Authentic Greek Meatballs Recipe - The European Dish (2024)

The European Dish

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Authentic, old-fashioned Greek meatballs recipe with spices and potatoes. Requires no deep frying, can be made even in an air fryer. These delicious Greek meatballs are well known in Cyprus and Turkey as well. They are quick to make on a weekday and go well with all sorts of sauces and dips.

Authentic Greek Meatballs Recipe - The European Dish (1)

One of my favorite things to cook on a busy workday is meatballs. They are quick, easy and the kids love them. The special thing here are the shredded potatoes and spices that make the taste unique. If your kids (or yourself) do not like onions in their meatballs, you can just skip or mince them very finely with the kitchen robot, so no one knows what they really are (like I sometimes do).

This Greek Meatballs recipe as you can imagine is not the only one Greeks make. In fact, each family has it’s own variations. Some add cinnamon, which frankly my family didn’t like. Some deep fry them in vegetable oil, other make them with more/less potatoes. It’s all up to taste. hope you like my version as much as we do.

HOW TO MAKE GREEK MEATBALLS

Making these Greek Meatballs is so easy. Just shred potatoes, squeeze the water as much as possible. Then combine all, shape meatballs, roll in flour and cook as preferred. Personally, I do not deep fry. Instead, I add a little vegetable oil in the pan, place meatballs in and then put a lid on for the duration of cooking. Shake the pan a few times to rotate the meatballs and cook them on all sides if you decide to go with my method.

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Authentic Greek Meatballs Recipe - The European Dish (3)
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Serve warm with desired sauce, salad or side. I highly recommend pairing these potatoes with simple tomato sauce or my Mediterranean Olive Zucchini Couscous salad recipe. Then you’ll have a truly Greek dinner on the table.

TIPS:

1. To avoid deep frying cover a non-stick pan with lid and let meatballs cook in their own sauce and some olive oil.

2. Roll meatballs in flour to create a crispier outer layer.

3. Cook in air fryer by placing an air fryer sheet on the bottom to avoid meatballs sticking to the basket.

4. Squeeze the ‘potato water’ well before adding to the mix.

WATCH HOW TO MAKE GREEK MEATBALLS:

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  • French Brioche Braided Bread
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Authentic Greek Meatballs Recipe - The European Dish (7)

Authentic Greek Meatballs Recipe - The European Dish (8)

Authentic Greek Meatballs Recipe

The European Dish

Authentic Greek meatballs recipe with potatoes, mint leaves and ground meat. These easy oval shaped meatballs are also popular in Cyprus and Turkey. They can be pan fried, oven baked or prepared in air fryer as well. Greek Meatballs go well with tomato sauce or béchamel sauce.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Greek, Mediterranean

Servings 4 people

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 3 medium potatoes finely grated
  • 1 onion red
  • 1 egg medium
  • 60 g breadcrumbs
  • 400 g ground meat turkey/beef/lamb/pork
  • 1 tbsp. mint dried
  • 1 tbsp. parsley dried or fresh
  • 1 tsp. cumin powder
  • 4-6 tbsp. vegetable oil for frying (like sunflower or peanut oil)
  • 5-7 tbsp. all purpose flour for rolling meatballs in

Instructions

  • Wash potatoes under cold water and peel skin off. Then, grate each potato on a fine grater. Squeeze as much 'potato water' as possible.

  • In a large mixing bowl add all ingredients and combine. Then, with wet hands start making oval-shaped meatballs and set aside.

  • Dip each meatball in the flour ( I put the flour in a pot) and cover with flour on all sides.

  • Preheat non-stick frying pan and add vegetable oil. Place meatballs in the pan and cover with a lid (that makes meatballs softer and juicer at the end). Cook on medium heat. In about 5-10 minutes, roll each meatball to cook on each side.

  • Serve hot, with a sauce or a side of choice.

Keyword air fryer, healthy, no deep frying, paleo, quick and easy dinner

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Authentic Greek Meatballs Recipe - The European Dish (2024)

FAQs

What is a greek meatball made of? ›

Ground meat: I use a combination of lean ground beef and ground lamb or pork. Egg: 1 egg goes into the meatball mixture, and we use an egg yolk to thicken the lemon sauce at the end. Herbs: Fresh mint brightens the recipe while dried oregano provides an earthy element.

