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Greek meatballs (keftedes) on a plate garnished with mint and pita bread behind it

Easy Greek Meatballs (Keftedes)

Qashang
Keftedes are juicy, flavorful Greek meatballs made with ground beef, fresh herbs, and spices, then pan-fried to crispy perfection. Serve with tzatziki, pita, or a Greek salad for a delicious meal.
4.72 from 7 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Greek
Servings 24 meatballs
Calories 396 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 500g (1.1 lb ) ground beef or ground lamb
  • 1 small red onion finely diced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley or 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
  • 1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
  • 1 (28g) bread slice mashed in 2 tablespoon milk
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour for dredging
  • ¼ cup olive oil for frying

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except for the flour and oil. Mix thoroughly, then cover and refrigerate the mixture for 1 hour.
  • Once chilled, take about 2 tablespoons of the mixture and shape it into round meatballs. If the mixture is sticky, lightly grease your hands with oil.
  • Place the flour in a shallow dish. Dredge each meatball in the flour, ensuring an even coating, then shake off any excess.
  • Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Fry the meatballs, turning occasionally, until golden brown on all sides.
  • Remove the keftedes from the pan and serve with tzatziki sauce, pita bread, and a Greek salad.

Notes

  1. Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure the meatballs cook evenly and become crispy on all sides.
  2. For baking, preheat the oven to  190°C (375°F) and bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. For air frying, cook at 190°C (375°F) for 10-12 minutes, shaking the air fryer basket halfway through.
  3. For meal prep, shape the meatballs and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. To store, keep cooked keftedes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze uncooked or cooked meatballs for up to 2-3 months. Reheat before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 396kcalCarbohydrates: 18.2gProtein: 42.3gFat: 16.4gSaturated Fat: 4.4gCholesterol: 153mgSodium: 571mgPotassium: 608mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1.3gCalcium: 42mgIron: 25mg
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