Lamb Satay Disco Fries | No-Cheese Loaded Fries Recipe (2024)

Disco fries are kind of a loaded fries thing. You know, some deliciously crispy French fries smothered in some wet and dry toppings to make them even more awesome.

This Lamb Satay Disco Fries recipe is something we came up with as a non-cheese alternative. If you need to go dairy-free on your fries, this is a tasty option! It’s a great way to use up leftover lamb and is the perfect comfort food if you want to something a bit different.

Why are disco fries called disco fries?

The traditional disco fries originally came from late night New Jersey in around the 70s and 80s where party-goers leaving the disco would seek out late night snacks. Although there are some alternative views that disco fries came about a bit later in the 90s. Either way, after a night out on the town, a plate of stodgy carbs layered with salty gravy and melted cheese is great for soaking up all that booze. Jersey diner style disco fries are getting rather popular these days.

The original disco fries are gravy and cheese loaded over a pile of french fries. It’s similar to the famous Canadian dish, Poutine. But instead of cheese curds used in Poutine, Disco fries use cheddar cheese or mozzarella.

In the UK we have our cheesy chips. And if we’re feeling really fancy might go for chips with cheese and beans. We know some parts of the UK are already fans of chips and gravy. So it would seem that in general, this kind of fries concoction is popular on both sides of the pond.

Nowadays disco fries tends to be used to describe loaded fries with all manner of toppings and it’s a favourite with trendy street food vans parking up each weekend in the cities.

Why Lamb Satay Disco Fries?

We first tried disco fries at a local street food pop-up near us. But as I personally don’t eat cheese, I asked them to swap out the cheese and add satay sauce (which was included on another dish they sold) to my lamb disco fries instead. It was a taste sensation! And one I have been dying to replicate ever since.

It’s a chippy dippy kinda heaven.

What is in this Lamb Satay Disco Fries recipe?

We use leftover roast lamb in this recipe. The most succulent meat is from the slow roast lamb recipe. We simply cook it up with a simple spice mix of ground cumin, ground coriander, ground cinnamon, and salt, along with a dash of meat stock. We let the flavours marinate and gently warm up the meat.

For the satay, we make our own homemade satay sauce. It’s epic, and surprisingly easy to make. It tastes authentic as we use ground up peanuts instead of peanut butter, which can make satay sauce too gacky for our liking. The satay sauce contains peanuts, coconut milk, Panang curry paste, lime juice and sugar. You can make a big batch of satay sauce and freeze some down for another time.

The lamb satay disco fries, of course, has a base of crispy french fries. We also dress it with freshly sliced spring onions, some crispy fried onions (we buy ours in a big tub from the supermarket), and a few dollops of mayonnaise.

What does this Satay Lamb Disco Fries recipe taste like?

The leftover lamb brings the meaty savoury element to the recipe along with a gentle hint of spice. It’s spiced but not spicy as we are not using chilli. This savouriness is enhanced with the satay sauce which is salty, sweet, a little zingy, and of course very nutty.

The sprinkling of spring onions brings freshness to the disco fries and cuts through the heaviness of the thick gloopy satay sauce. A few splodges of mayo help bring a bit more creaminess to the fries. All finished with a sprinkle of crispy fried onions which lend some texture and further savouriness to the disco fries.

All in all, satay lamb disco fries are a savoury comfort food that is incredibly more-ish. You will almost certainly be reaching for more.

When to serve disco fries?

Disco fries traditionally were ordered in diners after a night out in New York City. So if you fancy the traditional option, prepare all the disco fries elements except the fries in advance. Then, at the end of a party, cook up the french fries and heat up the satay sauce and lamb, assemble and serve!

Alternatively, this makes for a crowd-pleaser of a dish served when friends are over for something a bit more casual than dinner at the table. We see this as a recipe for watching the big game, or snuggling down for a Netflix marathon. Something where you want to enjoy all the carbs!

What is the difference between disco fries and poutine?

Traditional disco fries are served with salty gravy and shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese melted on top of fries. Whereas poutine is fries smothered with gravy and cheese curds which don’t completely melt and keep some chewy texture.

What ingredients can you substitute in disco fries?

