Easy Greek Meatballs (Keftedes)
Keftedes are Greek meatballs that are juicy, delicious and easy to make. Serve them with some pita, salad and tzatziki for a complete Mediterranean meal!
- Prep time
- 15 min
- Cook time
- 15 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 1 lb ground beef (90% lean)
- 1/2 lb ground lamb
- 2 tbsp bread crumbs
- 1 onion (grated)
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp dried mint
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
Instructions
- 1
Place the ground beef and lamb in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse a few times so they're combined.
- 2
Add in bread crumbs, onion and garlic. Pulse again for a couple of times.
- 3
Add in the egg, dried mint, thyme, paprika, lemon juice, lemon zest, cumin, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Pulse for about 30 seconds until all the ingredients are perfectly combined.
- 4
Shape the meatballs using an ice cream or cookie scoop and place them on a baking sheet. If the mixture is too sticky, wet your hands and then shape them.
- 5
In a large pan, heat the olive oil and place the meatballs to cook.
- 6
Cook the meatballs for about 10 minutes and stir them a couple of times to make sure they're brown on all sides and cook evenly.
- 7
Serve with pita, Greek salad and tzatziki sauce.