Greek Meatball Recipe (Keftedes)
User Reviews
5
Greek Meatball Recipe (Keftedes)
Description
Greek Meatball Recipe (Keftedes) features ground beef mixed with grated onion, minced garlic, fresh mint, and breadcrumbs to achieve a tender and fragrant meatball. The mixture is shaped into small balls and fried in olive oil to create a crisp exterior while remaining juicy inside. The meatballs are brightened with fresh lemon juice upon serving and paired traditionally with tzatziki, a cool cucumber and yogurt sauce enhancing their savory character.
The version with whipped feta involves blending feta cheese with lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, and the brine from feta for a light, creamy accompaniment that complements the meatballs’ texture and flavor.
These meatballs can be served as appetizers or as a main dish alongside Greek salads or pita bread, integrating well with Mediterranean meals. The use of fresh mint offers a distinctive aromatic lift.
The recipe notes suggest serving six meatballs per person for four people. Variations include serving with classic tzatziki or the whipped feta to suit different preferences.
Ingredients
- 450 g ground beef lean, 1 lb
- 1 onion large yellow, grated
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 egg
- 6 tbsp mint fresh, chopped
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 lemon cut into wedges
- olive oil for cooking
- tzatziki use our tzatziki recipe!, for serving
Variation: serve with whipped feta
- 1 1/2 cups feta cheese
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp feta brine the liquid the feta comes in
- zest lemon half
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Mix together ground beef, grated onion, minced garlic, salt, pepper, egg, chopped mint and breadcrumbs.
- Once combined, form into meatballs using about 1 heaping tablespoon per meatball.
- Coat the bottom of a frying pan with olive oil and turn to medium heat.
- Fry the meatballs in batches, stirring everything few minutes until meatballs are cooked through, about 10-12 minutes.
- Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and our best ever tzatziki.
Variation: serve with whipped feta
- Make the whipped feta by adding the feta cheese, feta brine, lemon juice, olive oil and lemon zest to a food processor and pulse until smooth and light. Set aside to make the meatballs.
- After you've made the whipped feta, follow the instructions above to make the Greek meatballs (keftedes). Once the meatballs are cooked, serve on top of the whipped feta with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and fresh mint.
Notes
- This recipe serves four people with about six meatballs each as an appetizer.
- It can also be served as a main dish accompanied by Greek salads or pita bread.
- The whipped feta topping can be prepared ahead and adds a creamy contrast to the meatballs.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 24meatballs
Amount Per Serving
Calories 50 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 50kcal | 3% |
| Carbohydrates | 3.1g | 1% |
| Protein | 4.9g | 10% |
| Fat | 2.1g | 3% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.5g | 3% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.3g | 2% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1.1g | 6% |
| Cholesterol | 19mg | 6% |
| Sodium | 226.1mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 0.5g | 2% |
| Sugar | 0.6g | 1% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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