Saucy Greek Lemon Meatballs (Keftedes)
Saucy Greek Lemon Meatballs (Keftedes) a tangy meatball recipe that packs a punch!
Meatballs are one of those foods that are pure comfort on the dinner table.
Whether served over pasta, smothered in cheese on a sub roll, or forked straight out of a hot skillet, we never seem to tire of juicy little globes of meaty goodness.
Today’s Saucy Greek Lemon Meatballs (Keftedes) recipe is a hybrid of greek flavors. Traditional keftedes are typically served on a meze appetizer plate with yogurt sauce, or with a tomato-based sauce and pasta.
However another popular greek dish called Youvarlakia (a thick silky lemon soup with meatballs) also served as inspiration for this recipe.
Although I like Youvarlakia, also called Giouvarlakia, I personally prefer less creamy lemon soup and more meatballs.
That’s why I turned it into a one-pot main dish or appetizer, Saucy Greek Lemon Meatballs, with the focus of the flavor and texture of the meat.
Saucy Greek Lemon Meatballs (Keftedes) make a fabulous mid-week meal.
The lemon sauce is bold and vivacious, making these meatballs wonderful over pasta or rice. However, they are just as good as a lower carb meal with a big green salad on the side.
The trick to making perfectly moist and juicy meatballs is to mix all the ingredients by hand, until very well combined.
Any pockets of unmixed ground meat in the meatballs, will create tough uneven sections in the meatballs.
However, if you mix the meatballs thoroughly, the breadcrumbs, eggs, fresh herbs, and lemon zest offer a bright zesty flavor and a sumptuous delicate texture.
Simmer these greek meatballs in silky lemon sauce and you have a true thing of beauty on your hands!
Check out our recipe card for Saucy Greek Lemon Meatballs (Keftedes) Recipe below.
Our Other Favorite Meatballs Recipes
Cheesy Enchilada Meatball Subs
Spiced Apple Swedish Meatballs
Turkey Meatballs with Orange Glaze
Saucy Greek Lemon Meatballs (Keftedes)
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground lamb or pork
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 small onion, peeled and shaved
- 1 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs + 4 egg yolks, divided
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 lemons, zested and juiced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1/4 cup chicken broth
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Place the ground lamb and turkey in a large mixing bowl. Add the shaved onions, panko breadcrumbs, 2 eggs, chopped mint, chopped dill, Italian Seasoning, garlic powder, zest of 3 lemons, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper. Mix well by hand until the mixture is very smooth.
- Use a 3-tablespoon scoop to portion out 24 meatballs. Roll the balls to pack tightly.
- Place a 14-inch saute pan over medium heat. Add the oil. Once hot, add the meatballs to the skillet. Brown the meatballs for 10 minutes, turning them every minute, to cook evenly.
- Meanwhile, whisk 1/3 cup lemon juice, 4 egg yolks, chicken broth, and 1/2 teaspoon salt together. Pour the mixture over the meatballs and simmer another 3-5 minutes to thick the sauce. Shake the pan gently to stir the sauce as it simmers. Serve warm.
Video
Nutrition
Making this recipe? Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!
Pingback: 21 Healthy Ground Turkey Meals And Recipes That Are Easy To Make - Women's Health » shikhaworld
Pingback: Crock Pot Turkey Meatballs - topsalex.com
Hi! I made your recipe tonight and it was wonderful. Working with what I had, I only used pork and dried dill. And I cut down the amounts based on what I had. Lovely. My partner ate his on noodles, I had mine on a bed of fresh spinach. Really lovely! I will absolutely make this again and I’m looking forward to adding ground lamb to the dish. As a make ahead/meal prep, one could easily make and sauté the wonderful little meatballs, chill or freeze them and then heat and simmer in that delicious lemon sauce. Very versatile. Thank you for such a lovely recipe.Â
Pingback: 21 Healthy Ground Turkey Meals And Recipes That Are Easy To Make | Viral Hub
Pingback: 21 Healthy Ground Turkey Recipes That Will Make You Drool – Daily Health And Wealth Advisors
Pingback: 21 Healthy Ground Turkey Meals And Recipes That Are Easy To Make - Women's Health - HealingPlus
This meatballs were so delicious, I thought when I was cooking them that they will be so sour , since the mixture of egg yolks, chicken broth and lemon juice was sour , they turned out to be very yummy even my picky kids loved them and voted to make them again, I will definitely make them again very soonÂ
Pingback: Weekly Meal Plan 17 - Ice Cream and Inspiration
Pingback: Spinach Garlic Baked Turkey Meatballs - WonkyWonderful
Yum! I’m going to make these this week. I might double the recipe and freeze some…do you think they’d freeze well?