Description
This delicious recipe features Greek Meatballs baked to perfection and accompanied by a refreshing homemade Tzatziki Sauce. Combining ground beef and pork with fresh herbs and spices, these meatballs are flavorful and juicy. The cool, creamy tzatziki made with Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and dill complements the savory meatballs perfectly, making it an ideal dish for a hearty meal or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound 85/15 ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground oregano
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
- 1/2 cup diced seedless cucumber
- 2 cloves fresh garlic
- 1/2 cup fresh dill
- 1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
- Juice of one lemon
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature to bake the meatballs evenly and get a nice browned exterior.
- Prepare the meatball mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground pork, ground beef, fresh chopped herbs (parsley, dill, mint), diced red onion, minced garlic, salt, ground cumin, oregano, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Use your hands to thoroughly mix all ingredients until well incorporated.
- Form the meatballs: Using a cookie dough scoop, portion out the meat mixture and then roll each scoop between your palms to form uniform meatballs. Place the formed meatballs on a sheet pan that has been lightly drizzled with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Bake the meatballs: Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. Monitor the internal temperature with a thermometer to ensure the meatballs reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit for safe consumption.
- Make the tzatziki sauce: While the meatballs bake, add the diced cucumber, garlic, and fresh dill to a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Transfer this mixture to a bowl and stir in the full-fat Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and salt to taste. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Serve: Once baked, allow the meatballs to cool slightly before serving them alongside the chilled tzatziki sauce. Enjoy the harmonious flavors of this classic Greek dish!
Notes
- Ensure meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
- Using fresh herbs is key to authentic Greek flavor.
- You can prepare the tzatziki sauce a few hours ahead to let flavors meld.
- For a lighter version, use low-fat Greek yogurt in the tzatziki sauce.
- Leftover meatballs store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 5 meatballs with sauce)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
