Greek Meatball Bowl (Mediterranean Keftedes Bowl)
Greek Meatball Bowl (Mediterranean Keftedes Bowl)
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 500 g ground beef or lamb, (or chicken/turkey for lighter version)
- 1 red onion, small, finely grated or minced
- 3 garlic cloves, to 4, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs, (or oats for a healthier option)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, for cooking
For the Bowl
- 2 cups cooked rice, white, brown, or basmati
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup olives, optional
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
For the Tzatziki
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cucumber, grated and excess water squeezed out
- 1 garlic cloves, to 2, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- salt, to taste
Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, combine the ground meat (beef, lamb, chicken, or turkey), finely grated or minced red onion, minced garlic cloves, chopped fresh parsley, fresh dill (or dried), dried oregano, ground cumin, salt, black pepper, egg, and breadcrumbs (or oats). Mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the mixture.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Roll the meat mixture into small meatballs, approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inches in size.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Cook the meatballs for 10 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are browned and fully cooked through. Alternatively, you can bake the meatballs at 200°C (400°F) for 18 to 20 minutes.
⏱️ 12 min•🌡️ 200
- 4
While the meatballs are cooking, prepare the tzatziki. In a bowl, mix the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber (with excess water squeezed out), minced garlic cloves, olive oil, lemon juice, fresh dill (or dried), and salt to taste. Chill the tzatziki until ready to serve.
⏱️ 8 min
- 5
Add the cooked rice (white, brown, or basmati) to individual serving bowls.
⏱️ 1 min
- 6
Top the rice with the cooked meatballs. Arrange the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, olives (if using), and crumbled feta cheese around the meatballs and rice.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Drizzle generously with the prepared tzatziki. Optionally, drizzle with a little extra olive oil before serving.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Greek Meatball Bowl (Mediterranean Keftedes Bowl)
For the Meatballs
- 500 g ground beef or lamb, (or chicken/turkey for lighter version)
- 1 red onion, small, finely grated or minced
- 3 garlic cloves, to 4, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs, (or oats for a healthier option)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, for cooking
For the Bowl
- 2 cups cooked rice, white, brown, or basmati
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup olives, optional
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
For the Tzatziki
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cucumber, grated and excess water squeezed out
- 1 garlic cloves, to 2, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- salt, to taste
Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, combine the ground meat (beef, lamb, chicken, or turkey), finely grated or minced red onion, minced garlic cloves, chopped fresh parsley, fresh dill (or dried), dried oregano, ground cumin, salt, black pepper, egg, and breadcrumbs (or oats). Mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the mixture.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Roll the meat mixture into small meatballs, approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inches in size.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Cook the meatballs for 10 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are browned and fully cooked through. Alternatively, you can bake the meatballs at 200°C (400°F) for 18 to 20 minutes.
⏱️ 12 min•🌡️ 200 - 4
While the meatballs are cooking, prepare the tzatziki. In a bowl, mix the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber (with excess water squeezed out), minced garlic cloves, olive oil, lemon juice, fresh dill (or dried), and salt to taste. Chill the tzatziki until ready to serve.
⏱️ 8 min - 5
Add the cooked rice (white, brown, or basmati) to individual serving bowls.
⏱️ 1 min - 6
Top the rice with the cooked meatballs. Arrange the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, olives (if using), and crumbled feta cheese around the meatballs and rice.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Drizzle generously with the prepared tzatziki. Optionally, drizzle with a little extra olive oil before serving.
⏱️ 1 min