Lamb Meatballs with Sour Cherry Sauce
Simple lamb kofta simmered in a pure sour cherry and pomegranate sauce — the weeknight version of the great Kibbeh Halabi. Fewer steps, no shell-forming, but the same essential flavor logic: savory lamb against bracingly tart cherry.
Cook this hands-free
All 214 Sofra recipes are free in the app. This one includes step-by-step English voice narration, hands-free Cooking Mode, and the original oud music by Charbel Rouhana.
Get Sofra on Google Play →Ingredients
- 500 g minced lamb
- ½ medium yellow onion, finely grated
- ¾ tsp ground allspice
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp Aleppo pepper
- 1¼ tsp salt
- 350 g sour cherries, pitted
- 2 tbsp pomegranate molasses
- ¾ cup water or light stock
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions
- Combine lamb, grated onion, allspice, cinnamon, Aleppo pepper, and salt. Mix well and form into oval meatballs, about 40g each.
- Melt butter in a wide pan over medium-high heat. Brown the kofta on all sides, about 4 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Add cherries, pomegranate molasses, water, and sugar to the same pan. Stir to combine, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom.
- Return the kofta to the pan. Cover and simmer on low heat for 20 minutes.
- Uncover and simmer 5 more minutes to thicken the sauce. It should coat the back of a spoon.
- Adjust sweetness and tartness to taste. Serve over white rice.
Hear every step read aloud
Step-by-step voice narration guides you hands-free. Faten's Idlib recipes carry her own Syrian-Arabic narration. Charbel Rouhana's original oud plays during Cooking Mode.
Get Sofra on Google Play →Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lamb Meatballs with Sour Cherry Sauce?
Simple lamb kofta simmered in a pure sour cherry and pomegranate sauce — the weeknight version of the great Kibbeh Halabi. Fewer steps, no shell-forming, but the same essential flavor logic: savory lamb against bracingly tart cherry.
Where is Lamb Meatballs with Sour Cherry Sauce from?
Lamb Meatballs with Sour Cherry Sauce comes from Idlib Syrian. Sofra documents this recipe as part of its 214-recipe Lebanese and Syrian heritage collection, including 49 dishes from Idlib province.
Is Lamb Meatballs with Sour Cherry Sauce vegetarian?
No — as written, Lamb Meatballs with Sour Cherry Sauce includes meat, fish, or meat-based stock, so it is not vegetarian. See the ingredient list for the specific ingredients used.
What can I use instead of ground allspice in Lamb Meatballs with Sour Cherry Sauce?
The ground allspice called for here is part of the traditional recipe and gives Lamb Meatballs with Sour Cherry Sauce its authentic character, so keep it if you can. If you must substitute, choose the closest equivalent you have on hand and adjust to taste — the dish will shift slightly from the traditional version but still work. The Sofra app lists the full ingredient set and sourcing notes.
What do I serve with Lamb Meatballs with Sour Cherry Sauce?
In a Syrian mains spread, Lamb Meatballs with Sour Cherry Sauce is typically served with rice or warm flatbread, a simple salad such as fattoush or tabbouleh, and pickles or yogurt on the side.
Can I make Lamb Meatballs with Sour Cherry Sauce ahead, and how do I store leftovers?
Yes — leftovers keep well stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days. Reheat gently (or bring to room temperature for cold dishes) and taste to adjust seasoning before serving. Dishes with fresh herbs or dressing are freshest the day they are made.