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    Home / Dinner / Keftedes

    Keftedes

    Golden, herb-flecked Greek meatballs with a crisp crust and juicy, tender center, served with lemon and tzatziki.

    ⏱ 20 minPrep time
    🔥 15 minCook time
    🍽 4Servings
    🏷 DinnerCategory
    ☆☆☆☆☆No ratings yet
    Keftedes — golden herb-flecked Greek meatballs with lemon and tzatziki

    Keftedes are Greece’s answer to the meatball: juicy patties of ground meat, grated onion, and a shower of mint and oregano, fried until golden and crisp outside, tender within. They vanish fast from the meze table.

    Every Greek family has its own keftedes recipe, passed down and argued over with love. Serve them hot with tzatziki for dipping, a squeeze of lemon, and plenty of cold beer or wine.

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    Step by stepInstructions

    1. Combine the beef, onion, garlic, bread, egg, mint, parsley, oregano, salt, pepper, and cumin in a bowl. Mix gently until just combined.
    2. Cover and chill the mixture 30 minutes so the flavors meld.
    3. Shape the mixture into small patties about 2 inches wide.
    4. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
    5. Fry the keftedes in batches until deep golden brown and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side.
    6. Drain on paper towels and serve hot with tzatziki and lemon wedges.

    💡 Chef tips & storage

    A chilled, slightly wet mixture makes tender meatballs — don't overwork it. Add a pinch of dried spearmint to the oil for extra fragrance.

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    Recipe details

    Prep20 min
    Cook15 min
    Servings4
    CategoryDinner
    PublishedAugust 17, 2026
    Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

    Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

    Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

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