Description
Experience the tender and flavorful Greek meatballs paired with a bright and zesty lemon sauce that elevates every bite. Perfect for family dinners or impressing guests, this dish is a true celebration of flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
- 1 finely chopped onion
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
- the zest of one lemon
- 1 beaten egg
- salt
- pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- the juice and zest of 2 lemons
- 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, fresh breadcrumbs, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped fresh parsley, chopped fresh mint, lemon zest, and beaten egg. Season generously with salt and pepper. Mix until just combined; don't overwork the meat.
- Using your hands, shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. This recipe should yield around 20-24 meatballs.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the meatballs for about 20-25 minutes until they are browned and cooked through, turning them halfway through for even cooking. You can also pan-fry them in a skillet over medium heat if you prefer a crispier exterior.
- In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Pour in chicken or vegetable broth, the juice and zest of 2 lemons, and honey or agave syrup. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 5-10 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Once the meatballs are cooked, carefully transfer them to the sauce. Let them simmer in the sauce for an additional 5-10 minutes to absorb all the wonderful flavors.
- Serve the meatballs over rice, couscous, or with a side of crusty bread, drizzling the lemon sauce generously over the top. Garnish with additional fresh herbs if desired.
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball with sauce
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Don’t overmix the meatball mixture to avoid tough meatballs. Refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes before shaping for better hold. Test for seasoning by cooking a small piece before baking.