Description
These Greek-inspired meatballs offer a flavorful blend of ground lamb or beef with aromatic herbs and spices, enhanced by lemon zest and optionally topped with crumbled feta. Perfectly cooked on the stovetop, they make a delicious and hearty main course that pairs wonderfully with tzatziki or fresh Mediterranean sides.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Mixture
- 1 lb ground lamb or beef
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 egg
- Zest of 1 lemon
For Cooking
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Optional Garnish
- Crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground lamb or beef with breadcrumbs, finely chopped red onion, minced garlic, fresh parsley, dried oregano, ground cumin, salt, black pepper, beaten egg, and lemon zest. Mix gently with your hands or a spoon until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat to keep the meatballs tender.
- Form the Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs using your hands. Try to make them uniform in size for even cooking.
- Heat the Olive Oil: Place a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil, allowing it to warm up but not smoke.
- Cook the Meatballs: Add the meatballs to the skillet in a single layer without crowding. Cook for 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure all sides brown evenly and the meatballs cook through. Work in batches if your skillet isn’t large enough to fit all at once.
- Drain and Serve: Remove the cooked meatballs from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil. Serve warm, optionally topped with crumbled feta cheese. These meatballs pair wonderfully with tzatziki sauce, lemon rice, or nestled in pita bread with fresh vegetables.
Notes
- For a lighter version, bake the meatballs at 400°F (200°C) for 15–18 minutes instead of pan-frying.
- Serve alongside classic Greek sides like tzatziki, lemon rice, cucumbers, and tomatoes for a complete meal.
- Ground beef can be substituted with ground lamb for a more traditional flavor.
