Dibi (Senegalese Grilled Lamb with Mustard Onions)
In short: Garlicky lamb chops grilled until browned and juicy, chopped into pieces and heaped with onions cooked in mustard and lemon. It takes about 1 h in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 1 h
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 470 kcal
Dibi is grilled lamb sold at roadside stalls all over Senegal, chopped on the spot, piled onto paper and topped with onions cooked in mustard and lemon. The lamb is marinated briefly, cooked over charcoal until browned at the edges and juicy inside, then cut up with a heavy knife. It is eaten with bread for a quick lunch or a late supper. At home, a hot grill pan or oven broiler gives a very good version.
Instructions
- Mix the oil, lemon juice, garlic, pepper, chili flakes and salt in a bowl. Rub it all over the lamb, cover and marinate for 1 hour at room temperature or up to 8 hours in the fridge.
- Start the onion sauce. Cook the sliced onions in the oil over medium-low heat for 15 minutes, stirring often, until soft and pale gold.
- Stir in the mustard, lemon juice, water, salt and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes until glossy and thick, then keep warm.
- Heat a charcoal grill, grill pan or oven broiler until very hot. Cook the lamb for 5 to 6 minutes per side, turning once, until browned and the inside reaches 63°C (145°F) for medium.
- Rest the lamb for 5 minutes. Cut the meat off the bones and chop it into bite-size pieces with a heavy knife.
- Pile the lamb on a board or plate, spoon the hot mustard onions over the top and add a few raw onion rings. Serve at once with bread and hot sauce.
Tips
- Pat the lamb dry before it goes on the grill. A dry surface browns well instead of steaming.
- Beef steak or chicken thighs can replace the lamb. Chicken must reach 74°C (165°F).
Questions and answers
Can I cook dibi in the oven?
Yes. Use the broiler on its highest setting with the rack close to the heat, and cook the chops for 5 to 6 minutes per side. A cast-iron grill pan also works on the stove.
What do you serve with dibi?
A baguette or flatbread is the usual partner, plus raw onion, mustard and hot pepper sauce. Fried plantain or a simple tomato salad also goes well.
Can I make the onion sauce ahead?
Yes. It keeps for 4 days in the fridge and reheats well. Warm it gently with a spoonful of water before serving.
How long does it take to make Dibi (Senegalese Grilled Lamb with Mustard Onions)?
About 1 h in total: 25 min of preparation and 35 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Dibi (Senegalese Grilled Lamb with Mustard Onions)?
About 470 kcal per serving, with 28 g of protein, 13 g of carbohydrates and 34 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 470 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 28 g |
| Carbohydrates | 13 g |
| Fat | 34 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 1100 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
