• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Work With Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Moments
    • Pregnancy/Baby
      • Baby Registry List
      • Thriving Postpartum: What to Expect & Postpartum Essentials for Mom
  • Shop
    • Best Kitchen Gifts
    • Baby Registry List
    • Kitchen Tools (Must Haves)
    • Pantry Staples (Baking & Cooking)
    • Food Photography Essentials
  • Instagram
JoyFoodSunshine
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About Laura
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Never Miss a Recipe

  • ×

    Home » Greek Meatballs

    Greek Meatballs

    Published: Sep 15, 2021 · Modified: Jan 17, 2023 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    These Greek Meatballs are a quick & easy, flavorful main dish or appetizer ready in 20 minutes! Serve them with tzatziki, wrapped in a pita, or over a Greek salad!

    overhead view of Greek Meatballs in a bowl with tzatziki, pita, red onion, fresh dill and feta cheese

    This Greek meatballs recipe has become a staple in our house. We make it at least twice a month with our homemade tzatziki, Mediterranean chickpea salad, and naan bread and it's a meal that every person in our family loves.

    These Greek meatballs are so easy that my 10 year old daughter makes them by herself from start to finish (including the tzatziki)!

    They are a quick, flavorful main dish or appetizer that's ready in 20 minutes! Serve them wrapped in a pita, or over a Greek salad for a delicious meal.

    overhead view of Greek Meatballs in a bowl with tzatziki, pita, red onion, fresh dill, avocado and feta cheese

    Greek Meatballs: Ingredients & Substitutions

    overhead photo of the ingredients in this Greek Meatballs recipe
    • Ground beef. I have used 85% up to 93% lean ground beef to make this recipe. I have also subbed ground turkey with great results.
    • Whole milk. 2% milk, half and half or cream can be used in place of whole milk.
    • Lemon juice. I have replaced lemon juice with Worcestershire sauce and it tastes amazing!
    • Minced Garlic. 1 tsp garlic powder can be substituted for 1 TBS minced garlic.
    • Onion. ½ tsp onion powder can be substituted for the diced onion.
    • Breadcrumbs. For a different binding agent use quick-cooking oats or oat flour.
    • Spices/herbs. feel free to adjust to your tastes, however I believe the recipe is best as written.
    • Fresh herbs. Adding fresh parsley or fresh dill to the meatballs is delicious but optional.
    font view of Greek Meatballs in a bowl with tzatziki, pita, red onion fresh dill, avocado and feta cheese

    How to make Greek Meatballs

    Like I've said already, this recipe is very easy to make. We'll walk through the process step-by-step, and don't forget to watch the video.

    Make the meatball mixture:

    Begin by making the meatball mixture. Combine ground beef, egg, milk and lemon juice in a large bowl.

    Then, add the breadcrumbs, oregano, coriander, cumin, sea salt, pepper, garlic and onion and stir until evenly distributed.

    Use a 1 tablespoon measuring spoon to portion out heaping tablespoon portions of the meatball mixture. Roll them into balls and place them on a prepared baking sheet (if baking).

    two overhead photos showing How to Make Greek Meatballs - making and portioning out the meatball mixture

    Cook

    There are two ways to cook these Greek meatballs - on the stove or in the oven. I usually opt for the oven because it's easier (in my opinion).

    Stovetop

    To cook on the stovetop, add 1-2 TBS olive oil to a nonstick fry pan or cast-iron skillet and turn heat to medium.

    Then, put half of the meatballs in the pan and cover it to cook over medium heat on one side for 4-5 minutes or until they are golden-brown.

    Remove the lid and flip the meatballs. Cook for another 4-5 minutes until meatballs are golden brown and the internal temperature is 160 degrees F.

    Repeat with remaining meatballs.

    two overhead photos showing How to Make Greek Meatballs in a pan on the stovetop

    In the oven

    To cook the greek meatballs in the oven, preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Then spread 1 TBS olive oil on a large baking sheet or spray the baking sheet with olive oil spray.

    Arrange the meatballs in an even layer, evenly spaced out on the prepared baking sheet. Then bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Meatballs should reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees F.

    two overhead photos showing How to Make Greek Meatballs - baking on a baking sheet in the oven

    Serve

    Once the meatballs are cooked, serve them warm dipped in tzatziki sauce, stuffed in a pita (or with a side of homemade naan), over a Greek salad, with a side of roasted veggies, or Mediterranean chickpea salad, etc.

    11 Greek Meatballs on a plate with lemon and fresh dill

    Store

    Store any leftover Greek meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    Freeze

    To freeze

    1. Place baked meatballs in an even layer on a baking sheet.
    2. Flash-freeze in the freezer until hardened.
    3. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze for up to two months.
    4. Thaw slowly in the refrigerator or at room temperature then use in your favorite recipe. You can also thaw them quicker by warming them in your favorite sauce.

    overhead view of Greek Meatballs in a bowl with tzatziki, pita, red onion, fresh dill, avocado and feta cheese

    Greek Meatballs FAQs

    What are Greek meatballs made of?

