Falafel Meatball Wraps with Tzatziki Sauce
User Reviews
4.8
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
35 mins
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Servings
6 servings
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Mediterranean
Falafel Meatball Wraps with Tzatziki Sauce
Description
Falafel Meatball Wraps with Tzatziki Sauce blend ground beef or turkey with pureed chickpeas, parsley, oregano, garlic, and lemon juice to create flavorful meatballs. Baking the meatballs ensures a moist interior without frying. The accompanying tzatziki sauce incorporates cucumber and feta cheese into plain yogurt for a tangy, creamy dressing. Wrapping the meatballs and sauce in lettuce leaves or optional naan bread, topped with fresh tomatoes, forms a light, textured wrap. This layered combination highlights both smooth and crisp elements, making it a versatile meal. The inclusion of ground meat adds richness to the traditional chickpea base, catering to those preferring a heartier dish.
The preparation avoids frying, opting for baking to cook the meatballs evenly. Fresh herbs and lemon juice brighten the flavor, while the yogurt-based sauce complements the savory meat with cool, creamy notes. The option to serve with naan expands the serving styles from light lettuce wraps to more filling bread wraps.
For better binding when using ground turkey, add milk only if the mixture is too stiff, as the texture can affect how well the meatballs hold together. These falafel meatballs paired with tzatziki make a practical, hand-held meal with balanced flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 1 (15-ounce) (15-ounce) can chickpeas rinsed and drained
- ¼ cup parsley chopped, fresh
- 1 egg large
- 1 tablespoon oregano dried
- 3 cloves garlic finely minced or pressed through a garlic press, fresh
- 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef lean; or ground turkey
- ¼ cup onion or grated on a box grater, minced
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup panko bread crumbs or regular bread crumbs
- lemon juice fresh, squeeze of
Tzatziki Sauce:
- 1 cup PLAIN yogurt
- ½ cup cucumber seedless variety, grated
- ½ cup feta cheese crumbled
- 1 clove garlic finely minced or pressed through a garlic press
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice fresh
- ¼ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- Pinch black pepper
- olive oil drizzle of
For the Wraps:
- lettuce Boston or bibb, leaves
- diced tomatoes
- Naan optional, homemade, or storebought (see note, or flatbread
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with foil and lightly grease with cooking spray.
- For the meatballs, combine the chickpeas, parsley, egg, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper in a blender or food processor and puree. Scrape the mixture into a medium bowl. Add the ground beef or turkey, grated onion, milk, panko or bread crumbs and lemon juice. Mix until combined (I find it's easiest to mix with my hands).
- Shape the mixture into about 16-18 meatballs (a little smaller than golf ball size). Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet about 1/2-inch apart. Bake for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.
- For the tzatziki sauce, in a medium bowl, stir together the yogurt, cucumber, feta cheese, garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper until combined. Drizzle with a bit of olive oil. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- To serve, place 2-3 meatballs on a lettuce leaf, dollop with tzatziki and top with chopped tomatoes. The lettuce wrap can also be served inside naan bread (or serve the naan on the side), if desired.
Notes
- Choose ground beef or a firmer ground turkey variety to ensure the meatballs hold together well.
- Add milk sparingly to the mixture when using turkey to avoid a mushy texture.
- The optional naan or flatbread offers a more substantial wrap alternative to lettuce leaves.
- For best flavor, use fresh garlic and lemon juice in the meatball and sauce preparations.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 Serving | |
| Calories | 389kcal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 9g | 3% |
| Protein | 25g | 50% |
| Fat | 28g | 43% |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Cholesterol | 125mg | 42% |
| Sodium | 769mg | 32% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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