In the realm of culinary traditions, Greek cuisine stands out with its vibrant flavors and rich history. Among its many beloved dishes, keftedes, also known as Greek meatballs, hold a special place in the hearts of food enthusiasts worldwide. These bite-sized morsels of seasoned minced meat, expertly crafted and cooked to perfection, embody the essence of Greek cuisine. Join us on a culinary adventure as we delve into the world of keftedes, exploring the delectable variations and uncovering the secrets behind their irresistible charm. From classic beef and lamb meatballs to unique vegetarian and seafood options, this article presents a collection of keftedes recipes that cater to diverse tastes and dietary preferences. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary journey, these recipes will guide you through the process of creating authentic Greek meatballs that will tantalize your taste buds and transport you to the sun-kissed shores of Greece.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
GREEK MEATBALLS RECIPE (KEFTEDES/ KEFTETHES)
A crispy, juicy and absolutely delicious Greek meatballs (keftedes) recipe! Keftedes is a famous Greek appetizer, commonly served as part of a meze platter, with some creamy tzatziki sauce and pita breads. Find out how to make it to perfection with this traditional Greek recipe.
Provided by Eli K. Giannopoulos
Categories Appetizer
Time 1h30m
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- To prepare this traditional Greek meatballs recipe (keftedes), add all the ingredients into a large bowl and mix well (for about 5-10 minutes), squeezing with your hands, to allow the flavours to blend. Cover the bowl with some plastic wrap and let it rest in the fridge for 1 hour.
- Turn the mixture for the keftedes out of the fridge and roll into meatballs the size of a walnut (or bigger if you prefer). If you're frying them, dredge the rolled meatballs lightly in flour making sure to shake off any excess. Fry until nicely browned on all sides.
- The traditional way of cooking Greek meatballs (keftedes) is frying them. Fry the keftedes in batches of 10-15 at a time, until nicely browned on all sides.
- Instead of frying you can bake / grill the keftedes in the oven. Preheat the oven at 200C, place the un-floured keftedes on greased baking sheet about an inch apart. Bake for about 20 minutes, turning the meatballs upside down midway through cooking time. The grilled version is much lighter than the fried so theres not excuse to not trying it now!
- Keftedes (Greek meatballs) are ideally served as an appetizer (meze) with some creamy tzatziki sauce and pita breads or as a main course with some basmati rice and a Greek salad. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 piece, Calories 63kcal, Sugar 0.3g, Sodium 91.2mg, Fat 2.8g, SaturatedFat 0.8g, UnsaturatedFat 1.7g, TransFat 0g, Carbohydrate 4.7g, Fiber 0.3g, Protein 4.5g, Cholesterol 15.8mg
KOFTEDES GREEK MEATBALLS
All-star keftedes Greek meatballs recipe. Tender on the inside, crispy on the outside. Flavor-packed with fresh mint, spices and a lemony Greek sauce!
Provided by The Mediterranean Dish
Categories Entree
Time 35m
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- If serving in bowls as suggested in this post, first prepare the Greek salad according to this recipe (dress salad later, if you prefer) and Tzatziki sauce according to this recipe. Set aside or refrigerate for now.
- In a large skillet like this one, heat 2 tbsp Private Reserve olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook until golden and translucent, stirring regularly. Transfer the onions and garlic mixture to a large mixing bowl to cool. Set skillet aside for later.
- Wring the excess milk out of the soaked bread. Add the bread to the mixing bowl.
- To the mixing bowl add the ground beef and lamb (or pork), 1 egg, fresh mint, spices, salt and pepper, and 1 tbsp lemon zest. Mix by hand until until mixture is fully incorporated.
- Form the meat mixture into balls (each the size of a heaping tablespoon.) Roll meatballs into the flour to lightly coat and place them on a large tray for now.
- In the large skillet you used earlier, add 1/4 cup Private Reserve olive oil. Heat over medium-high. Turn heat to medium and add the meatballs to cook (do this in batches if you need to.) Cook meatballs for 10 minutes or so, turning occasionally, until fully cooked and well-crusted on all sides.
- With a slotted spoon, remove meatballs from skillet onto paper towels to drain any excess fat. Meanwhile, carefully discard most of the cooking fat from skillet (best to dump into a tin can until cooled). Return skillet to stove-top over medium heat.
