Keftedes (Greek Meatballs)

AuthorJulia ForesekCategory, , DifficultyBeginner
Yields4 Servings
Prep Time20 minsCook Time25 minsTotal Time45 mins
 1 pound ground beef or lamb (or a combination of both)
 1 small onion, finely grated or chopped
 2 cloves garlic, minced
 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
 1/4 cup milk
 1 egg, beaten
 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
 1/4 cup fresh mint, finely chopped
 1 teaspoon dried oregano
 1 teaspoon ground cumin
 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
 Salt and black pepper to taste
 Flour, for dusting
 Olive oil, for frying
 Lemon wedges, for serving
1

Prepare the Meatball Mixture:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, grated onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, milk, beaten egg, parsley, mint, oregano, cumin, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.

2

Shape the Meatballs:

With wet hands, take small portions of the mixture and roll them into 1-inch balls. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet or plate.

3

Dust with Flour:

Lightly dust each meatball with flour, shaking off any excess. This helps create a nice crust when frying.

4

Fry the Meatballs:

In a large skillet, heat enough olive oil to cover the bottom of the pan over medium-high heat.
Add the meatballs in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry them until they are golden brown and cooked through, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking. This should take about 8-10 minutes per batch.

5

Drain and Serve:

Once cooked, transfer the meatballs to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
Serve the Keftedes warm, garnished with lemon wedges for squeezing over the top.

Ingredients

 1 pound ground beef or lamb (or a combination of both)
 1 small onion, finely grated or chopped
 2 cloves garlic, minced
 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
 1/4 cup milk
 1 egg, beaten
 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
 1/4 cup fresh mint, finely chopped
 1 teaspoon dried oregano
 1 teaspoon ground cumin
 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
 Salt and black pepper to taste
 Flour, for dusting
 Olive oil, for frying
 Lemon wedges, for serving

Directions

1

Prepare the Meatball Mixture:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, grated onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, milk, beaten egg, parsley, mint, oregano, cumin, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.

2

Shape the Meatballs:

With wet hands, take small portions of the mixture and roll them into 1-inch balls. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet or plate.

3

Dust with Flour:

Lightly dust each meatball with flour, shaking off any excess. This helps create a nice crust when frying.

4

Fry the Meatballs:

In a large skillet, heat enough olive oil to cover the bottom of the pan over medium-high heat.
Add the meatballs in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry them until they are golden brown and cooked through, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking. This should take about 8-10 minutes per batch.

5

Drain and Serve:

Once cooked, transfer the meatballs to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
Serve the Keftedes warm, garnished with lemon wedges for squeezing over the top.

Keftedes (Greek Meatballs)
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