My Favorite Greek Lamb Meatballs Recipe and Authentic Tzatziki Sauce from My Cooking Class in Greece (2024)

My Favorite Greek Lamb Meatballs Recipe and Authentic Tzatziki Sauce from My Cooking Class in Greece (1)

My Favorite Greek Lamb Meatballs Recipe and Authentic Tzatziki Sauce from My Cooking Class in Greece

ByChristina

April 10, 2020

Cooking, Cooking Around The World, Greece, Greek Isles, Lifestyle, Other Posts, Recipes

14 Comments

17

So I don’t know about you guys but with all this extra time at home in quarantine, I’ve been cooking a ton.Cooking (and baking) has always been a huge de-stressor for me, and one of my favorite things to do for self-care. At the end of a long day spent running two businesses (Jetset Christina and Watercolors Swim!), there’s nothing that relaxes me more than getting in the kitchen and focusing on a recipe.

Food also always reminds me of traveling! A reminder I need now more than ever since we’re all grounded until further notice – seriously, can someone please just tell us when will it be safe to travel again??? I’ve got places to go and flights to book!

But, until then, I’ll be traveling around my kitchen with some fun themed dinner nights around the world. And since Greece was one of my fiancé Kenny and my absolute favorite trips we ever took together, cooking up these Greek meatballs, and pairing them with our favorite crisp white Asyrtiko greek wine, and a delicious chopped greek salad with basil vinaigrette, brings us right back to Santorini.

My Favorite Greek Lamb Meatballs Recipe and Authentic Tzatziki Sauce from My Cooking Class in Greece (2)

This is a lamb meatball recipe I learned while traveling with my mom in Greece after I graduated college. We took a Greek cooking class and it was so much fun! This was my favorite recipe from the class.

Here’s what you’ll need on your shopping list ingredients-wise (exact amounts and instructions below)

Meatballs:

Ground lamb (yum)

Feta cheese – this gives the meatballs their salty, creamy Greek flavor

Shallots or red onion, minced

Semolina or bread crumbsI don’t often have bread crumbs on hand so I toast a 1/4 slice of sourdough toast until it’s dry and crumbly and then create bread crumbs with my hands – which works great!

Italian parsley

Cumin

Ground cinnamon – these spices are key to getting the great flavor in the meatballs you want

Kosher salt or sea salt

Egg

You can alternatively do the same recipe lamb burger patties and put them into a burger (maybe with pita as the bun) if you prefer that over meatballs!

Tzatziki:

Cucumber

Kosher salt or sea salt

Plain Greek yogurt

Garlic, minced

Fresh dill – fresh is key!

Fresh mint – again, fresh is key!

Lemon

Greek Salad:

To make the greek vinaigrette you’ll need:

Fresh basil

Extra virgin olive oil:or any other mild-flavored oil you prefer

Garlic:no need to pre-chop, the food processor will do that step for you

Red wine vinegar:or champagne vinegar, apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar will work as well

Kosher salt and freshly-cracked black pepper

A lemon

My Favorite Greek Lamb Meatballs Recipe and Authentic Tzatziki Sauce from My Cooking Class in Greece (3)

My Favorite Greek Lamb Meatballs Recipe and Authentic Tzatziki Sauce from My Cooking Class in Greece (4)

My Favorite Greek Lamb Meatballs Recipe and Authentic Tzatziki Sauce from My Cooking Class in Greece (5)

DIRECTIONS:

For the Lamb Meatballs:

In a large bowl add ground lamb, crumbled feta cheese, minced shallots, semolina, minced parsley, cumin, cinnamon, salt and beaten egg. You can also add a pinch of allspice for even more spice.

Use your hands to work together the mixture until it’s completely combined (you must use your hands!!!)

Cover and let the combination sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour as the flavors blend together.

After an hour, preheat your oven to 350 degrees and prepare a rimmed baking sheet with a silpat liner or parchment paper.

Roll lamb mixture into 1-1/2 inch sized balls and lay them onto the baking sheet.

