Greek Cocktail Meatballs Keftethes

Transport your taste buds to the Mediterranean with these irresistible Greek Cocktail Meatballs, or Keftethes. Made with a savory blend of ground beef or lamb, fragrant fresh herbs like parsley and mint, and the delicate tang of crumbled feta cheese, these perfectly seasoned bites are a true celebration of traditional Greek flavors. Infused with aromatic spices like cumin and oregano, these tender, bite-sized meatballs are seared to golden perfection in olive oil for an irresistibly crisp exterior. Ideal as a party appetizer or a crowd-pleasing snack, they pair beautifully with creamy tzatziki sauce or a refreshing squeeze of lemon. Ready in under an hour, this recipe is quick, flavorful, and sure to elevate your next gathering.

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 500 g Ground beef or lamb
• 1 medium Onion, finely grated
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp Fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp Fresh mint, finely chopped
• 1 large Egg
• 60 g Breadcrumbs
• 50 g Feta cheese, crumbled
• 1 tsp Dried oregano
• 0.5 tsp Ground cumin
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 3 tbsp Olive oil, for frying

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef or lamb, grated onion, minced garlic, parsley, mint, egg, breadcrumbs, feta cheese, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper.

Step 2

Using clean hands, mix the ingredients thoroughly until they are evenly combined but avoid over-mixing to keep the meatballs tender.

Step 3

Cover the mixture and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and make it easier to shape the meatballs.

Step 4

Remove the mixture from the fridge and begin shaping small cocktail-sized meatballs, about the size of a walnut. You should have approximately 30-35 meatballs depending on the size.

Step 5

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the meatballs in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.

Step 6

Fry the meatballs for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown on all sides and cooked through. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 7

Repeat with remaining meatballs, adding more oil to the skillet if necessary.

Step 8

Serve the Greek cocktail meatballs warm with tzatziki sauce or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(855.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2151.1

Total Fat 163.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 55.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0g
Cholesterol 661.2mg	0%
Sodium 4350.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 66.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 6.1g	0%
Total Sugars 10.5g
Protein 110.3g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 495.5mg	0%
Iron 20.5mg	0%
Potassium 1835.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 67.4%

Protein: 20.3%

Carbs: 12.3%