Imam bayildi with BBQ lamb & tzatziki
Make Imam bayildi with BBQ lamb & tzatziki once and it will go straight into your regular rotation. Prep takes about under an hour, cooking around under an hour, and it serves 4. Most of the time is hands-off while the oven does its thing, which makes it an easy one to fit around other dishes. Scroll down for the ingredients, the step-by-step method, and answers to the questions we get asked most about it.
- Level Medium
Ingredients
- 3 Aubergine
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 Chopped Onion
- 2 clove Garlic
- 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 8 Tomato
- Parsley
- 12 Lamb Loin Chops
- Paprika
- 1 Lemon
- 150 g Greek Yogurt
- ½ Sliced Cucumber
- 2 Tbs chopped Mint
Method
- Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Halve the aubergines lengthways and score the flesh side deeply, brush with a good layer of olive oil and put on a baking sheet. Roast for 20 mins or until the flesh is soft enough to scoop out.
- Fry the onion in a little oil until soft, add the garlic and cinnamon and fry for 1 min. Once the aubergines are cool enough to handle, scoop out the centres. Roughly chop the flesh and add it to the onions. Halve the tomatoes, scoop the seeds and juice into a sieve set over a bowl, then chop the flesh. Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan and cook everything for 10 mins until nice and soft. Add a little more oil if you need to. Stir in the parsley, leaving a little for scattering at the end.
- Lay the aubergine halves in a baking dish and divide the tomato mixture between them. Pour over the juice from the tomatoes, drizzle with more olive oil and bake for 30 mins until the aubergines have collapsed.
- Meanwhile, mix the tzatziki ingredients together and put in a small serving bowl.
- Season the lamb with salt, black pepper and a pinch of paprika. Griddle, grill or barbecue for 3 mins on each side or until the fat is nicely browned, then put in a serving dish and squeeze over the lemon halves. Scatter the aubergines with parsley, then serve with the lamb and tzatziki.
Tips for the best Imam bayildi with BBQ lamb & tzatziki
- Rest the finished dish for a few minutes before serving — it lets the flavours settle and the texture firm up.
- Do not crowd the pan. Cook in batches if needed so everything browns instead of steaming.
- Let the lamb come up to room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking so it cooks evenly.
- Preheat the oven fully before anything goes in — a cold start changes the texture.
Variations
- Fusion twist: keep the method but swap the spices for your own favourites — the Turkish base takes well to it.
- Individual portions: divide into ramekins or a muffin tin and reduce the baking time by about a third.
- Vegetable boost: stir in a handful of spinach, peas or diced peppers in the last few minutes of cooking.
Serving ideas
Pairs well with a simple salad and a glass of something cold.
Storage
Best eaten fresh. Leftovers keep covered in the fridge for 2 days; reheat in a hot pan or oven rather than the microwave to bring the crispness back.
Frequently asked questions
Is this Imam bayildi with BBQ lamb & tzatziki recipe medium to make?
It is rated medium: 13 ingredients and 5 steps. Follow the order and the tips above and it is very forgiving.
What can I substitute for aubergine?
Any ingredient with a similar texture and cooking time works; see the variations below for ideas. Keep quantities the same and adjust seasoning at the end.
Can I make Imam bayildi with BBQ lamb & tzatziki ahead of time?
Yes. It actually improves after a few hours, so make it earlier in the day and reheat gently before serving.
Recipe data via TheMealDB — source





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