The Lively Greek Meatball Bowl Recipe: Tzatziki & Veggie Bliss

Crafting a delectable greek meatball bowl promises a Mediterranean culinary adventure that transports you straight to the sunny coastlines of greece.

Succulent, herb-infused meatballs nestle atop fluffy rice, creating a vibrant canvas of flavors.

Crisp vegetables add refreshing crunch to each delightful bite.

Creamy tzatziki sauce drizzled generously brings tangy richness that complements the savory meat perfectly.

Aromatic herbs and spices dance across your palate with each forkful.

Simple ingredients combine into an extraordinary meal that feels both comforting and exotic.

Dive into this easy recipe and let your taste buds celebrate a perfect balance of textures and tastes.

What You’ll Need for the Greek Meatball Bowl

• Ground Meat: A flavorful base for creating juicy and tender Greek-style meatballs.
• Egg: Helps bind the meatball ingredients together and adds richness.

• Breadcrumbs, Garlic, Red Onion: Provide texture, depth of flavor, and aromatic complexity to the meatballs.
• Parsley, Dill, Oregano, Cumin: Fresh herbs and spices that give the meatballs authentic Greek Mediterranean character.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the meatballs.

• Greek Yogurt: Creates a creamy and tangy base for the traditional tzatziki sauce.
• Cucumber: Adds freshness and cooling element to the tzatziki sauce.
• Lemon Juice: Provides bright, citrusy acidity to balance the rich flavors.
• Rice: Serves as a hearty and neutral base for the bowl.
• Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumber Slices, Red Onion: Fresh vegetables that add color, crunch, and nutritional value.
• Feta Cheese: Offers a salty, creamy topping that complements the Greek-inspired dish.
• Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps to tie all the flavors together.

How to Make a Greek Meatball Bowl at Home

Step 1: Craft Flavorful Meatballs

• Breadcrumbs
• Egg
• Minced garlic
• Red onion
• Parsley
• Dill
• Oregano
• Cumin
• Salt
• