Greek Meatballs (Keftedes)
If you have visited our site before you know we love food from all over the world. In addition to Indian, Thai, Cuban, South African and Italian, we now have Greek!
Greek food is delicious and full of fun flavors like dill, mint and lemon! One of our favorite recipes is Greek Meatballs or Keftedes. They are super easy to make and can be on the table in about 15 minutes! My boys love this dinner and the Tzatziki sauce (which is made with plain greek yogurt).
These Greek Meatballs can be served as an appetizer with Tzatziki sauce or as the main course.
If you are looking for some delicious side dishes to serve with Greek Meatballs, check out our Greek Bell Peppers with Feta or our Greek Rice.
What is Greek Cuisine?
Greek food is full of delicious flavors that tend to be light (even their desserts). Some dishes I would recommend trying (in addition to the Greek Meatballs of course!) are:
- Tzatziki is a classic Greek sauce and made with yogurt, garlic, olive oil, and dill; it may also include cucumbers.
- Dolmas, which are grape stuffed leaves usually with ground beef, rice, and seasoning.
- Gyros with slices of gyro placed in a pita with onions, lettuce, tomatoes, and a sauce
- Pastitsio is made with ground beef and béchamel sauce in a casserole dish.
- Saganaki is fried cheese, do I need to say MORE!
- Souvlaki is common in street-side restaurants and is meat on a skewer and flavored with Tzatziki sauce.
- Spanikopita is a spinach pie made with feta, butter, and olive oil.
- Baklava is one of their most popular desserts made with nuts, butter in crispy layers of phyllo, YUM!
Are looking for more popular Greek dishes? Check out Bucket List Journey. Annette has a great list of popular Greek dishes, including links to recipes.
What is Greek Cuisine Known for?
Greek Cuisine is known for using a wide range of vegetables, olive oil, grains, cheese, lemon juice, herbs, and yogurt. Some of the most common herbs and seasonings used in Greek Cuisine include, oregano, mint, garlic, onion, dill, parsley, and bay leaves.
Let's Get Cooking: Greek Meatballs!
To begin, take a small bowl and mix together the minced kalamata olives and red onion along with the cumin and parsley.
TIP! For the red onion, you want it minced very small, as a result it could impact how well the meatball stays together.
Next, start pre-heating your large skillet over medium heat with 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
While the skillet is pre-heating, add the ground beef to the bowl and mix together by hand.
TIP! Let the ground beef sit out for about 20 minutes before mixing so its not cold!
After you have mixed the ingredients well, you will want to make the meatballs. To do this, take a small about of the ground beef mixture (about 2 to 2 1/2 inches) and roll into a ball in the palm of your hand. Once the meatball is made place in the pan to begin cooking.
Next, with the meatballs cooking in the pan. Once the meatballs have cooked for about 3 minutes on each side (until browned) flip them.
Continue to flip the meatballs as they brown to ensure they cook consistently. Total cooking time usually takes about 9 to 10 minutes.
I recommend serving with Tzatziki sauce and your choice of sides and enjoy!!!
Did you make the Greek Meatballs?
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Greek Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup kalamata olives pitted
- 1/4 cup red onion minced
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Pre-heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- In a medium-size bowl mix all remaining ingredients together by hand. Form a 2 to 2 1/2 inch round meatball.
- Once the large skillet is heated added the meatballs.
- Cook the meatballs about 3 minutes on each side, flipping with a fork until they are evenly browned on all sides. Total cooking time is about 9 to 10 mintues.
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