Best 3 Keftedes Greek Meatballs Recipes
Keftedes, also known as Greek meatballs, are a staple of Greek cuisine, offering a delicious combination of tender meat, herbs, and spices. These flavorful meatballs are a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or even as a part of a meze platter. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a beginner looking to explore new culinary horizons, this article will guide you through the art of creating the perfect keftedes, ensuring that you can impress your friends and family with this iconic Greek delicacy.
Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!
MARGARET'S KEFTEDES (GREEK MEATBALLS)
This is my yia yia's recipe--a family favorite straight from the village of Kyparissia. Serve as an appetizer or with tzatziki, Greek salata, and pita or pasta for a full meal. They taste best served at room temp and make for wonderful leftovers. If you don't care for lamb, try using all beef instead.
Provided by Shandeen Gemanis
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Greek
Time 55m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Moisten the bread pieces with the milk in a large bowl, and set aside. Mince the garlic in a food processor, then add the onion, mint, salt, and pepper. Process until the onion is finely chopped. Add the onion mixture to the bowl with the moist bread, along with the beef, lamb, and eggs. Mix with your hands until thoroughly blended.
- Roll the mixture into balls measuring 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter. Place the flour in a shallow pan, and roll the balls in the flour to coat. Shake off any excess flour, and place the meatballs onto a plate or baking sheet, pressing to flatten slightly. This will keep them from rolling away.
- Heat 1 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs, 8 or 10 at a time, and cook until nicely browned on the outside, and no longer pink in the center, about 10 minutes; drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with remaining meatballs.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 521.6 calories, Carbohydrate 28.6 g, Cholesterol 259.1 mg, Fat 31.5 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 29.7 g, SaturatedFat 9.1 g, Sodium 892.6 mg, Sugar 3 g
KEFTEDES - GREEK MEATBALLS
Here is a fried Greek meatball - Cyprian style. These are made with grated potatoes; a little different than the islands of Greece. Squeeze some lemon on them and have a taste of Cyprus.
Provided by Constantina
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Greek
Time 50m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
- Place the lemon juice in a large bowl. Coarsely grate the potatoes into the lemon juice, stirring well to prevent browning. Stir in the ground beef, onion, bread crumbs, parsley, mint, cinnamon, lemon zest, eggs, and salt and pepper. Mix well, and shape into oblong balls about 1 inch thick and 2 inches wide.
- Place meatballs in hot oil in batches; do not crowd. Fry until golden brown, and cooked through, about 6 to 7 minutes per batch. Serve with lemon wedges.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 626.7 calories, Carbohydrate 46.9 g, Cholesterol 153.8 mg, Fat 35.3 g, Fiber 8.1 g, Protein 33.6 g, SaturatedFat 9.6 g, Sodium 1977 mg, Sugar 4.4 g
GREEK MEATBALLS IN AVGOLEMONO SAUCE (KEFTEDES ME AVGOLEMONO)
Looks yummy!! This recipe is especially popular in the Agrinion area (NW Greece). It uses a version of Avgolemono soup as a sauce for the meatballs or keftedes. I am leaving the metric measures so the recipe is exactly as I found it. The site does not state how many it serves or what the time is for prep, so I am guessing here. I am also assuming that minced beef is the same as ground beef in the U.S. From realgreekrecipes.blogspot.com. Posted for ZWT6.
Provided by Scoutie
Categories Meat
Time 1h10m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Meatballs:.
- Apart from the flour and the vegetable oil, mix all the other ingredients together well.
- Make medium-size balls from the mixture.
- Roll the balls in flour and then deep fry them for approximately 15 minutes.
- Sauce:.
- In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat the oil, then add the flour and stir well for 3 minutes.
- Add 1 litre water and mix well.
- Add the meatballs and simmer for 30 minutes, until the sauce is slightly thick.
- Beat the egg yolk thoroughly.
- Add the lemon juice to the egg and keep beating.
- Add 5-6 tablespoons of the sauce to the egg & lemon mixture and stir well.
- Add this mixture to the meatballs in the sauce, shake the pan and remove from the heat.
- Serve with a sprinkling of pepper and fresh mint on top.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1688, Fat 146.4, SaturatedFat 29.3, Cholesterol 222.9, Sodium 277.9, Carbohydrate 43, Fiber 4.4, Sugar 2.4, Protein 53.7
Tips:
- Use a combination of ground beef and lamb for the meatballs. This will give them a more flavorful and juicy texture.
- Soak the bread in milk before adding it to the meatball mixture. This will help to bind the meatballs together and make them more tender.
- Season the meatballs generously with herbs and spices. This will help to give them a delicious flavor.
- Pan-fry the meatballs over medium heat until they are golden brown on all sides. This will help to seal in the juices and prevent them from drying out.
- Simmer the meatballs in a flavorful sauce for at least 30 minutes. This will help to tenderize the meatballs and infuse them with flavor.
- Serve the meatballs with your favorite sides, such as rice, pasta, or potatoes.
Conclusion:
Keftedes, also known as Greek meatballs, are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. They are easy to make and can be tailored to your own personal preferences. With a few simple tips, you can make keftedes that are sure to impress your friends and family. So next time you're looking for a flavorful and satisfying meal, give keftedes a try!
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