Greek Meatballs
Greek meatballs, known as keftedes, are a delightful fusion of flavors that transport you straight to the Mediterranean. Juicy and tender, each meatball is a savory bite infused with fragrant herbs, garlic, and spices. Perfect for any occasion—be it a family gathering or a casual dinner—these flavorful treats will leave your guests craving more. Serve them as an appetizer or main course alongside tzatziki sauce for a deliciously satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: About 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground lamb or beef (or a mix)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium onion, grated
- 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for cooking
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients by chopping parsley and mincing garlic.
- In a large bowl, combine ground meat, parsley, garlic, onion, breadcrumbs, egg, oregano, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- With wet hands, shape the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear meatballs until browned on all sides—about 8 minutes—and then remove from the skillet.
- Optional: Add marinara sauce to the skillet and return meatballs to simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
- Serve warm with pita bread or over rice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs (120g)
- Calories: 276
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Swap ground beef for lamb or turkey based on preference. Experiment with different herbs like dill for added flavor. For extra richness, consider adding crumbled feta cheese into the mixture.