Go Back

Spicy Harissa Lamb Tacos

Print Recipe Pin
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Yield 8 tacos (2 ¼ cups lamb filling + 1 cup yogurt sauce)
Category Dinner
Cuisine Mexican, Middle Eastern
Author Lauren Grant

Description

These easy-to-make Harissa Lamb Tacos are perfect for busy weeknights OR for entertaining. Make them tonight and top them with a creamy yogurt-feta sauce, quick pickled onions, crunchy cucumbers and fresh herbs!

Ingredients

For the filling:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • kosher salt and black pepper
  • 1 pound ground lamb
  • 1½ tablespoons harissa (1 tablespoon + 1½ teaspoons)

For the yogurt sauce:

  • 1 lemon, zested and cut into wedges
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup crumbled feta
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh mint
  • ¼ teaspoon minced fresh garlic

To Serve:

  • 8 (6-inch) corn tortillas, warmed
  • 3 Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced
  • ⅔ cup fresh cilantro and/or parsley (I like a mix of the two)
  • Quick pickled red onions

Instructions

Ground Lamb Filling

  • Heat oil in a large sauté pan over medium until shimmering. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add coriander, cumin, garlic, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  • Add lamb and cook, crushing with a wooden spoon, until cooked through, 5 minutes. Drain off drippings. Stir in harissa and cook 1 more minute.

Yogurt Sauce

  • Juice 1 or two lemon wedges to get 1 teaspoon lemon juice (reserve the remaining wedges for serving). Mix together 1 teaspoon lemon juice, ½ teaspoon lemon zest, yogurt, feta, mint, and ¼ teaspoon garlic; season with salt and pepper to taste.

To Serve

  • Serve ground lamb in corn tortillas, top with yogurt sauce, cucumbers, cilantro, parsley and pickled onions. Serve with lemon wedges.

Notes

Don't forget to drain the meat before adding in the harissa (you'll drain off about ⅓ cup of grease)! Ground lamb can be quite fatty, draining the meat ensures your tacos won't be greasy!
1½ tablespoons (1 tablespoon + 1½ teaspoons) of harissa was the perfect amount of spice for me. If you're sensitive to heat, start with 1 tablespoon. If you love it, try using 2 tablespoons. 

Nutrition

Calories: 412kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 28gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 83mgSodium: 790mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6g
Like this? Leave a comment below!I love hearing from you and I want to hear how it went with this recipe! Leave a comment and rating below, then share on social media @zestfulkitchen and #zestfulkitchen!