Healthy Greek Meatballs

We are obsessed with these Healthy Greek Meatballs, also called Keftedes, and they have been a constant menu item when we crave takeout. Serve them stuffed in warm pita bread, in salads and rice bowls, or make a mezze platter with hummus, tzatziki, Greek salad, and toasted pita.

I am always down for a good meatball, and these Greek Meatballs might just be my new favorite. They are packed with garlic, lemon zest, oregano, and plenty of fresh parsley, making for a light and fresh meatball that is full of flavor. These Chicken Feta Meatballs are also so good.

Plus, they are easy to make and versatile! Use ground beef, turkey, lamb, or chicken. Make them with fresh or dried spices. Pair them with different sides to make an easy dinner everyone loves. 

Why You'll Love These Healthy Greek Meatballs

There are so many reasons to love these healthy meatballs.

• 30 Minute Meal: This meal is truly quick and easy. Combine everything in a large bowl, scoop or shape into meatballs, and bake or pan-fry in a hot skillet. While the meatballs cook, prep your sides, and dinner is ready.
• Versatile: These meatballs can be served in so many different ways! They're perfect for pita sandwiches, delicious salads, appetizer plates, grain bowls, and more.
• Bright, fresh flavors: While normal meatballs can feel heavy, these meatballs are light, healthy, and packed with bright flavors from lemon zest and fresh parsley. 

Looking for more healthy meatball recipes? Try these tasty Spinach Meatballs, Baked Turkey Meatballs, or Turkish Kofta Meatballs.

Ingredients and Easy Substitutions

Here is everything you need to make these delicious meatballs.

• Ground beef: Traditionally, Greek meatballs are made with ground beef, ground lamb, or a combination of the two. Ground lamb gives the meatballs that deeply savory flavor typically associated with Greek kabobs. However, you can also use ground chicken, ground turkey, or ground pork. 
• Egg: Adding an egg to the meatballs helps bind the ingredients and lighten the texture. 
• Lemon: Fresh lemon zest is the key to making these meatballs bright and fresh. Adjust the amount to taste. You can skip it or swap in lemon pepper if you prefer.
• Parsley: Fresh parsley adds so much flavor to these meatballs. Sometimes, I add other fresh herbs like chopped mint, dill, cilantro, basil, or oregano. Swap in dried parsley if that's all you have.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic provides the most intense flavor, but you could also use minced garlic, frozen garlic cubes, or garlic powder.
• Spices: For more Greek-inspired flavor, add dried oregano, kosher salt, cumin, black pepper, coriander, and a touch of allspice. 
• Optional additions: If you prefer lighter meatballs and don't need them to be gluten-free, consider adding some breadcrumbs or soaked white bread to your meatballs.

How to Make Healthy Meatballs

These meatballs come together in just a few simple steps and can be baked in the oven or cooked in a hot skillet.

1. Make the Meatballs

Combine the ground beef, eggs, lemon zest, parsley, garlic, and spices in a large bowl. Use your hands to gently combine the ingredients, being careful not to overmix the meat, which can make it tough. 

Then, gently shape the mixture into meatballs using your hands or an ice cream/cookie scoop. Please do not press the meatballs or pack them densely. Since these meatballs don't heave breadcrumbs, they can be very dense if you compact the meat too much. 

2. Bake in the Oven

If you plan on baking the meatballs in the oven, ensure the oven is preheated to 400 degrees. Arrange the meatballs on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper or cooking spray. Bake for 18-20 minutes until they are cooked through. 

If you are using higher-fat beef or ground lamb, consider baking the meatballs on a wire rack so the extra fat can drip down. Do not to overcook the meatballs and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.

3. Cook in a Skillet

If you prefer to pan-fry the meatballs, heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Drizzle with olive oil. Add a single layer of meatballs and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Cook to your desired doneness, anywhere from medium to well done. 

Pro tip: When I make pan-fried meatballs, I try to make the meatballs on the small side so they cook quickly without burning on the outside edges. 

How to Serve Healthy Greek Meatballs

There are many ways to serve these meatballs, from sandwiches to grain bowls to salads. Here are the ones I reach for most often.

• Mezze platter: For the best mezze-style meal, grab some pita bread, make a big batch of Israeli salad, and layer on some hummus and/or tzatziki sauce.
• Rice bowls: Start with brown rice, cauliflower rice, or quinoa. Add the meatballs, greens, chopped veggies, and feta cheese, Finish with some lemon juice and Greek yogurt.
• Salad: Pile up some crunchy greens, like Romaine, add the Greek Meatballs and veggies like tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion. Throw in some olives and feta cheese for a twist on Greek Salad. Add chickpeas for a heartier dish.
• Pasta: Make a Greek-style pasta dish by creating a sauce with sauteed olive oil, garlic, artichoke hearts, and roasted red peppers. Add fresh lemon juice to the cooked pasta with the Greek meatballs.
• Lettuce wraps: Make lettuce wraps with butter lettuce, Greek meatballs, tzatziki, and all your favorite veggies.
• Marinara and feta: You can cook these in marinara sauce and then top with feta cheese. So easy and so good.
• Meal Prep Bowls: Swap in the meatballs for the chicken in these Greek Chicken Bowls for a delicious and meal prep-friendly meal.

Recipe Ideas and Tips

Follow these tips to make the best meatballs.

• Change the protein: You can make these meatballs with ground turkey, chicken, beef, pork, or lamb. You can also combine two proteins, like turkey and lamb, to create a more dynamic flavor.
• Use dried herbs: If you don't have fresh parsley, use dried instead. You will need 1 teaspoon of dried for every tablespoon of fresh, which is four teaspoons for 1/4 cup. 
• Add breadcrumbs: If you want a softer meatball, add about 1/4 cup of breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs have the best texture, in my opinion.
• Avoid tough meatballs: It is very important not to overcook the meatballs since they can dry out quickly with lower-fat meat. Make sure to check them, as the exact cooking time will depend on the size of the meatballs. They will also continue to cook as they cool. 
• Skip the lemon: Although lemon adds a great flavor to this recipe, you can leave it out if you don't have any. You could also add some lemon pepper, but only if the pepper is made with real lemons. The fake lemon pepper flavor can add a strange aftertaste to recipes.

How to Freeze Meatballs

Greek meatballs freeze well. First, let them cool fully. Then, place them on a baking sheet and freeze them in the open air for about 2 hours or until they are frozen on the outside. Then, place them in a freezer-safe bag. The extra step of freezing them on a baking sheet ensures they won't stick together.

Many times, when I freeze meatballs, I slightly undercook them since you will be reheating them, and they will cook a bit more. Defrost overnight in the fridge for best results and reheat in a skillet.