Greek-inspired Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef
• 250g (0.55 lb) ground lamb 250g (0.55 lb) ground lamb
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (for frying) 2 tablespoons olive oil (for frying)
• For the tzatziki sauce: For the tzatziki sauce:
• 1 cup Greek yogurt 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cucumber, grated and squeezed to remove excess moisture 1/2 cucumber, grated and squeezed to remove excess moisture
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories: 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat: 25g (10g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 6g (2g sugars)
• Protein: 26g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.8g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground lamb, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, mint, dried oregano, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2. 2.
   Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
3. 3.
   Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the meatballs are browned and cooked through.
4. 4.
   While the meatballs are cooking, prepare the tzatziki sauce. In a bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, chopped dill, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are combined.
5. 5.
   Serve the meatballs hot with the tzatziki sauce on the side. Garnish with additional fresh herbs if desired.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground lamb — If you can't find ground lamb, you can substitute it with additional ground beef or ground pork for a slightly different flavor.
• Greek yogurt — Opt for full-fat Greek yogurt for a creamier and richer tzatziki sauce.
• Fresh herbs — If you don't have fresh herbs available, you can use dried herbs instead. However, reduce the quantity by half as dried herbs are more potent.

Tips & Tricks

• For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of ground cinnamon to the meatball mixture.
• To ensure the meatballs stay moist, avoid overmixing the ingredients. Mix until just combined.
• If you prefer a smoother tzatziki sauce, you can strain the grated cucumber to remove excess moisture before adding it to the yogurt.
• Serve the meatballs with warm pita bread or as part of a Greek-inspired salad for a complete meal.
• Leftover meatballs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in a skillet or microwave.

Serving advice

Serve the Greek-inspired meatballs with tzatziki sauce as an appetizer, main course, or part of a mezze platter. Accompany them with warm pita bread, a side of Greek salad, and olives for a complete Greek dining experience.

Presentation advice

Arrange the meatballs on a platter, garnish with fresh herbs, and serve the tzatziki sauce in a small bowl on the side. For an elegant touch, you can sprinkle some paprika or drizzle olive oil over the meatballs before serving.