Bake for about 20 minutes until the meatballs are slightly crispy on the outside and no longer pink in the inside.

Serve with the tzatziki sauce and greek salad

My Favorite Greek Lamb Meatballs Recipe and Authentic Tzatziki Sauce from My Cooking Class in Greece (6)

Photo via Every Last Bite

For the Tzatziki:

Add shredded cucumber to a strainer, sprinkle with salt and toss to coat evenly.

Let the cucumber sit for about 30 minutes to help get some of the water out of the cucumber. Squish the cucumber against the strainer to get as much water out as possible. If you have a cheesecloth (I never do), then use that to make this step way easier.

In a medium sized mixing bowl add salted cucumber, Greek yogurt, grated garlic, lemon juice, minced dill and minced mint. Stir together to combine. Keep cold until ready to use.

For the Greek Salad:

Wash and chop all ingredients and chill in the refrigerator while you make your vinaigrette.

For the Greek vinaigrette:

Simply combine all of your ingredients in a small food processor, and puree until completely smooth. Be sure to give it a taste, and season with extra salt and pepper (or a little extra lemon) if needed.

My Favorite Greek Lamb Meatballs Recipe and Authentic Tzatziki Sauce from My Cooking Class in Greece (7)

Photo by Two Peas and their Pod

What wine goes with greek food?

I’m so glad you asked! If you guys read about our trip to Santorini, you know I have a love affair with a varietal of wine you can ONLY find there – Asyrtiko. It’s crisp, white, refreshing, but well-balanced and DELICIOUS. Sigalas Winery’s Asyrtiko will definitely will help round out your meal with a taste of Greece in every bite – and sip – and you can get my favorite Greek wine online here!

READ MORE: ALL OF JETSET CHRISTINA’S FAVORITE WINES AND WHERE TO FIND THEM ONLINE,

HOW TO ORGANIZE A VIRTUAL WINE TASTING WITH FRIENDS

My Favorite Greek Lamb Meatballs Recipe and Authentic Tzatziki Sauce from My Cooking Class in Greece (8)

Check out these related posts:

The best grilled salmon with mango and avocado salsa

How to do a virtual wine tasting

The best co*cktail recipes from around the world

The best short rib tacos recipe

Best Gifts to Send Someone in Quarantine

The best and cutest loungewear to work from home in

My Coconut milk latte recipe

The Best Healthy Snacks for Working from Home

15 of the best wine glasses you need in your life right now

Here’s how to buy a face mask for covid-19

The best retail sales going on right now

Should you book future travel right now? When can we travel again?

Bora Bora vs. The Maldives

Jetset Christina’s Best Wines to Drink in Quarantine

The Best Clean Skincare Brands

The Best Travel Credit Cards

Post Tags:

authentic greek lamb meatballsbest lamb meatballs recipebest tzatziki sauce recipecookinggreece dinner recipesgreek cooking class recipeGreek food recipesgreek meatballs recipegreek recipesgreek salad recipegreek vinaigrette recipehow to make lamb meatballsjetset recipeslamb meatballsrecipeswhat wine goes with greek foodwine recommendations for lamb meatballs

My Favorite Greek Lamb Meatballs Recipe and Authentic Tzatziki Sauce from My Cooking Class in Greece (2024)

FAQs

What does Greek tzatziki sauce taste like? ›

Some might think of this dip as something similar to sour cream, but if you're wondering what tzatziki tastes like, it is slightly tangy, garlicky, and cool due to the use of cucumber and fresh herbs.

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 you do with tzatziki sauce? ›

Tzatziki is good friends with grilled and roasted meats, especially juicy lamb chops. Serve it up with a crunchy fattoush salad – a combination of torn pitta, cooling cucumber, ripe tomatoes, sweet lettuce and refreshing mint – for a bonus hit of fresh, summer flavour.

What do Greeks eat with tzatziki? ›

Traditionally, tzatziki is served as a dip along with bread for dipping. It is of course an important ingredient in souvlaki and gyros and it is fine to dip any kind of meat in it as well.

