These Greek Lamb Meatballs with Tzatziki are an easy weekday dinner recipe! Serve them with some rice or a Chopped Greek Salad and dinner is served.
Table of Contents
I've made these Greek Lamb Meatballs with Tzatziki for Greek Easter the last few years (minus yesterday as I was traveling) and they are always a hit! I’ve been a personal fan of Greek Easter for exactly 11 years. Never mind the fact that I am in fact 30% Greek yet never celebrated growing up!! It wasn’t until one of my best friends from college (who is full Greek) invited me to her house for Greek Easter… you guys, I’ve never looked back. It’s hands down one of the most delicious holidays out there.
The meatballs are pretty straightforward as far as meatballs go. You have almost all the ingredients at home is my guess. The lamb and the mint are a flavor combo you’ll be obsessed with so if you’re game for lamb, go for it! If not, you could easily sub any other ground meat in this recipe and it will still be delish. The secret in literally in the sauce. The feta Tzatziki is truly what dreams are made of. I want to slather this all over every recipe for the foreseeable future. It’s that good.
Ingredients
- Ground Lamb
- Red Onion
- Garlic Cloves
- Flat-Leaf Parsley
- Mint
- Egg
- Panko Breadcrumbs
- Salt & Pepper
How to Make Lamb Meatballs
Start by preheating the oven to broil. Then in a medium bowl, combine lamb with all of the meatball ingredients. Form the meat into golf ball sized balls. Place the meatballs two inches apart on the baking sheet, and position the baking sheet a few inches from the heat source and broil for about five minutes, turning once halfway through.
Variations and Substitutions
Ground Lamb - The lamb and the mint are a flavor combo you’ll be obsessed with so if you’re game for lamb, go for it! If not, you could easily sub ground beef, ground pork, ground chicken, or ground turkey in this recipe and it will still be delish.
Red Onion - If you don't have a red onion on hand you could swap it for a shallot, yellow onion, or sweet onion.
Fresh Herbs - While you could sub out dried herbs for the fresh herbs, it’s not quite the same. So I’d encourage you to use the fresh herbs if you can find them!
Panko Breadcrumbs - To make the greek lamb meatballs recipe gluten-free substitute the panko breadcrumbs for gluten free panko breadcrumbs.
Tips & Tricks
The Trick to Tender Meatballs - Eggs and breadcrumbs are the trick to tender meatballs. They act as a binder and ensure that as the lamb meatballs cook they don't loose too much moisture and end up tough and dry.
Broil vs. Fry - Don't fry your meatballs, broiling them takes 5 minutes, keeps your stove clean, and ensures you still get a nice brown crust.
Feta Tzatziki - The secret to this recipe in literally in the sauce. The feta Tzatziki is truly what dreams are made of and not to be missed. I want to slather this all over every recipe for the foreseeable future. It’s that good.
FAQ's
What to eat with lamb meatballs?
If you're wondering what to serve with lamb meatballs a Chopped Greek Salad, rice, pita bread, and tzatziki would all pair well.
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.
More Meatball Recipes
- Lebanese Chicken Meatballs
- Perfect Italian Meatballs
- Omi’s Swedish Meatballs
- Chicken Parmesan Meatballs (watch how to make Chicken Parmesan Meatballs here)
Tools Used to Make This
Greek Lamb Meatballs with Tzatziki
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground lamb
- ½ cup red onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon flat-leaf parsley minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh mint minced
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Tzatziki
- 1 cup Greek Yogurt
- 1 Persian cucumbers small dice
- 1 lemon juiced, plus more if needed
- 3 cloves garlic finely minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill chopped
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- ½ cup feta
- chopped parsley to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to broil.
- In a medium bowl, combine lamb with all of the meatball ingredients. Form the meat into golf ball sized balls. Place the meatballs two inches apart on the baking sheet, and position the baking sheet a few inches from the heat source. Broil for about five minutes, turning once halfway through.
- Combine the ingredients for the feta tzatziki. Serve alongside the meatballs for dipping.
Notes
- The lamb and the mint are a flavor combo you’ll be obsessed with so if you’re game for lamb, go for it! If not, you could easily sub ground beef, ground pork, ground chicken, or ground turkey in this recipe and it will still be delish.
I want to give TEN STARS. I made the greek chopped salad as well. What a wonderful dinner. I did cheat and used tzatziki from Trader Joes and added the feta. I also did not broil the meatballs- instead roasted at high temp (and probably overcooked a tiny bit but who cares when the taste is so good).
YUM... had left overs for lunch yesterday. Oh so good.
Delicious. I made mixture ahead and refrigerated it. Cooked them in the airfyer 12 to 14 minutes at 380. Served with an orzo Greek salad tzatiki and naan.
Ooooh, this sounds like the perfect summer meal. Light and delicious!
These are incredibly delicious. We actually grill them in a grill basket and they are even better.
omg love that! will try it asap
Hi Gaby. . .
What do you suggest serving with the meatballs and tzatziki?
I just serve it with pita or with a little bit of rice and my butter lettuce salad on the side!
I saw this recipe in the email today and made it for dinner tonight! It sounded great (and easy!) and it was both. So flavorful. This will definitely be added to the weeknight rotation.
The recipe directions are a little spare—it would be better to divide the ingredient list by meatball and tzatziki—but it works out as written.
good catch!! fixed and thank you!
Hi Gaby,
Looks delicious, I only wish I liked lamb.
Can I substitute pork or beef instead?
Love all your recipes. I recently made your pork meatballs with mint bowl and it was delicious. Everyone loved it. For dessert I made your blondies snickerdoodle brownie. Also delicious!
Many thanks for your recipes.
Lucy
YES!! you absolutely can