Greek Style Meatballs with Tzatziki & Herbed Rice
Juicy, herbed Greek meatballs paired with fragrant herbed rice and creamy tzatziki sauce — this dish captures the essence of Greek comfort food. It’s light yet hearty, bursting with lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs. Perfect for a balanced, protein-packed Mediterranean meal!
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Ingredients
For the Greek Meatballs
500 g (1 lb) ground beef, lamb, or turkey
1 small onion, finely grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp breadcrumbs
1 egg
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tbsp chopped mint
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp ground cumin
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
For the Tzatziki Sauce
½ cup Greek yogurt
¼ cup cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
1 small garlic clove, minced
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp olive oil
½ tsp dried dill or 1 tsp fresh dill
Salt, to taste
For the Herbed Rice
1 cup basmati or long-grain white rice
2 cups water or broth
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tbsp chopped parsley
1 tbsp chopped dill or mint
Salt, to taste
Instructions
1. Prepare the Tzatziki
In a bowl, mix yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, dill, and salt.
Stir well and refrigerate to chill while you cook.
2. Cook the Herbed Rice
Rinse rice under cold water until clear.
In a saucepan, heat olive oil and add rice. Stir for 1–2 minutes.
Add water (or broth) and salt; bring to a boil.
Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, then stir in lemon zest, parsley, and dill.
3. Make the Meatballs
In a large bowl, mix ground meat, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, herbs, and spices until just combined.
Shape into small balls (about 1½ inches).
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Add meatballs and cook for 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
(Alternatively, bake at 400°F / 200°C for 18–20 minutes.)
4. Assemble the Plate
Spoon herbed rice onto a plate or bowl.
Top with warm Greek meatballs.
Add a generous dollop of tzatziki on the side.
Garnish with lemon wedges and fresh herbs.
Notes & Tips
You can mix beef and lamb for authentic Greek flavor.
For a light version, use ground turkey and bake the meatballs.
Add a small Greek salad (cucumber, tomato, olive, feta) for a complete meal.
Tzatziki improves in flavor if made 1 hour ahead.
Nutritional Information
Calories: ~550 kcal
Protein: 36 g
Carbohydrates: 42 g
Fat: 24 g
Fiber: 3 g