Meze Meatballs with Fresh Salad, Hummus, and Pita Interludes Recipe

Introduction

Meze meatballs are a flavorful and aromatic dish inspired by Mediterranean cuisine. These tender meatballs are perfect for sharing and paired wonderfully with fresh salad, hummus, and tzatziki for a delightful meal.

Ingredients

• 100g breadcrumbs
• 50ml milk
• 400g beef or lamb mince
• 1 egg
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• Small bunch of flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
• 1 onion, coarsely grated
• 2 garlic cloves, finely grated
• 2 tbsp plain flour
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ½ cucumber, chopped into chunks
• 12 cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 1 red onion, finely sliced
• Hummus, to serve
• Tzatziki, to serve
• 4 pittas, toasted

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place the breadcrumbs into a bowl and pour over the milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes or until the milk has been absorbed.
2. Step 2: Add the beef or lamb mince, egg, dried oregano, chopped parsley, grated onion, and grated garlic to the soaked breadcrumbs. Season with salt and pepper, then mix everything thoroughly using your hands.
3. Step 3: Shape the mixture into meatballs slightly larger than a cherry tomato, making about 24 meatballs in total. Cover the meatballs and chill them in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. They can be kept covered and chilled for up to 24 hours.
4. Step 4: When ready to cook, pour the plain flour into a shallow bowl. Roll each meatball in the flour to coat evenly.
5. Step 5: Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Fry the meatballs for 10–12 minutes, turning regularly so they brown evenly and cook through.
6. Step 6: While the meatballs cook, prepare the salad by combining the chopped cucumber, quartered cherry tomatoes, and sliced red onion.
7. Step 7: To serve, arrange the meatballs on a platter alongside the salad, bowls of hummus and tzatziki, and toasted pittas. Let everyone assemble their own meatball kebab by stuffing the meatballs, salad, and dips into the pittas.

Tips & Variations

• For a fresher flavor, add chopped mint or dill alongside the parsley.
• Swap beef or lamb with turkey or chicken mince for a lighter version.
• Serve with warm pita pockets or flatbreads for an authentic experience.
• Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour to make this recipe gluten-free.

Storage

Store any leftover cooked meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a pan over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through. The uncooked meatballs can be kept covered and chilled for up to 24 hours before cooking.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I freeze uncooked meatballs?

Yes, you can freeze the uncooked meatballs after shaping them. Place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They can be stored for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.

What can I serve instead of pittas?

If you don’t have pittas, flatbreads, wraps, or even slices of toasted bread work well to hold the meatballs and salad for a delicious meal.

Meze Meatballs with Fresh Salad, Hummus, and Pita Interludes Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 124 reviews

These Meze Meatballs are a flavorful Greek-inspired dish made with tender beef or lamb mince mixed with herbs, garlic, and onion, coated in flour, and pan-fried until golden and cooked through. Served with fresh cucumber, cherry tomato, and red onion salad alongside creamy hummus, refreshing tzatziki, and toasted pittas, they make a perfect communal meal for sharing or a delicious, easy-to-assemble feast.

• Author: Zane
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 24 meatballs (serves 4) 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Greek
• Diet: Halal

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meatballs

• 100g breadcrumbs
• 50ml milk
• 400g beef or lamb mince
• 1 egg
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• small bunch of flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
• 1 onion, coarsely grated
• 2 garlic cloves, finely grated
• 2 tbsp plain flour
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Salad and Serving

• ½ cucumber, chopped into chunks
• 12 cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 1 red onion, finely sliced
• hummus, to serve
• tzatziki, to serve
• 4 pittas, toasted

Instructions

1. Soak Breadcrumbs: Place the breadcrumbs in a bowl and pour in the milk. Leave for about 5 minutes until the milk is fully absorbed into the breadcrumbs.
2. Prepare Meatball Mixture: Add the beef or lamb mince, egg, dried oregano, finely chopped parsley, coarsely grated onion, and finely grated garlic to the soaked breadcrumbs. Season well with salt and pepper. Mix everything thoroughly using your hands until well combined.
3. Shape Meatballs: Form the mixture into meatballs roughly a bit larger than cherry tomatoes, aiming to make about 24 meatballs. Cover them and chill for at least 30 minutes. They can be refrigerated covered for up to 24 hours if preparing in advance.
4. Coat Meatballs: When ready to cook, spread the plain flour into a shallow bowl. Roll each meatball in the flour to evenly coat the exterior.
5. Fry Meatballs: Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Fry the meatballs for 10 to 12 minutes, turning regularly for even browning and to ensure they are cooked through.
6. Prepare Salad and Serve: On a serving platter, arrange the cooked meatballs with a salad made of chopped cucumber, quartered cherry tomatoes, and finely sliced red onion. Place bowls of hummus and tzatziki nearby. Toast the pittas and allow everyone to assemble their own meatball kebabs by stuffing the meatballs, salad, and dips inside the bread.

Notes

• For best flavor, use fresh herbs if available rather than dried.
• Chilling the meatballs helps them hold their shape during cooking.
• You can substitute the beef or lamb with a mix of both or with ground chicken or turkey if preferred.
• Adjust seasoning to taste before shaping the meatballs.
• Leftover meatballs keep well refrigerated for 2 days and can be reheated gently in a pan or microwave.

Keywords: Meze meatballs, Greek meatballs, lamb meatballs, beef meatballs, pan-fried meatballs, Mediterranean recipe, hummus, tzatziki, pita bread, easy dinner