Can I use beef or turkey?

Yes‚ ground lean beef or turkey can be used in place of ground lamb on a one-to-one basis․ Other recipe ingredients and preparation techniques‚ such as adding grated onion‚ egg‚ bread crumbs‚ and other seasonings‚ are the same for both substitutes․ The meat flavor of ground beef will be more intense than that of ground turkey․ Cooked turkey balls will have a relatively mild herbal flavor․ Use approximately 1 tablespoon of meat mixture to form balls with either substitute․ Balls can be prepared using the same baking and frying techniques․

What can replace the breadcrumbs?

Crushed pork rinds are recommended as an alternative to breadcrumbs in this recipe․ Crushed pork rinds will change the texture and flavor of the stuffing because the pork rinds may be seasoned․ Consider reducing or eliminating salt from the stuffing recipe when using seasoned pork rinds․ Be sure to crush the pork rinds well to avoid large pieces in the stuffing․

Can I freeze Greek meatballs?

Yes‚ raw and cooked meatballs can be frozen․ Raw meatballs can be frozen by shaping them and freezing them on a parchment-lined baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag or other container․ Cooked meatballs should be cooled completely before freezing on a parchment-lined baking sheet․ The article says that raw and cooked meatballs can be kept in the freezer for up to six months․

Should I bake or fry them?

Both baked and fried Greek meatballs are commonly served․ Baked Greek meatballs can be placed on a sheet of parchment paper and baked at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 18 minutes‚ turning once․ Greek meatballs can also be fried in a pan with olive oil for 3 to 4 minutes on each side․ Baked Greek meatballs are a good option for a sheet-pan meal․ Pan-fried Greek meatballs are a good option if you want a browned exterior․

What should I serve with them?

Tzatziki Sauce complements these meatballs․ Sliced tomatoes and red onions with Tzatziki Sauce make a complete meal when added to pita sandwiches with these meatballs․ Tomato sauce is also a great option‚ especially if you serve the meatballs with pasta․ Fresh black olives and oregano and feta cheese added to tomato-sauce meatballs can give them a more Greek flavor․

Greek Meatballs with Lamb, Parsley, Mint, and Oregano

By Isabella QuinnSep 27, 2026

Prep

15 min

Cook

15 min

Total

30 min

Servings

Level

Easy

Jump to recipe

Ground lamb has a‌ rich flavor and high fat content that keeps Greek keftedes‚ or meatballs‚ juicy․ Other meats‚‌ such as ground beef or turkey‚ may be substituted․ Ingredients to season keftedes include grated onion‚ garlic‚ oregano‚ cumin‚ coriander‚ parsley‚ and‚ if‌ desired‚ mint․

Greek Meatballs with Lamb, Parsley, Mint, and Oregano

The meatball mixture contains shredded onion rather than chopped onion to better hydrate‌ and season the lamb meatballs․ Other seasonings and binding ingredients in the meatball‌ mixture include dried oregano‚ cumin‚ coriander‚ Italian seasoning‚ garlic‚ egg‚ and breadcrumbs․ Optional fresh parsley and‌ mint seasonings can also be added․ Tablespoon-sized meatballs prepared for baking or sautéing‌ will be consistent․

The meatballs should be moist in the middle and hold their shape‚ about the size‌ of a tablespoon‚ as they cook․ For baking‚ flip‌ the meatballs halfway through 15 to 18 minutes of baking time to ensure even cooking․ For pan-frying‚ cook each side‌ of the meatballs for 3 to 4 minutes․ Overworking the meat when making meatballs can make them‌ firmer․ Do not‌ overmix the other ingredients․

Serve‌ with Tzatziki Sauce or tomato sauce․ Other ingredients for meatballs in a pita dish include fresh tomato and red onion slices and‌ Tzatziki Sauce․ Other ingredients for meatballs in a Greek pasta‌ dish include tomato sauce‚ black olives‚ fresh oregano‚ and feta cheese․ Raw or cooked meatballs can be frozen before or‌ after cooking․

