Make your next family meal amazing with our Greek Meatballs with Feta Sauce! This easy recipe takes only 25 minutes to make and is packed with Mediterranean flavors. With a delicious feta sauce, these juicy meatballs are great as an appetizer or served over pasta or zucchini noodles.
What has all the sizzle and flavor of a Mediterranean feast but comes together in a snap? You've guessed it... Greek Meatballs!
They are your passport to a Greek taverna, right from your own kitchen. These meatballs have it all - beef, lamb, herbs, spices, cheese, and a kick of garlic.
Served with a creamy feta sauce, it is a meal that your entire family will adore.
Ingredients
- Bread: We're using two slices of your everyday bread. This is going to act as a binder for our meatballs, keeping them moist and tender. Feel free to use gluten-free bread if you'd prefer!
- Milk: Half a cup of milk will be used to soak the bread. This step is crucial in creating that perfect, juicy texture in our meatballs.
- Olive Oil: A staple in any Greek kitchen! We're using this to sauté our onions and add a hint of flavor.
- Ground Lamb & Ground Beef: I love the combination of these two meats. The lamb brings a gamey flavor that pairs perfectly with the mellow beef. If you prefer, you can use all beef or even ground turkey.
- Sea Salt & Fresh Ground Black Pepper: These are our basic seasonings that will enhance all the other flavors in our meatballs.
- Onion: A finely chopped onion adds a nice texture and sweetness.
- Fresh Grated Parmesan: This adds a lovely salty, nutty flavor to our meatballs. You could also use pecorino if you like.
- Chopped Fresh Parsley: Fresh herbs make all the difference! Parsley adds a bright, fresh flavor but dill would be nice as well.
- Cayenne Pepper: For a bit of heat! You can adjust the amount based on your spice preference.
- Garlic: Because what's a meatball without garlic? It adds a beautiful depth of flavor.
- Egg: This is our binding agent that holds everything together.
- Lemon Juice: A squeeze of lemon juice adds just the right amount of tanginess and brightness.
For the Dipping Sauce:
- Greek Yogurt: Thick, creamy, and tangy - the perfect base for our dipping sauce.
- Milk: This helps to thin out the Greek yogurt to dipping consistency.
- Crumbled Feta: This adds a salty, tangy kick to our sauce.
- Oregano: A classic herb in Greek cooking. It adds a lovely earthiness.
- Garlic: Adds a punch of flavor to our sauce. Remember, the garlic is raw in this sauce, so it will have a strong flavor.
Step by Step
Set your oven to preheat at 420 degrees. Soak the bread in milk in a bowl.
Prepare a large baking sheet with a rack on top. In a big bowl, combine the olive oil, lamb, and beef. Sprinkle salt and pepper for seasoning.
Remove the soaked bread from the milk, squeeze out the extra liquid, and break it into small pieces over the meat mixture. Stir in the onion, cheese, parsley, cayenne, garlic, and egg.
Shape the mixture into 1 ½ - 2 inch balls and arrange them on the prepared rack on the baking sheet. Slide them into the oven to bake for 12 - 15 minutes. Finish off with a sprinkle of lemon juice.
For the dipping sauce, blend yogurt, milk, feta, oregano, and garlic in a small bowl. Serve this alongside your freshly baked Greek meatballs.
Tips and Tricks
- Don't Forget the Soak: Soaking your bread in milk might seem like an extra step, but trust me, it’s worth it! This is the secret to tender, juicy meatballs that stay together beautifully.
- Season Generously: Don't be shy with your herbs and spices. Fresh parsley, minced garlic, a sprinkle of cayenne pepper - these are the flavors that make your meatballs sing. And don't forget the sea salt and black pepper!
- Roll with Care: When forming your meatballs, aim for consistency. I like to use a small cookie scoop. They don't need to be perfect, but having them roughly the same size makes for even baking.
- Fresh Squeeze: A splash of fresh lemon juice just before serving adds brightness and cuts through the richness of the meatballs. It's like a little burst of Greek sunshine in every bite!
More Meatball Recipes to Enjoy
- 🍝 Meatball Subs: Prepare to fall in love with the ultimate comfort food - my signature Meatball Subs recipe that brings comfort into your home with every bite.
- 🥗 Meatballs without Breadcrumbs: For those seeking a gluten-free twist, discover my delectable Meatballs without Breadcrumbs, proving that you can have all the flavor without the gluten.
- 🍲 Meatball Casserole: Cozy up with my heartwarming Meatball Casserole, a family-friendly dish that combines cheesy goodness and juicy meatballs in a way that'll make everyone ask for seconds.
- 🌱 Quinoa Meatballs: Explore a healthier alternative with my Quinoa Meatballs recipe, where nutritious meets delicious, offering a perfect blend for those lighter meal days.
Greek Meatballs with Feta Sauce
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 2 slices bread
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb ground lamb
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1 onion finely chopped
- ½ cup fresh grated parmesan
- ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Dipping Sauce
- 1 cup Greek Yogurt or sour cream
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup crumbled fetta
- ¼ teaspoon oregano
- 4 cloves garlic minced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 420 degrees. Place bread in a bowl and cover with milk.
- Place a rack on a large baking sheet. Drizzle the olive oil into a large bowl and add the lamb and beef. Season with salt and pepper.
- Squeeze excess moisture from bread and crumble it into the meat. Mix in onion, cheese, parsley, cayenne, garlic and egg. Roll into 1 ½ - 2 inch balls and place on prepared rack on the baking sheet. Bake for 12 - 15 minutes. Douse with lemon juice.
- Make dipping sauce by mixing together yogurt, milk, feta, oregano and garlic in a small bowl. Serve with meatballs.
Shannon Graham
I have never had a Greek meatball before!