What do they call meatballs in Europe? ›

In France, meatballs are known as boulettes de viande or (in Northern France) fricadelles. They can be made of beef, veal, pork or fish. In Alsace, meatballs are known as Fleischkiechele. They are made of beef, pork, onions, bacon, eggs, and bread.

How are meatballs served in Italy? ›

In most regions, meatballs are just fried and eaten as is—enjoyed as a snack or served as a second course without any sauce.

What's the difference between Swedish and Finnish meatballs? ›

"Finnish meatballs are meatier and bigger than Swedish meatballs. They are also served with lingonberry jam and boiled/mashed potatoes, and a gravy, but they are juicier and yummier.

What are authentic meatballs made of? ›

Ground beef, pork and veal are the most common choices in Italy when making meatballs. Some prefer just one, others a mix. It's really up to you. We definitely recommend staying away from chicken or turkey, though.

What country is famous for meatballs? ›

Meatballs are as quintessentially Swedish as it gets. In their most traditional form Swedish meatballs ('köttbullar') are made of ground pork and beef, cream, egg and onion, and are served with creamy mashed potatoes, a thick, brown gravy, lingonberry jam and pickled cucumber.

What are the three dots called meatballs? ›

The term "meatballs menu" is a colloquial name derived from the visual appearance of the three dots, which somewhat resemble meatballs stacked on top of each other. It's a fun and informal way to refer to this type of menu.

What's the difference between Italian style meatballs and regular meatballs? ›

Italian-style meatballs often include additional ingredients such as milk, olive oil, ground pork, fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, Italian herb seasoning, and sometimes a combination of ground beef, veal, and pork [2].

What pasta do Italians eat with meatballs? ›

Polpette Al Forno

"Al forno" simply means "baked in an oven," and it's the most customary way you'll find meatballs and pasta in the same dish together in Italy. While spaghetti and meatballs may not be so common, a casserole-style dish of pasta and meatballs certainly is - think baked ziti!

How to make Italian meatballs Jamie Oliver? ›

directions
  1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  2. In a large bown, mix together beef and pork.
  3. In a food processor, process the bread into crumbs, add to meat mixture.
  4. Add seasonings and egg, mix well.
  5. With wet hands roll mixture into balls.
  6. Warm a large saute pan over med. ...
  7. Add 3-4 tablespoons oil to the pan.

Are meatballs Italian or Swedish? ›

The variations of meatballs are actually more than you might think! You probably know the three main types: Italian, American and Swedish meatballs are the most famous ones. But, did you know that there are dozens of variations across Europe and Asia?

What are Icelandic meatballs made of? ›

So, we all know meatballs are made with minced beef. However, there's another version in Iceland that Icelanders swear by meatballs made with sausage meat. The sausage meat is basically the same as in the famous Icelandic hot dogs.

Why do Swedish meatballs taste so good? ›

The Seasoning

While both varieties include ingredients such as grated onion and panade (milk-soaked bread) or bread crumbs, plus the usual salt and pepper, Swedish meatballs traditionally use spices like allspice, nutmeg, white pepper, and sometimes ground ginger as flavoring.

What meat is IKEA meatballs? ›

That's why we've seasoned the beef and pork gently with only a few ingredients, every one of them enhancing the meat flavour even more. Easily prepared from frozen in minutes. In the oven, in the microwave or on the stove. Easily portioned.

What is traditional Greek meat? ›

Greek cuisine features a variety of meat-based dishes made with different types of meat such as lamb, pork, beef, chicken, and sometimes goat. These meats are used in a range of preparations, from grilling and roasting to stewing and braising, creating a diverse selection of flavourful and hearty dishes.

What does Greek cuisine consist of? ›

It uses vegetables, olive oil, grains, fish, and meat, including pork, poultry, veal and beef, lamb, rabbit, and goat. Other important ingredients include pasta (for example hilopites), cheeses, lemon juice, herbs, olives and olive oil, and yogurt.

What are Fontanini meatballs made of? ›

Made from select cuts of beef, pork and a blend of Italian spices, these meatballs are versatile enough to add anywhere on the menu.

What's the difference between a hamburger and a meatball? ›

While they have much in common, the hamburger has traditionally been a fat round dish, thicker in themiddle as they are traditionally made by slapping mince between two hand. Meatballs are round, as are rissoles, and patties round and flat. In the days before mincers, pounding meat was an honourable profession.

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