Greek-style Lamb Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) ground lamb 500g (1.1 lb) ground lamb
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup olive oil (for frying) 1/4 cup 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 garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories: 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat: 24g (9g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 7g (1g sugars)
• Protein: 20g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.8g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the ground lamb, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, parsley, mint, oregano, 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 the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches and cook for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are browned and cooked through.
4. 4.
   Meanwhile, prepare the Tzatziki sauce by combining the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, chopped dill, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix well until smooth and creamy.
5. 5.
   Serve the Greek-style Lamb Meatballs with the Tzatziki sauce on the side for dipping or drizzle the sauce over the meatballs. Garnish with additional fresh herbs, if desired.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground lamb — Make sure to use lean ground lamb for a healthier option. If you prefer a stronger flavor, you can mix ground lamb with ground beef in equal proportions.
• Greek yogurt — Opt for full-fat Greek yogurt to achieve a creamy and rich Tzatziki sauce. If you prefer a lighter version, you can use low-fat Greek yogurt.

Tips & Tricks

• For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of ground cinnamon or cumin to the meatball mixture.
• If you don't have fresh herbs, you can use dried herbs instead, but reduce the quantity by half.
• To make the meatballs juicier, you can add a tablespoon of olive oil to the meatball mixture.
• If you prefer a smoother Tzatziki sauce, you can strain the grated cucumber before adding it to the yogurt.
• These meatballs can be served as a main course with a side of Greek salad and pita bread, or as an appetizer with toothpicks for dipping.

Serving advice

Serve the Greek-style Lamb Meatballs with Tzatziki sauce as a main course accompanied by a fresh Greek salad, warm pita bread, and lemon wedges. Alternatively, they can be served as an appetizer with toothpicks for easy dipping.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Greek-style Lamb Meatballs on a platter, garnished with fresh herbs such as parsley and mint. Place a bowl of Tzatziki sauce in the center for dipping. Serve with lemon wedges on the side for an extra burst of citrus flavor.