Best 2 Greek Meat Loaves Recipes

Discover the delectable flavors of traditional Greek meat loaves, a staple of Greek cuisine that brings families and friends together around the table. These savory dishes, also known as "keftedakia" or "soutzoukakia," are typically crafted with a blend of ground meat, herbs, spices, and breadcrumbs, then lovingly shaped and cooked to perfection. Whether you prefer the classic beef and lamb combination or venture into variations featuring pork, chicken, or even seafood, Greek meat loaves offer a rich tapestry of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds.

Let's cook with our recipes!

GREEK MEAT LOAVES

Greek Meat Loaves image

Flavored with sun-dried tomatoes and Greek olives, this twist on traditional meat loaf will be a hit, especially when served with a Greek salad and crusty bread. -Radelle Knappenberger, Oviedo, Florida

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 1h10m

Yield 2 loaves (6 servings each).

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup 2% milk
1 large red onion, finely chopped
3/4 cup quick-cooking oats
1/3 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, patted dry and finely chopped
1/3 cup pitted Greek olives, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Steps:

In a large bowl, combine the first 10 ingredients. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Pat into two greased 8x4-in. loaf pans. Cover and freeze one meat loaf for up to 3 months., Bake remaining meat loaf, uncovered, at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until no pink remains and a thermometer reads 160°. Let stand for 5 minutes. Transfer to a serving plate; sprinkle with cheese. , To use frozen meat loaf: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Bake as directed; sprinkle with cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 254 calories, Fat 15g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 98mg cholesterol, Sodium 545mg sodium, Carbohydrate 9g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 21g protein.

MINI GREEK-STYLE MEAT LOAVES

Mini Greek-Style Meat Loaves image

Recipe is from Cooking Light Magazine. This meat loaf is made in muffin tins and is great with the feta-yogurt sauce (recipe included). Serve with an arugula & cucumber salad on the side.

Provided by DailyInspiration

Categories Lunch/Snacks

Time 30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 19

Ingredients

10 ounces ground sirloin
5 ounces ground lamb, lean
1/3 cup dry breadcrumbs
1/3 cup red onion, grated
4 teaspoons of fresh mint, chopped
4 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped
3/8 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 large egg, lightly beaten
cooking spray
1/2 cup plain fat-free Greek yogurt
2 ounces feta cheese, reduced-fat (crumbled})
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, divided
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
4 cups baby arugula leaves
1 1/2 cups cucumbers, peeled, seeded and diagonally sliced

Steps:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
Combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl. Stir in 1 tablespoons mint, 1 tablespoons thyme, 1/4 teaspoons salt, allspice, and next 3 ingredients (through egg). Press meat mixture into 8 muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Bake at 450 degrees for 7 minutes. Turn broiler to high; broil 3 minutes.
Combine yogurt, feta, 1 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoons mint, and 1 teaspoons thyme in a mini food processor; pulse 10 times to combine.
Combine 1 tablespoons oil, 1 tablespoons juice, 1/8 teaspoons salt, and pepper in a bowl; stir. Add arugula and cucumber; toss.
Serve meat loaf with yogurt/feta sauce with arugula/cucumber salad on the side.

Tips:

Choose the right meat: A combination of ground beef and ground pork is a classic choice for Greek meatloaf, but you can also use lamb, veal, or a mixture of meats. Just be sure to use a meat with a high fat content, as this will help keep the meatloaf moist.
Season the meatloaf well: Greek meatloaf is typically seasoned with a combination of garlic, onion, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. You can also add other herbs and spices to your liking, such as cumin, paprika, or cinnamon.
Don't overmix the meatloaf: Overmixing the meatloaf will make it tough. Just mix the ingredients until they are evenly combined.
Shape the meatloaf into a loaf: Place the meatloaf mixture into a greased loaf pan and shape it into a loaf shape. You can also make individual meatloaves by shaping the mixture into small balls or patties.
Bake the meatloaf: Bake the meatloaf in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Let the meatloaf rest: Let the meatloaf rest for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This will help the juices redistribute throughout the meatloaf.

Conclusion:

Greek meatloaf is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides. It's a great way to use up leftover meat, and it's also a budget-friendly meal. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, Greek meatloaf is a great choice for busy weeknight dinners.