Description
“Try these easy and flavorful Greek meatballs (keftedes) made with ground beef or lamb, fresh herbs, and warm spices. Perfect as an appetizer, main dish, or mezze platter favorite. Ready in just 25 minutes!”
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef or lamb
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Finely chop the onion, garlic, parsley, and mint. Zest the lemon and set aside.
- Mix Meat Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground meat, onion, garlic, parsley, mint, oregano, cumin, cinnamon, breadcrumbs, egg, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
- Shape Meatballs: Form the mixture into small, evenly sized meatballs.
- Cook Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook meatballs in batches until browned and cooked through (about 8-10 minutes).
- Drain & Serve: Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve warm with tzatziki, pita, or over rice.
Notes
- Alternative Cooking Method: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes instead of frying.
- Customization: Add crumbled feta for extra flavor, or use ground turkey for a leaner option.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Appetizer
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: greek
Keywords: Greek meatballs, keftedes, Mediterranean recipe, easy meatball recipe, Greek cuisine