    Check out the ingredients list in the recipe card to find out.

    Can I double this recipe?

    Yes! If you are feeding a crowd you can easily double this recipe and make 60 meatballs. Or if you want to make a double batch and freeze some for later. This recipe, using 1 lb. of ground beef, makes 30 meatballs 1 TBS in size.

    overhead view of Greek Meatballs in a bowl with tzatziki, pita, red onion fresh dill, avocado and feta cheese, one is cut in half so the inside is visible

    If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

    Greek Meatballs

    Greek Meatballs Recipe

    Laura
    These Greek Meatballs are a quick & easy, flavorful main dish or appetizer ready in 20 minutes! Serve them with tzatziki, wrapped in a pita, or over a Greek salad!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Appetizer, Main Course
    Cuisine Mediterranean
    Servings 30 meatballs
    Calories 102 kcal

    Equipment

    • measuring spoons
    • measuring cups
    • spatula
    • glass batter bowl
    • baking sheet
    • non-stick fry pan

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 lb ground beef
    • 1 egg
    • ¼ cup milk
    • 1 tsp lemon juice
    • 2 tsp minced garlic
    • ¼ cup finely diced onion
    • ½ cup breadcrumbs or quick cooking oatmeal
    • 2 tsp oregano
    • 1 tsp ground coriander
    • 1 tsp cumin
    • 1 tsp sea salt
    • ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
    • Olive oil for frying
    • Optional: ¼ cup finely diced fresh parsley or dill

    Instructions
     

    Make the meatball mixture:

    • In a large bowl combine ground beef, egg, milk and lemon juice.
    • Add breadcrumbs, oregano, coriander, cumin, sea salt, pepper, garlic and onion and stir until evenly distributed.
    • Use a 1 TBS measuring spoon to portion out heaping tablespoon portions of the meatball mixture. Roll them into balls and place them on a prepared baking sheet (if baking).

    To cook on the stovetop:

    • Add 1-2 TBS olive oil to a nonstick fry pan or cast-iron skillet and turn heat to medium.
    • Add half of the meatballs and cover.
    • Cook, covered, on one side for 4-5 minutes or until they are golden-brown.
    • Remove lid and flip the meatballs. Cook for another 4-5 minutes until meatballs are golden brown and the internal temperature is 160 degrees F.
    • Repeat with remaining meatballs.

    To cook in the oven:

    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spread 1 TBS olive oil on a large baking sheet. Or spray the baking sheet with olive oil spray. Set aside.
    • Place meatballs on the greased baking sheet evenly spread out.
    • Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Meatballs should reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees F.
    • To serve: serve warm dipped in tzatziki sauce, stuffed in a pita, over a salad, with a side of roasted veggies, etc.

    Video

    Notes

    Ingredient Substitutions/notes

    • Ground beef. I have used 85% up to 93% lean ground beef to make this recipe. I have also subbed ground turkey with great results.
    • Whole milk. 2% milk, half and half or cream can be used in place of whole milk.
    • Lemon juice. I have replaced lemon juice with Worcestershire sauce and it tastes amazing!
    • Minced Garlic. 1 tsp garlic powder can be substituted for 1 TBS minced garlic.
    • Onion. ½ tsp onion powder can be substituted for the diced onion.
    • Breadcrumbs. For a different binding agent use quick-cooking oats or oat flour.
    • Spices/herbs. feel free to adjust to your tastes, however I believe the recipe is best as written.
    • Fresh herbs. Adding fresh parsley or fresh dill to the meatballs is delicious but optional.

    Store

    Store any leftover Greek meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    To freeze:

    1. Place baked meatballs in an even layer on a baking sheet.
    2. Flash-freeze in the freezer until hardened.
    3. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze for up to two months.
    4. Thaw slowly in the refrigerator or at room temperature then use in your favorite recipe. You can also thaw them quicker by warming them in your favorite sauce.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2meatballsCalories: 102kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 6gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 208mgPotassium: 113mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 29IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 27mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Photos in this post were taken by Jamie from Dishing Out Health.

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

    « Pumpkin Pancakes
    Pumpkin Brownies »

    Did you make this recipe?

    Leave a comment and review below, then take a picture and tag @joyfoodsunshine #joyfoodsunshine on Instagram so I can see it! Sign up here to receive weekly e-mails!

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Search

    About Laura

    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

    Click here to read more >>

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS Feed
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Most Popular Recipes

    • The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Ever
    • Best Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (Better than Cinnabon)
    • Easy Homemade Pizza Dough
    • Easy Dutch Oven No Knead Bread
    • Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe (5- Minutes)!
    • Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps (Better than P.F. Chang's)!

    Trending now

    • Best Oatmeal Cookies
    • Best Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe
    • Healthy Black Bean Brownies
    • Healthy Greek Yogurt Brownies
    • Best Flourless Brownies (Gluten-Free, Paleo)
    • Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Joy Food Sunshine Logo
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS Feed
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Never Miss a Recipe

    137 shares
    • 78