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Greek Meatballs - Keftedes

Name: Greek Meatballs - Keftedes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 95 min
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 lb ground pork; 8 slices white bread (with the crust cut off.); 2 cups whole milk; 1 large onion (grated. Keep the juices. I usually go for red onions.); 2 cloves garlic (minced.); 1 cup fresh spearmint leaves (finely chopped.); 1 cup fresh parsley (finely chopped.); ½ cup fresh oregano leaves (roughly chopped); 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 tbsp dried oregano; 1 tablespoon dried spearmint (or mint); 2 eggs; 1 tbsp red wine vinegar; 1 tablespoon red chili flakes; 1 shot ouzo (or 1-2 tsp ground aniseed. Optional.); sea salt; freshly ground pepper; 1/2 cup all purpose flour; Extra light olive oil or sunflower oil ()

Last updated June 6, 2022. Originally posted December 1, 2020 By Jenny Skrapaliori-Graves. 37 Comments.

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Greek meatballs or keftedes are often called the national Greek food. These crunchy but fluffy meatballs are delicious with lots of fresh herbs and aromatics. Perfect for a quick snack, a tasty appetizer, or the star of the table.

If you love this meatball recipe try traditional soutzoukakia, low-carb turkey meatballs or the codfish cakes with lemon caper aioli.

A plate with handles full of meatballs bon parchment paper, on the side a tomato sauce, some fries and bread

Why this recipe sings

These keftedes are crunchy and delicious on the outside but soft on the inside. With ground beef and pork, mixed with fresh herbs, like mint, basil, and parsley, as well as a shot of Ouzo, the meatballs are fragrant and tasty. They are fried in light olive oil (can also be baked) and can be enjoyed hot or at room temperature.

Here is what you need

Ground beef & pork. Each cut gives a perfect balance of flavor.
White bread with crust cut off. You can also use brioche bread, it is lovely with this meatball recipe.
Whole milk. To soak the bread.
Onions and garlic. Grated onions add flavor and makes moist juicy metaballs.
Fresh spearmint, parsley and oregano. Herbs give such a lovely summery note to the meatballs. You can substitute the spearmint with mint.
Extra virgin olive oil. Just a tablespoon or two in the mixture.
Eggs.
A little vinegar and a shot of ouzo (optional), the popular alchoholic drink that tastes like licorice. Replace the ouzo with a teaspoon of ground aniseed or omit it from the recipe.
Dried oregano, mint, chili flakes and ground cumin. Dried herbs have a more intense flavor than fresh. I like to use both versions.
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper.
All purpose flour. To lightly dust the meatballs. It creates a light crust on the meatballs when fried.

Step by step

A bowl with milk and bread, next to a bowl with ground meat on a wooden block.At the back, onions, eggs and herbs.

Soak the bread in the milk.

Carefully squish the bread, so most of the milk is out. It's ok if the bread feels like it still has some milk left over. The goal is to have a moist, fluffy meatball mixture.

A bowl with all the ingredients for greek meatballs.

In a large bowl, add the bread and all the other ingredients.

Add the ouzo shot (my favorite part). Using the ouzo is optional. I love the flavor it gives to the meatballs. You can substitute with 1-2 tsp of ground anise seed or ground star anise.

A bowl with all the ingredients for meatballs mixed together.

Using your clean hands, mix everything, and knead until the mixture is moist and fluffy. Cover the mix with a towel and leave it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. All the flavors will incorporate together well.

I use a small ice-cream scooper, about two tbsp in size, to take some of the mixture and shape it into a ball. You can use a tablespoon or your hands.

Spread some flour on a plate. Run the meatballs in the flour.

Shake off the excess and place them on a clean plate until all your meatballs are ready for frying.

In a deep frying pan, add enough oil to cover ⅔ of the pan. Turn the heat on to high. When the oil is hot, fry meatballs in small doses, about 2 minutes on each side, until golden brown.

Fried meatballs on paper towels on a plate.

Remove from heat with a slotted spoon and arrange them on absorbent paper to drain the excess oil.

A plate with handles full of meatballs bon parchment paper, on the side a tomato sauce and bread.

What to eat with keftedes

In Greece, we usually pair them with homemade fries, steamed greens, or a tomato salad. Add some feta cheese, tzatziki sauce, and a couple of pieces of bread, and you have a traditional Greek meal.

I love to eat keftedes the next day. The use of olive oil allows them to hold well and taste really good at room temperature. I usually grab one (or two :-)) with some pita chips as a snack.

Greek meatballs make a great addition to a Mediterranean meze platter board.

Tips & helpful Q& A

How many meatballs do you serve per person?

I use a small ice-cream scooper, about two tbsp size, to shape one meatball, so 4 or 5 keftedes are enough for one person.

Can I make these meatballs in the oven?

Yes, you can!
Preheat the oven to 350 F/180 C. Place meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. The parchment paper ensures that the meatballs do not stick to the baking sheet, making clean up really easy. Brush them generously with olive oil and bake for 20-25 minutes or until browned. The frying method is the traditional way, and the meatballs are a little juicier.

How do I know my meatballs are seasoned correctly?

I like to do a seasoning test before I shape all my meatballs. I create just one ball, roll it in the flour, and fry it. I taste it to check if I need to add more salt to my mix. Under-seasoning can be an easy miss. One more benefit to this test is knowing how long I need to fry the meatballs to achieve the perfect crispy outside and juicy inside.

What oil is the best for frying Greek meatballs?

Because I love the flavor the olive oil gives to the meatballs, I get the extra light olive oil for frying. But it is not necessary and can be costly. You can use sunflower oil or the vegetable oil of your choice.

Can I freeze them?

Yes, they freeze really well. I like to shape them, arrange them on a baking sheet then into the freezer until they are hard for about one hour. I transfer the frozen meatballs into a large-sized freezer-safe bag, seal it, remove as much air as possible and place it back in the freezer. They are freezer-safe for up to three to four months.

Can I mix using a spoon?

Always use your hands to mix them. With a light touch, your hands will incorporate all of the ingredients without crushing the meat. You don't want to over-mix.
When it is time to roll the meatballs, lightly oil your hands. The oil will make it easier to roll, and the mixture will not stick to your hands. Alternatively, you can lightly wet your hands.