Greek Lamb & Feta Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce
Greek Lamb Meatballs are the best dinner recipe! Made with rich ground lamb, breadcrumbs, fresh herbs, tons of spices, and salty feta cheese … these meatballs have crispy outsides, tender middles, and a delicious flavor. Serve with homemade tzatziki yogurt sauce, a simple greek salad, and pita bread for a bright and delicious Mediterranean inspired entree.
Looking for a similar recipe? Check out my Greek Chicken Meatballs!
Fresh & Flavorful Greek Inspired Dish
We all know that cooking meals at home is one of the best things you can do! It’s healthier for you, better for your wallet, and can also be a great way to get creative in the kitchen.
The best way to keep it fun instead of boring is to explore different cuisines, experiment with new ingredients, and go beyond your basic dishes! Greek lamb meatballs with feta are my favorite way to do this.
These Mediterranean and Greek inspired meatballs are oven broiled with a crisp exterior, tender middle, and rich flavor. They are full of fresh herbs, flavorful spices, and feta cheese.
When served with the homemade tzatziki yogurt dip this easy recipe is a tangy, bright, and impressive entree!
If you’re looking for more Mediterranean inspired recipes check out my oven baked Greek chicken breast, chickpea couscous salad, spinach & feta turkey burgers, or Greek orzo pasta salad.
Ingredients
These meatballs are made with fresh, delicious, flavorful, and simple ingredients! Greek spices, plenty of fresh herbs, rich lamb, salty feta cheese, and more.
Ingredient Notes
Greek Feta Meatballs
- Ground Lamb: Ground lamb is of course the base of lamb meatballs. It is a rich, delicious, and unique meat that you can find in almost any grocery store or butcher! You’ll need 1 lb.
- Onion & Garlic: Onion and garlic add tons of flavor here. You will need 1 red onion and 2 fresh garlic cloves.
- Feta Cheese: I love the salty flavor feta cheese gives this recipe. 1/4 cup is perfect!
- Panko Breadcrumbs: Breadcrumbs help to bind these meatballs. I love to use seasoned Panko for extra flavor, but any will work. Add 3/4 cup.
- Egg: For more binding and extra moisture add 1 large egg.
- Fresh Mint & Parsley: Fresh mint and fresh parsley add an incredible herby flavor to this dish. Use 1/2 tbsp and 1 tbsp respectively. You could use fresh oregano too!
- Spices: Greek inspired spices make these meatballs taste deliciously authentic! You’ll need 1 tsp oregano, 1/2 tsp coriander, and 1/4 tsp cumin.
- Salt & Pepper: Lastly, add 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Plus more to taste!
Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
- Cucumber: The key ingredient to any tzatziki sauce is of course cucumber! I recommend using an English cucumber. 1/2 is all you need.
- Greek Yogurt: Tzatziki is essentially a yogurt dip, so you of course need yogurt. Add 1 cup of whole milk greek yogurt for the best taste and texture.
- Lemon Juice: 1 tbsp of fresh lemon juice adds a delicious tang and bright flavor.
- Fresh Dill: Fresh dill is a classic tzatziki ingredient! You’ll need 1 tbsp.
- Garlic: Mince 1 garlic clove and add to this recipe. It’s the perfect flavor addition!
- Salt: Lastly, add 1/4 teaspoon salt to finish the sauce.
Substitutions & Additions
There are quite a few substitutions and or additions that you can make to this recipe to meet your personal preferences or needs.
Here are some of my ideas! Just be sure to not change too much, as the final result may not be the same.
Ground Meat: The ground lamb in this meatball could be replaced with any ground meat. Ground beef would be most similar, but you could also use ground turkey or ground chicken if that is more your speed!
Feta Cheese: These are of course greek feta meatballs, but if you don’t have or like the cheese … try parmesan!
Bread Crumbs: Seasoned Panko breadcrumbs are used in this recipe. They add a bit of extra flavor, but any breadcrumbs can be used. You could even make your own!
