Description
Delicious Greek meatballs, or Keftedes, packed with Mediterranean flavor, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ cup stale bread
- ¼ cup milk or water
- 1 small onion, finely grated
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 28 ounces ground beef
- ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried mint
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 tablespoon dried oregano, ground cumin, ground coriander, or smoked paprika
- 1 large egg
- 2–3 tablespoons olive oil (for pan-frying)
- Optional: feta cheese, for variation
Instructions
- Prepare the bread binder: Tear or cube stale bread and soak in milk or water for 5-10 minutes.
- Prepare aromatics: Grate onion and mince garlic.
- Combine meatball mixture: In a bowl, mix ground beef, grated onion, garlic, parsley, mint, salt, pepper, and soaked bread and egg.
- Mix gently: Combine ingredients without overmixing.
- Chill mixture: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Form meatballs: Roll mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs.
- Pan-frying (Method 1): Heat oil in a skillet and cook meatballs until browned and cooked through.
- Baking (Healthier Method): Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes until cooked through.
- Serve: Enjoy warm with pita, tzatziki, salad, or on rice/pasta.
Notes
Meatballs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking or Pan-frying
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Greek meatballs, Keftedes, Mediterranean recipe, comfort food, appetizer