kosher, about ¾ as much as Morton kosher. The same saltiness when measured this way.
  • Salt by weight: 1 tsp is about 6 grams of table salt, 5 grams of Morton kosher, 3 grams of Diamond Crystal kosher. The most reliable way to swap, especially in baking and brines.

  More for salt

• To serve
• 4 pita breads or naan, warmed
• sliced cucumber, tomato, red onion

Missing something? Tap Swaps next to an ingredient, or see all substitutions.

Cook to 160°F inside (check with a thermometer).