Fresh Garlic: This recipe gains tons of flavor from fresh garlic, but if all you have on hand is garlic powder go ahead and use that.
Yogurt: The whole milk greek yogurt in the homemade tzatziki here can be replaced with a lighter percent yogurt. This will be a lighter option! Although not as creamy.
How To Make This Recipe
Greek meatballs with tzatziki are an easy and impressive main course recipe!
The most work probably comes from prepping & chopping your fresh ingredients. Then you simple mix your meatball ingredients and bake to crispy perfection.
While they’re baking, prep your bright cucumber & yogurt dip and then assemble your meal!
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Set the oven to broil.
Step 2: Next to a large bowl add the ground lamb, red onion, garlic, feta cheese, egg, breadcrumbs, fresh mint, fresh parsley, oregano, coriander, cumin, salt, and pepper. Combine evenly.
Step 3: Roll the meatball mixture into about 2-3 tbsp sized balls. You should be able to make 15 meatballs. Place the meatballs on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Broil for 15-20 minutes.
Step 4: While the meatballs are cooking, work on the tzatziki sauce. First, grate and squeeze the excess water out of the cucumber with a paper towel. Next in a medium bowl combine the grated cucumber, greek yogurt, lemon juice, fresh dill, minced garlic, and salt.
Step 5: Serve the meatballs with a simple greek salad, homemade tzatziki sauce, and pita breads or flat breads. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
I really recommend shredding the red onion. This may be a new technique to you, but it is my personal favorite for adding red onions (or any onion) to meatballs or burgers! It disperses the flavor evenly and doesn’t leave any big chunks.
Don’t over mix the meat mixture! This helps make the most tender meatballs.
Grease your hands with olive oil before rolling the meatballs. This is the best way to prevent any sticking. This method also makes for a crispy meatball because of the bit of extra oil!
Once done cooking for the instructed time, check one meatball! Every oven cooks differently and everyone will have slightly different meatball sizes. So the instructed times can only go so far!
Don’t skip the homemade tzatziki! It truly elevates this meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
I am not a dietician or nutritionist, but in my opinion ground lamb is definitely a healthy option!
It is high in omega-3 fatty acids and can be a good source of tons of additional nutrients. Like vitamin B, zinc, iron, and selenium.
Yes, definitely! If you are not a lamb fan use ground beef for ultimate deliciousness.
Totally! To make this lamb meatball recipe into an appetizer I recommend making them a smaller size. This way they’re more poppable and better suited for sharing.
Still serve with the tzatziki sauce for delicious dipping!
You should bake these for 15-20 minutes. The cooking times will depend on the exact size of your meatballs. I recommend cutting one open and checking.
You could also use a meat thermometer to insure the internal temperature has reached 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
I love to serve these greek meatballs as an entree with the homemade tzatziki sauce, a simple salad, and fresh pita bread. It’s incredible and full of flavor!
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep for about 1 week!
Yes! Simply prepare and bake the meatballs as instructed. Then allow to cool on the baking sheet.
Once cooled transfer to a freezer safe Ziploc bag or container and place in the freezer. They’ll be perfect when you want a satisfying and tasty meal, but don’t feel like cooking!
Love this recipe? Check out more meatball recipes…
- Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs
- Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- Chicken Veggie Meatballs
- Firecracker Sauce Meatballs
- Easy & Healthy Asian Turkey Meatballs
Connect with me!
If you make this greek lamb meatballs recipe or any of my other recipes, I would absolutely love to know! Tag me @wellnessbykay on Instagram so I can see and share your recreations.
Love this recipe? Leave a comment and a rating! I love to see and it helps me continue to develop delicious recipes for this blog.