The beauty of disco fries is that you really can load them up with whatever you enjoy. We know the majority of you out there will be huge cheese fans so do add some shredded cheese as well if you fancy it.

We made a satay sauce as an alternative to cheese and gravy. But you could really get creative with toppings.

For cheese alternatives you could try a sprinkling of feta cheese.

These disco fries are great with all kinds of herbs and spices. If you like spicy then definitely top with some pickled jalapeno chillis, or a drizzle of chilli sauce. Chop up some fresh coriander, chives, or parsley to bring some freshness to your disco fries.

Instead of mayo you could add a few blobs of mint yoghurt/raita, or sour cream. Or some American/mild mustard. Tomato ketchup is, of course, always welcome on fries.

If you have any chutneys in the fridge such as mango chutney or lime pickle, give those a go on your disco fries. Try it with kimchi or sauerkraut. Maybe a drizzle of plum sauce. Or a topping of sliced gherkins.

If you don’t have leftover lamb to hand, you can either cook up some lamb neck or loin, or use whatever meat you have at home. This would also be great with pulled pork, or slow cooker chicken thighs. Maybe try this with some fried chorizo or some chopped up sausage. If you have some leftover crispy duck from your latest Chinese takeaway order, throw that in.

And these are just a few ideas. As you can see, you really can get creative with your own disco fries interpretations.

Do lamb satay disco fries cater to any dietary requirements?

Most mayonnaise are dairy-free so as long as you check you have the right variety in the fridge then these lamb satay disco fries are a dairy-free recipe.

And as long as you check your French fries, Panang curry paste, shop-bought crispy onions, and meat stock are gluten-free, then this is also a gluten-free recipe.

LAMB SATAY DISCO FRIES (SERVES 4)

INGREDIENTS

For spiced lamb

• approx. 400-500g Cooked Lamb
• 1 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
• 1/2 Tsp Ground Coriander
• 1/2 Tsp Ground Cumin
• 1/2 Tsp Ground Cinnamon
• 1/2 Tsp Salt
• 100-200ml Meat Stock (either leftover lamb stock or chicken stock)

For satay sauce

• 1 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
• 1/2 Tbsp Panang Curry Paste (less if you want it milder)
• 400ml Can of Coconut Milk
• 100g Roasted Peanuts
• 1/2 Juice of Lime
• 1 Tbsp Sugar
• Dash of Water (optional and to preference)

The rest of the disco fries

• Handful per person of Crispy French Fries, cooked to packet instructions
• Salt and Pepper, season to taste
• 2-3 Spring Onions, sliced
• 2 Tbsp Crispy Fried Onions
• 2 Tbsp Mayonnaise

METHOD

To make spiced lamb

1. In a medium-sized saucepan heat the vegetable oil and spices. Just as the spices become fragrant add the cooked lamb, stir, then add enough meat stock until it just covers the lamb.
2. Simmer on a low heat for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once the lamb is heated through and the liquid reduced and thickened, turn off the heat and keep warm.

To make satay sauce

1. In a saucepan, heat the oil and panang curry paste. Stir together until fragrant. Add half the coconut milk and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for about 5 minutes. Once the coconut milk thickens add the rest of the can.
2. Meanwhile, in a blender grind the peanuts into a powder (be careful not to over-blend or it will turn into peanut butter). Add the peanut powder to the pan and continue to simmer on a low heat, stirring occasionally. Keep an eye on it or the sauce will burn.
3. Once the satay sauce has thickened, add a little water if you need to get the consistency you want. Then add a squeeze of lime juice and half the sugar and taste. If you want it sharper add more lime juice, if you want it sweeter add more sugar.

To make Lamb Satay Disco Fries

1. Once the french fries are cooked until crispy, divide between bowls for each person and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
2. First add a layer of spiced lamb with a drizzle of the juices.
3. Now add the satay sauce with a few blobs of mayonnaise.
4. Finish with a sprinkle of spring onions and crispy fried onions.

You might also like:

• Leftover Lamb Massaman Curry
• Slow Roast Lamb Shoulder
• Roast Leg of Lamb
• Lamb Pie with Mint and Pomegranate