Dibi (Malian Grilled Lamb with Onion Mustard Sauce)
In short: Lamb marinated in garlic, ginger and pepper, grilled until charred and juicy, then chopped and served with a sharp onion and mustard sauce. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 2 h
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 520 kcal
Dibi is grilled meat, and in Mali it is a favorite evening food. Roadside cooks char marinated lamb over hot coals, chop it on a board and serve it on paper with raw onion, mustard and hot pepper, plus bread to wrap it up. The same idea works on a home grill or under a hot broiler. Strong heat and a sharp, spicy onion sauce are what make it work.
Instructions
- Mix the garlic, ginger, oil, lemon juice, salt, black pepper and cayenne into a paste. Rub it over the lamb, cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
- For the sauce, toss the sliced onions with the mustard, oil, lemon juice, salt and chili, if using. Leave it to sit while you cook the meat.
- Heat a charcoal or gas grill to high, or heat the broiler. Take the lamb out of the fridge 20 minutes ahead.
- Grill the lamb for 4 to 6 minutes per side, turning once, until charred at the edges and the center reaches 63°C (145°F). Thicker pieces need a minute or two longer.
- Rest the lamb for 5 minutes, then chop it into bite-size pieces on a board, bones in or out as you prefer.
- Pile the lamb on a platter, top with the onion sauce and serve with bread.
Tips
- Mutton is traditional and has a stronger flavor. If you find it, marinate it overnight and cook it a little longer. Goat works too.
- Keep the grill very hot and do not press on the meat, which squeezes out the juices.
Questions and answers
What is dibi?
Dibi is grilled lamb or mutton cut into pieces and served with raw onion, mustard and hot pepper. It is sold at roadside stands in West Africa, especially in the evening.
What is served with dibi?
Bread, such as a baguette, is the usual partner, along with sliced raw onion, mustard and pepper sauce. Some people add fried potatoes or plantain.
Can I cook dibi in the oven?
Yes. Broil for 5 to 6 minutes per side until charred, or roast at 230°C (450°F) on a rack for 15 to 20 minutes, turning once, until the center reaches 63°C (145°F).
How long does it take to make Dibi (Malian Grilled Lamb with Onion Mustard Sauce)?
About 45 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Dibi (Malian Grilled Lamb with Onion Mustard Sauce)?
About 520 kcal per serving, with 31 g of protein, 14 g of carbohydrates and 38 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 520 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 31 g |
| Carbohydrates | 14 g |
| Fat | 38 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 740 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
