Shashlik (Uzbek Charcoal-Grilled Lamb Skewers)
In short: Juicy cubes of lamb and fat marinated with onion, cumin and a little vinegar, grilled over charcoal and served with sumac onions and bread. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Resting
- 4 h
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 380 kcal
Shashlik is grilled at roadside stalls, in tea houses and in backyard gardens across Uzbekistan. The marinade is simple: onion, salt, pepper, cumin and a splash of vinegar, with chunks of lamb fat threaded between the meat to baste it as it cooks. Everything depends on the charcoal. Cook over glowing coals, not flames, and serve with raw onion rings, bread and tea.
Instructions
- Mix the lamb and fat with the grated onions, salt, cumin, pepper and vinegar. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight.
- Toss the sliced red onions with the sumac and 1 tablespoon of vinegar and set aside for 15 minutes.
- Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes if using them. Thread the lamb on, alternating 4 or 5 cubes of meat with one cube of fat.
- Light a charcoal grill and let the coals burn until covered with gray ash and glowing evenly.
- Grill the skewers 10 cm (4 in) above the coals, turning every 2 minutes, for 10 to 12 minutes in total. The lamb should reach at least 63°C (145°F) and have no raw pink in the center.
- Rest the skewers for 3 minutes, then serve with the onion rings and warm flatbread.
Tips
- No charcoal grill? Broil the skewers 12 cm (5 in) under a hot oven broiler for 12 minutes, turning once, or use a very hot grill pan.
- Wiping off the grated onion before skewering helps the meat brown instead of steaming, but leave a little on for flavor.
Questions and answers
How long should I marinate lamb for shashlik?
Four hours to overnight. The vinegar and onion tenderize the meat, but more than 24 hours can make it mushy.
Can I use beef or chicken instead?
Yes. Use beef sirloin or chicken thigh cubes. Chicken needs 12 to 15 minutes and must reach 74°C (165°F).
What do you serve with shashlik?
Sumac onions, tomato salad, fresh bread and tea. In Uzbekistan the skewers are often eaten with non and raw onion rings.
How long does it take to make Shashlik (Uzbek Charcoal-Grilled Lamb Skewers)?
About 45 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Shashlik (Uzbek Charcoal-Grilled Lamb Skewers)?
About 380 kcal per serving, with 28 g of protein, 6 g of carbohydrates and 28 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 380 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 28 g |
| Carbohydrates | 6 g |
| Fat | 28 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 700 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
