Greek Cocktail Meatballs Keftethes
Transport your taste buds to the Mediterranean with these irresistible Greek Cocktail Meatballs, or Keftethes. Made with a savory blend of ground beef or lamb, fragrant fresh herbs like parsley and mint, and the delicate tang of crumbled feta cheese, these perfectly seasoned bites are a true celebration of traditional Greek flavors. Infused with aromatic spices like cumin and oregano, these tender, bite-sized meatballs are seared to golden perfection in olive oil for an irresistibly crisp exterior. Ideal as a party appetizer or a crowd-pleasing snack, they pair beautifully with creamy tzatziki sauce or a refreshing squeeze of lemon. Ready in under an hour, this recipe is quick, flavorful, and sure to elevate your next gathering.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 500 g Ground beef or lamb
- 1 medium Onion, finely grated
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp Fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp Fresh mint, finely chopped
- 1 large Egg
- 60 g Breadcrumbs
- 50 g Feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 tsp Dried oregano
- 0.5 tsp Ground cumin
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 3 tbsp Olive oil, for frying
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef or lamb, grated onion, minced garlic, parsley, mint, egg, breadcrumbs, feta cheese, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Using clean hands, mix the ingredients thoroughly until they are evenly combined but avoid over-mixing to keep the meatballs tender.
Cover the mixture and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and make it easier to shape the meatballs.
Remove the mixture from the fridge and begin shaping small cocktail-sized meatballs, about the size of a walnut. You should have approximately 30-35 meatballs depending on the size.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the meatballs in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.
Fry the meatballs for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown on all sides and cooked through. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Repeat with remaining meatballs, adding more oil to the skillet if necessary.
Serve the Greek cocktail meatballs warm with tzatziki sauce or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
302 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 19.4 g | 25% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.5 g | 32% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 95 mg | 32% | |
| Sodium | 559 mg | 24% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 10.2 g | 4% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.0 g | 4% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.7 g | ||
| Protein | 20.8 g | 42% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 81 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 2.7 mg | 15% | |
| Potassium | 286 mg | 6% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