Print
Greek Lamb & Feta Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce
- Prep Time: 25 Minutes
- Cook Time: 25 Minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 5 Servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Oven Baked
- Cuisine: Greek
Description
Greek Lamb Meatballs are the best dinner recipe! Made with rich ground lamb, breadcrumbs, fresh herbs, tons of spices, and salty feta … these meatballs have crispy outsides, tender middles, and a delicious flavor. Serve with homemade tzatziki yogurt sauce, a simple greek salad, and pita bread for a bright and delicious Mediterranean inspired entree.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground lamb
- 1 red onion, shredded
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup seasoned Panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 tbsp fresh mint
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp coriander
- 1/4 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1/2 English cucumber, finely grated
- 1 cup Greek yogurt, whole milk
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1–2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Set the oven to broil.
- Next to a large mixing bowl add the ground lamb, red onion, garlic, feta cheese, egg, breadcrumbs, fresh mint, fresh parsley, oregano, coriander, cumin, salt, and pepper. Combine evenly.
- Roll the ground meat mixture into about 2-3 tbsp sized balls. You should be able to make 15 meatballs.
- Place the meatballs on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Broil for 15-20 minutes.
- While the meatballs are cooking, work on the tzatziki sauce. First, grate and squeeze the excess liquid out of the cucumber. Next in a medium bowl combine the grated cucumber, greek yogurt, lemon juice, fresh dill, minced garlic, and salt.
- Serve the meatballs with a simple greek salad, homemade tzatziki sauce, and pita bread. Enjoy!
Keywords: greek meatballs, greek meatballs with tzatziki sauce, greek lamb meatballs, greek feta meatballs, greek lamb feta meatballs, greek lamb feta meatballs with tzatziki sauce, homemade tzatziki sauce
Loved these meatballs also used fenugreek really tasty family very impressed
★★★★★
Thanks Gayle! I’m so glad you and your family enjoyed the recipe. 🙂
I have a sneaky feeling that this recipe is AI generated. There’s no way an actual person created this recipe. I say that due to:
1. The second step is to combine all ingredients NEXT to a large mixing bowl,
2. The “author” of this recipe replying to the only 5 star comment who has the EXACT profile picture of the author. Like they created a second account and replied to themselves and gave themselves 5 stars,
3. It says “shredded” onion, when, looking back at the pictures AFTER the fact of seeing my meatballs looking like ridiculous onion balls, it’s clearly grated, and
4. It says to broil the meatballs, but, don’t specify Hi or Lo, for FIFTEEN minutes. I assumed Lo, but I changed it to 170F and flipped after about 10 minutes, because, after cooking for 15 minutes, the inside was still raw! Gordon Ramsey would be livid! I know I was.
This is not a good lamb meatball recipe. It is an onion ball with a hint of lamb recipe. If you love onions more than anything, this recipe is for you. My meatballs look nothing like the pictures. It may be better if this recipe was rewritten by an actual human who actually cooked this recipe. Who honestly doesn’t scroll past of all the pictures to the recipe? This recipe calls for WAY too much onion. I only could make 13 meatballs BARELY because I tried to make it more meat than onion, but, even trying to avoid the onion after making half of them, I still ended up wasting so much onion despite the meatballs being already being majority onion. You just need half a cup IF that. I was looking forward to finding a recipe to replace one that I haven’t for the sake of me been able to find again online that was to DIE for. I got this recipe confused with another and, after I already put the meatballs in the oven, I found the recipe that I MEANT to do. Really shame on me for not seeing that it was the wrong recipe I wanted to use, being a recipe with essentially zero reviews after being posted over a year ago. Should’ve known better, but now I do know better and bookmarked the other one so I don’t make the same mistake.
I will say that the Tzatziki sauce was FINE but it was definitely missing something. That something being pepper, more garlic, and feta (if you’re into that).
It’s a basic recipe. Shouldn’t be so hard to mess up Tzatziki sauce and meatballs, but, yet, this recipe did so with flying colors. Waste of money and time.
★
In spite of a bad review/rant that someone gave, these meatballs were delicious!! My Greek friend said they were spot on with flavour and simplicity. This recipe is a keeper!
To the horrible reviewer…there’s no feta in tzatziki!!!
★★★★★
Hi Deb! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe!! Thanks for the great review! 🙂