Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef, lamb, or a mixture
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs)
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for frying)
Vegetables
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup tomatoes, diced
- Optional: sliced red onion or bell peppers for extra crunch
Tzatziki Sauce
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup grated cucumber, squeezed to remove excess moisture
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Finishing Touches
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- Extra olive oil for drizzling
- Fresh mint or parsley for garnish
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground meat with finely chopped onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, chopped parsley, oregano, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Mix gently using your hands or a fork just until combined to keep the meatballs tender.
- Shape and Cook the Meatballs: Form the mixture into uniform bite-sized meatballs. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat and pan-fry the meatballs, turning occasionally until golden brown and cooked through, about 10-12 minutes.
- Prepare the Fresh Vegetables: While the meatballs cook, dice cucumbers and tomatoes into small chunks. Prepare any additional salad ingredients like sliced red onions or bell peppers to add texture and freshness to the bowl.
- Make the Tzatziki Sauce: In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt with grated cucumber, minced garlic, fresh dill, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined to create a creamy and refreshing sauce.
- Assemble the Bowl: Layer chopped vegetables at the bottom of serving bowls, place warm meatballs on top, drizzle generously with tzatziki, sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over, and finish with a drizzle of olive oil. Garnish with fresh mint or parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.
Notes
- Don’t overmix the meatball ingredients to avoid dense, tough texture.
- Make meatballs uniform in size for even cooking and attractive presentation.
- Let the meat mixture rest for 15 minutes before cooking to improve flavor and texture.
- Use fresh parsley and oregano for more intense and aromatic flavors compared to dried herbs.
- Drain excess oil from cooked meatballs by placing them on paper towels for a cleaner bowl.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free breadcrumbs)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: Greek meatballs, Mediterranean bowl, tzatziki bowl, healthy meatball recipe, Greek dinner, meal prep bowls, gluten-free Greek recipe