Why you'll love this recipe

Ground lamb provides‌ fat and other ingredients to meatballs to help them stay juicy․
Other ingredients‚ such as‌ grated onions and herbs‚ can be used to flavor meatballs․
Grated onion helps distribute moisture evenly throughout the lamb mixture for best texture and helps it remain tablespoon-size․
Parsley‚ optional mint‚ oregano‚ cumin‚ and coriander are some spices and other items you might have stored at home that have Mediterranean flavors, Garlic is another common spice․
Lean ground beef or ground turkey can be substituted for lamb.
These alternatives offer cooking options but similar taste and texture properties to lamb when mixed with onions‚ breadcrumbs‚ eggs‚ and herbs․
The 400°F recipe works for parchment-baked patties, Frying involves pan-cooking the meat with just olive oil and seasoning to achieve a browned exterior․
The same lamb and herbs can be served with cucumber and garlic sauce‚ tomato sauce‚ pita bread‚ or pasta to provide several serving ideas for the lamb and herbs․

Instructions

Place the ground meat in a large mixing bowl.

Add the grated onion, garlic, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, ground cumin, coriander, and Italian seasoning.

Mix well.

Add the egg, breadcrumbs, parsley, and mint.

Mix well.

Form the meat mixture into tablespoon-size balls.

To fry, heat olive oil in a large skillet.

Fry each meatball for 3 to 4 minutes on each side.

To bake, preheat the oven to 400°F.

Place the meatballs on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, turning each meatball halfway through baking time.

FAQ

Choose fresh ground lamb suitable‌ for meatballs․ Fat in the ground‌ lamb contributes to the recipe's suggested moisture level for meatballs․ Avoid buying overly moist ground lamb since grated onion will be added to‌ the meatball mixture․ If you buy too‌ much ground lamb‚ consider freezing the leftovers for future meatballs․

1 / 5

Dinner Snacks & Appetizers Mediterranean Greek Quick Meals Party

Greek Meatballs with Lamb, Parsley, Mint, and Oregano

Name: Greek Meatballs with Lamb, Parsley, Mint, and Oregano
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 lb ground lamb (or lean ground beef or turkey); 1/4 cup grated onion; 3 tsp minced garlic; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 2 tsp dried oregano; 1/2 tsp ground cumin; 1/4 tsp coriander; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; 1 large egg; 1/2 cup breadcrumbs; 1/4 cup parsley; 1 tbsp mint leaves (optional); olive oil (for frying)

By Isabella QuinnSep 27, 2026

Prep

15 min

Cook

15 min

Total

30 min

Servings

Level

Easy

Jump to recipe

Why you'll love this recipe

Ground lamb provides‌ fat and other ingredients to meatballs to help them stay juicy․
Other ingredients‚ such as‌ grated onions and herbs‚ can be used to flavor meatballs․
Grated onion helps distribute moisture evenly throughout the lamb mixture for best texture and helps it remain tablespoon-size․
Parsley‚ optional mint‚ oregano‚ cumin‚ and coriander are some spices and other items you might have stored at home that have Mediterranean flavors, Garlic is another common spice․
Lean ground beef or ground turkey can be substituted for lamb.
These alternatives offer cooking options but similar taste and texture properties to lamb when mixed with onions‚ breadcrumbs‚ eggs‚ and herbs․
The 400°F recipe works for parchment-baked patties, Frying involves pan-cooking the meat with just olive oil and seasoning to achieve a browned exterior․
The same lamb and herbs can be served with cucumber and garlic sauce‚ tomato sauce‚ pita bread‚ or pasta to provide several serving ideas for the lamb and herbs․

Ingredients

Servings4

•1 lb ground lamb (or lean ground beef or turkey)
•¼ cup grated onion
•3 tsp minced garlic
•½ tsp salt
•¼ tsp black pepper
•2 tsp dried oregano
•½ tsp ground cumin
•¼ tsp coriander
•1 tsp Italian seasoning
•1 large egg
•½ cup breadcrumbs
•¼ cup parsley
•1 tbsp mint leaves (optional)
•olive oil (for frying)

Instructions

1
Place the ground meat in a large mixing bowl.
2
Add the grated onion, garlic, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, ground cumin, coriander, and Italian seasoning.
3
Mix well.
4
Add the egg, breadcrumbs, parsley, and mint.
5
Mix well.
6
Form the meat mixture into tablespoon-size balls.
7
To fry, heat olive oil in a large skillet.
8
Fry each meatball for 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
9
To bake, preheat the oven to 400°F.
10
Place the meatballs on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, turning each meatball halfway through baking time.