15 Lamb Recipes for Lunch – Eid al Adha Global Delights

UAE Moments

16-05-2025

Celebrate this Eid al Adha with a delicious variety of lamb recipes for lunch. From spicy stews to slow-cooked roasts, these traditional dishes come from across the globe, each offering a unique taste of culture and history. Discover how lamb brings families together through food this festive season.
Irresistible Lamb Recipes for Lunch – Eid al Adha Special
These lamb dishes reflect the diverse traditions of Eid al Adha, showing how people around the world prepare this symbolic meat. Each recipe is packed with rich flavors, meaningful history, and love. Let's explore how different cultures serve lamb for a festive lunch.
1. Kabsa – Saudi Arabia
A fragrant rice dish made with lamb, tomatoes, carrots, raisins, and kabsa spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and black lime. Originating in the Arabian Peninsula, Kabsa is a centerpiece in Saudi feasts during Eid, cooked in one pot and often served with yogurt and salad.
Read More: Eid Al Adha Customs and Traditions in UAE
2. Mansaf – Jordan
Mansaf features tender lamb cooked in jameed (fermented yogurt) and served on flatbread over rice. It's Jordan's national dish and symbolizes hospitality, especially during Eid. Pine nuts and parsley garnish this rich, tangy meal, traditionally eaten communally with the right hand.
3. Lamb Haneeth – Yemen
Slow-cooked in a tandoor oven or wrapped in foil, Lamb Haneeth is seasoned with cumin, coriander, cardamom, and cloves. This Yemeni dish is deeply aromatic, served with rice and spiced tomato sauce. Its slow-roasting technique delivers fall-off-the-bone tenderness perfect for Eid lunches.
4. Meshwi – North Africa
Meshwi is a North African grilled lamb dish typically marinated with olive oil, garlic, paprika, and cumin. Originating from Tunisia and Algeria, it's usually served with harissa and bread. Meshwi is a simple, smoky, and communal barbecue tradition during Eid.
5. Tagine Barkouk – Morocco
This Moroccan tagine balances sweet and savory with lamb, prunes, almonds, cinnamon, and saffron. Tagine Barkouk, slow-cooked in a clay pot, is deeply spiced and often finished with sesame seeds. It celebrates Morocco's fusion of Arab, Berber, and French culinary roots.
6. Mechoui – Morocco
Mechoui is a whole lamb roasted over a spit or in a pit oven, seasoned with cumin and salt. From Morocco, it's a dramatic and festive centerpiece for large gatherings during Eid al Adha. The lamb is cooked until crisp on the outside and tender inside.
7. Lamb Stew – Ireland
This comforting stew features lamb, potatoes, carrots, and onions simmered in a broth of herbs and sometimes Guinness. Though not exclusive to Eid, Irish lamb stew represents global appreciation for lamb as a rich, rustic meal fit for any celebration.
8. Lamb Borek – Turkey
A Turkish pastry filled with minced lamb, onions, parsley, and spices, Lamb Borek is a crisp, golden snack or lunch dish. Its flaky phyllo dough encases savory meat, offering a crunchy contrast to tender filling. Popular during Eid for its ease and crowd-pleasing taste.
9. Sindhi Biryani – Pakistan
Spicy and colorful, Sindhi Biryani is a Pakistani favorite using lamb, rice, yogurt, tomatoes, green chilies, and dried plums. The dish layers aromatic basmati rice with robust curry and is often garnished with fried onions and mint. It's a festive staple during Eid al Adha.
10. Rogan Josh – Kashmir (India)
This deep red curry uses lamb cooked in yogurt, Kashmiri chili, and aromatic spices like fennel and ginger. Rogan Josh originates from Persian cuisine and was embraced in Kashmir. It's a rich, hearty main course ideal for a festive Eid meal.
Read More: Top Indian Restaurants in Dubai
11. Mutton Korma – India
Korma is a Mughlai-style lamb curry featuring ghee, cream, yogurt, nuts, and spices. Mutton Korma is luxurious and celebratory, often enjoyed during Eid. Its creamy texture and nutty flavor profile make it a royal treat served with naan or rice.
12. Lamb Pilau – Afghanistan
Afghan Lamb Pilau features long-grain rice cooked with lamb, carrots, raisins, and spices like cumin and cardamom. This dish is a national treasure in Afghanistan, with its subtle sweetness and deep flavor making it perfect for Eid lunch celebrations.
13. Lamb Moussaka – Greece
Greek Moussaka layers sautéed lamb mince with eggplant, béchamel sauce, and cheese. Baked until golden, this dish is a comforting blend of Mediterranean flavors. Although not tied to Eid traditionally, it showcases how lamb is treasured in diverse cultures.
14. Khoresht-e Fesenjan – Iran
A Persian stew made with lamb, pomegranate molasses, and ground walnuts, Khoresht-e Fesenjan is tangy, sweet, and nutty. It's typically served with saffron rice. This rich, deep-colored dish represents Iranian culinary artistry and is enjoyed during special feasts like Eid.
15. Khashlama – Armenia
An Armenian lamb stew made with bell peppers, potatoes, onions, and herbs. Khashlama is boiled, not sautéed, preserving the pure flavors of the ingredients. Traditionally eaten in large family gatherings, it fits perfectly into the spirit of Eid al Adha lunch.
From North African grills to South Asian biryanis and Middle Eastern stews, lamb recipes for lunch during Eid al Adha are diverse and deeply meaningful. These dishes not only feed the body but also connect hearts across cultures, reminding us of the joy and unity that this sacred celebration brings.