Description
Traditional Greek keftedes are juicy, herb-filled meatballs with a crisp golden exterior and tender interior. Flavored with garlic, parsley, mint, and warm spices, they are a classic Mediterranean dish often served with tzatziki and pita.
Ingredients
- 500 g ground beef or lamb
- 1 small onion, finely grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Olive oil for frying
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, grated onion, garlic, parsley, mint, breadcrumbs, egg, and milk.
- Add oregano, cumin, salt, and black pepper to the mixture.
- Mix gently with your hands until all ingredients are evenly combined without overworking the meat.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate the mixture for about 20 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
- Shape the mixture into small meatballs about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.
- Heat a generous amount of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Fry the meatballs in batches, turning occasionally, until golden brown and fully cooked, about 8–10 minutes.
- Transfer the cooked meatballs to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Serve warm with tzatziki sauce, pita bread, or a fresh Greek salad.
Notes
- Chilling the mixture helps the meatballs hold their shape during frying.
- You can substitute lamb with ground beef or a mix of both for deeper flavor.
- If baking instead of frying, cook at 200°C (400°F) for about 15–18 minutes.
- Serve with tzatziki, pita bread, or a Greek salad for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