- Whisk the 1 egg yolk with the chicken broth and lemon juice. Add to cooking skillet with the remaining lemon zest, then add the meatballs back in. Cook over medium heat for another 5 minutes until the lemon sauce thickens.
- Serve hot in bowls with pita bread, Greek salad and Tzatziki sauce. Or serve in pita pockets as sandwiches, if you prefer.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 4 meatballs, Calories 134 calories, Sugar 5.8 g, Sodium 188.9 mg, Fat 6.2 g, SaturatedFat 2.4 g, TransFat 0.1 g, Carbohydrate 8.9 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 11.5 g, Cholesterol 49.7 mg
KEFTEDES: GREEK MEATBALLS
Steps:
- Dunk bread quickly in milk and press the liquid out to dampen the bread.
- Combine the beef, bread, onion, garlic, oregano, mint, vinegar, eggs, nutmeg, salt, and pepper in a bowl and mix well. Take a large spoon of the mixture and roll into a ball until all the mixture has been rolled.
- In a saute pan, add the olive oil and bring it to 360-degrees F for frying. Dust the balls in flour and add to the oil. Brown on all sides, leaving room in the pan to roll them around. Pull from the pan and drain on paper towels.
- Serve with pita and cucumber yogurt sauce.
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
KEFTEDES (MEATBALLS)
Provided by Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 1h25m
Yield 2 to 3 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Put the ground beef in a large bowl and add the grated onion and bread. Mix thoroughly, being careful not to overmix. Add the eggs, mint, oregano, salt and pepper and mix thoroughly. Be careful not to overmix.
- Refrigerate the meatball mixture for 30 minutes. Form into golf ball-size meatballs, flatten and coat both sides lightly with flour. In batches, fry the meatballs over medium to medium-high heat in a large pan with the oil until golden brown and cooked through, 2-5 minutes per side.
MARGARET'S KEFTEDES (GREEK MEATBALLS)
This is my yia yia's recipe--a family favorite straight from the village of Kyparissia. Serve as an appetizer or with tzatziki, Greek salata, and pita or pasta for a full meal. They taste best served at room temp and make for wonderful leftovers. If you don't care for lamb, try using all beef instead.
Provided by Shandeen Gemanis
Categories Greek Recipes
Time 55m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Moisten the bread pieces with the milk in a large bowl, and set aside. Mince the garlic in a food processor, then add the onion, mint, salt, and pepper. Process until the onion is finely chopped. Add the onion mixture to the bowl with the moist bread, along with the beef, lamb, and eggs. Mix with your hands until thoroughly blended.
- Roll the mixture into balls measuring 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter. Place the flour in a shallow pan, and roll the balls in the flour to coat. Shake off any excess flour, and place the meatballs onto a plate or baking sheet, pressing to flatten slightly. This will keep them from rolling away.
- Heat 1 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs, 8 or 10 at a time, and cook until nicely browned on the outside, and no longer pink in the center, about 10 minutes; drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with remaining meatballs.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 521.6 calories, Carbohydrate 28.6 g, Cholesterol 259.1 mg, Fat 31.5 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 29.7 g, SaturatedFat 9.1 g, Sodium 892.6 mg, Sugar 3 g
Tips:
- Use high-quality ground beef. This will ensure that your keftedes are juicy and flavorful. Look for ground beef that is at least 80% lean.
- Don't overmix the meatball mixture. Overmixing will make the keftedes tough. Mix the ingredients just until they are combined.
- Use a light touch when forming the meatballs. Don't pack the meat mixture too tightly, or the keftedes will be dense and dry.
- Cook the keftedes over medium heat. This will help them cook evenly without burning.
- Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking the keftedes. This will prevent them from cooking evenly.
- Serve the keftedes with a simple sauce. A classic Greek tzatziki sauce is a great option.
Conclusion:
Margaret's keftedes are a delicious and easy-to-make Greek dish. They are perfect for a weeknight meal or a party appetizer. You can serve them with a variety of sauces, including tzatziki, marinara, or even just a simple lemon wedge and some olive oil, and accompany them with a side of rice, potatoes, or vegetables. With their tender, juicy interiors and crispy, flavorful exteriors, these keftedes are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them.
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