Description
This recipe for The Softest and Juiciest Greek Meatballs in Lemon Sauce is an absolute must-try if you’re craving a comforting Mediterranean dish with bold flavor and tender texture. These Greek meatballs—also known as keftedes—are lightly pan-fried, then gently simmered in a velvety lemon sauce that’s tangy, rich, and full of warmth. It’s a perfect choice for quick dinner ideas, easy recipes for meal prep, or a cozy weekend family meal. Whether you’re looking for food ideas that are satisfying yet refreshing, or you’re after a healthy snack turned dinner hero, this easy Greek meatball recipe brings it all to the table.
Ingredients
500g ground beef
500g ground pork
1 onion, finely grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 eggs
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil (for frying)
2 tbsp flour (for dusting)
2 tbsp flour (for sauce)
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp butter
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, grated onion, garlic, eggs, breadcrumbs, milk, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until combined.
2. Wet your hands and shape the mixture into small oval meatballs. Lightly dust each with flour and place on a tray.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry meatballs in batches until browned on all sides, about 6–8 minutes. Set aside.
4. In the same pan, reduce heat. Add 2 tablespoons of flour and cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly.
5. Slowly pour in the broth while whisking to create a smooth sauce base.
6. Add lemon juice and butter. Continue to whisk until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes glossy.
7. Return meatballs to the sauce, cover, and simmer on low for 15–20 minutes until fully cooked.
8. Serve hot with parsley garnish and your favorite side like rice or mashed potatoes.
Notes
Wet your hands before forming the meatballs for easier shaping.
Don’t skip the flour—it thickens the sauce and gives the meatballs a nice crust.
Use a meat blend with some fat for extra juiciness (like 80/20 ground beef).
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: Greek meatballs, lemon sauce, easy dinner, Mediterranean recipe, meatball recipe