How long does tzatziki last in the fridge? ›

Tzatziki will last about four days in the fridge before it starts to go bad. While you can freeze it, it will change a bit in regards to texture and consistency when it comes time to thawing it out.

How do real Italians eat meatballs? ›

Although meatballs cooked in tomato sauce and served with pasta is likely what most Americans first imagine when they think of them, this meatball preparation is virtually nonexistent 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 is a traditional greek dinner? ›

One of the most popular foods in Greece is souvlaki, or grilled chicken cooked on a rotisserie. Most like the chicken you'd get in a kebab shop in the UK, souvlaki is often served by itself with chips and salad or in the form of gyros.

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

American meatballs are the biggest in size, with Italian and Swedish meatballs following on the depth chart. Italian meatballs call for seasonings like grated parmesan and oregano, while Swedish ones use seasonings like nutmeg and allspice. While it doesn't sound like a huge distinction, you'll notice it in the taste!

Can you eat tzatziki everyday? ›

Its blend of yogurt, cucumber, olive oil, garlic, lemon, and herbs delivers key nutrients, which are proposed to support heart health, gut health, and may even lower diabetes risk. If you add tzatziki to your meals, you can boost everyday dishes while savouring the many potential health benefits tzatziki brings.

Is it OK to heat up tzatziki sauce? ›

Can you heat up Tzatziki sauce? Yes, you can serve this sauce warm. Again, I'd leave the cucumbers out after straining to let them get up to room temperature. Meanwhile, add the rest of the sauce ingredients to a saucepan and warm up over medium-low heat until it's warmed all the way through.

Is Greek tzatziki sauce good for you? ›

Tzatziki is a real powerhouse in terms of health benefits. Probiotics, which can aid promote gut health, vitamins A and C, calcium, and phosphorus are all included in this classic Greek meal. Together, these nutrients strengthen your immune system and maintain the health of your bones.

What is lamb meatballs made of? ›

Lamb meatballs are made with a few ingredients ground lamb, red onion, garlic, flat-leaf parsley, mint, egg, panko breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper.

What is the best cut of meat for meatballs? ›

Ground chuck is from the shoulder of the cow. It is rich and tender with plenty of flavor. Often referred to as “lean ground beef,” this is perfect for hamburgers and meatballs.

What kind of meat do Mediterraneans eat? ›

The foundation of the Mediterranean diet is plant foods. That means meals are built around vegetables, fruits, herbs, nuts, beans and whole grains. Moderate amounts of dairy, poultry and eggs are part of the Mediterranean diet, as is seafood. In contrast, red meat is eaten only once in a while.

Does tzatziki taste good? ›

Rich, creamy & full of fresh herbs, it's delicious on pita, grilled veggies, sandwiches, and more!

What does Greek sauce taste like? ›

What does Greek tzatziki sauce taste like? - Quora. Greeks use creamy yougurt, a peeled and minced cucumber, olive oil , vinegar, salt and garlic, and some dill dried seeds, Turks do prefer mint and lemon juice, replacing dill and vinegar for their Cacik. It taste from cucumber and spices in a creamy base.

Is tzatziki sauce better than ranch? ›

Tzatziki is a much healthier choice than ranch dressing. It's lower in calories and fats but still offers key nutrients and vitamins.

Is tzatziki sauce healthy? ›

So, it offers fewer carbohydrates and calories, making it suitable for weight loss. Tzatziki has little fat from yoghurt, milk, or vegetable oil but does not contain many calories. In addition, it is an excellent source of vitamins like vitamin C, vitamin A, and calcium.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Prof. Nancy Dach

Last Updated:

Views: 6444

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Prof. Nancy Dach

Birthday: 1993-08-23

Address: 569 Waelchi Ports, South Blainebury, LA 11589

Phone: +9958996486049

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Web surfing, Scuba diving, Mountaineering, Writing, Sailing, Dance, Blacksmithing

Introduction: My name is Prof. Nancy Dach, I am a lively, joyous, courageous, lovely, tender, charming, open person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.