Grilled Turkey Lula Kebabs

By Updated on

Grilled Turkey Lula Kebabs made with ground turkey, plenty of spices, and fresh parsley are the perfect healthy Mediterranean meal.

200 CAL 3g CARBS 4g FAT 37g PROTEIN 0
Leave a Comment

Grilled Turkey Lula Kebabs are packed with Mediterranean flavors and made on the grill or in the oven for a delicious and healthy meal.

We have a serious takeout habit from our favorite Mediterranean restaurant that almost always includes chicken shawarma, Lula kebabs, Israeli salad, chicken kofta, hummus, and copious amounts of garlic sauce. It's a problem, but one that I am trying to remedy by making some of our favorites at home.

This week I started with our beloved Lula kebabs but went with a version made with ground turkey instead of ground beef and lamb. Not only is it healthier, but it's also significantly more affordable since ground lamb can be pretty pricey.

I was fairly intimidated when it came to the kebab making part since it seems like it would be difficult to get the ground meat to stay put during grilling.

Turns out the key is refrigerating the kabobs before placing them on the grill. This not only gives everything some time to marinate and for the flavor to combine, it also ensures that the meat will firm up and stay in place.

Now when it comes to serving these delicious Turkey Lula Kebabs, you are going to want to have some tzatziki and Israeli salad around. The cucumber and garlic yogurt sauce is the perfect thing for dipping and Israeli salad is fresh and bright.

We like to pile everything high into lightly grilled pitas but they also make a delicious salad for something lower in carbohydrates.

Lula kabobs made with ground turkey on a board with tortillas, red onions, tomatoes, and a slate board.

What is a Lula Kabob?

Lula kabobs are a traditional Armenian dish that is usually made with a combination of ground beef, ground lamb, fresh herbs, onions, and spices. There is a similar Persian dish called Koobideh.

The ground meat is wrapped around a skewer and then cooked on the grill until the outside is slightly crispy and the inside is cooked through. Most times, Lula kabobs are served with garlic sauce, rice, grilled tomatoes, hummus, and salad. There is always pita bread as well. 

Can I make these kabobs with ground beef? ground lamb?

These kabobs will work with any type of ground meat or a combination of ground meats. For example, you could use just ground beef, just ground lamb, or a combination of the two. You could also combine ground turkey with ground lamb. This adds that delicious lamb flavor but makes it healthier and lower calorie. 

Side Dish Ideas

Traditionally, Lula kabobs are almost always served on a bed of white rice. Sometimes this rice is seasoned with saffron, but not always. Then it is served with grilled tomatoes, pita bread, and salad. Here are some additional ideas for side dishes:

  • Even though it isn't traditional, I love to serve Lula Kabobs with Israeli Salad or this simple cabbage salad.
  • Make some grilled vegetables on the side like these grilled onions, grilled eggplant, or grilled yellow squash
  • Serve this with a simple green salad and some toasted pita bread. 
  • My family loves to eat these with grilled potatoes or baked potatoes. 
  • If you are lucky enough to have leftovers, these make delicious pita sandwiches with sliced cucumbers, greens, tomatoes, red onion, and tzatziki or hummus. 

Can these be cooked in the oven?

If you don't want to cook these on the grill, they can also be cooked under the broiler. Start by preheating the broiler. Place the Lula kabob on a wire rack on a baking sheet covered in foil. Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side or until the turkey is cooked through and juices run clear. Let rest for 3-5 minutes before serving for the juices to redistribute. 

Looking for more Kabob recipes?

The Recipe
Grilled turkey lula kabobs with red onions, parsley, and lemon on a slate board.

Grilled Turkey Lula Kebabs

200 CAL 3g CARBS 4g FAT 37g PROTEIN 0
PREP TIME: 40 Min
COOK TIME: 15 Min
TOTAL TIME: 55 Min
Leave a comment
  • Print
  • Download
  • Send to your inbox

Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 1.33 lbs 99% lean ground turkey (or 93% lean for more moisture)
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup onion, minced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp coriander
  • Salt and pepper

Like this Recipe? Try our Meal Plans!

Slender Kitchen Meal Plans
  • Weekly Meal Plans
  • Easy Shopping List
  • Healthy, Low Carb, & Vegetarian
  • Nutritional Information

Instructions

(Hide Media)

Switch to prevent your screen from going dark.

1

Mix together all the ingredients until just combined. Try not to over mix to prevent the turkey from becoming tough.

2

Gently press the meat around wooden skewers to create kabobs. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can shape the meat into meatballs or logs and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Then gently thread them onto the kabobs.

3

Grill for 4-5 minutes per side or until turkey is cooked through.

4

To cook in the oven, broil for 4-5 minutes per side until cooked through.

Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 6 oz. (1-2 kabobs)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 200
Calories from Fat 39
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 4g
6%
Saturated Fat 1g
6%
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Cholesterol 130mg
43%
Sodium 99mg
4%
Total Carbohydrate 3g
1%
Dietary Fiber 0g
3%
Sugars 1g
Protein 37g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

user image
About the author Meet Kristen McCaffrey
Hi, I’m the cookbook author, recipe developer, and food enthusiast behind Slender Kitchen. I am obsessed with making healthy food that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Meal planning is my secret weapon and I hope I can make meal time easier for you with our tried and tested recipes and foolproof meal plans. Learn More
0 Comments
On Grilled Turkey Lula Kebabs
user image
Instagram Icon
Did you make this?

Snap a picture and show us what you made on Instagram or Facebook. Tag us using @SlenderKitchen or #slenderkitchen.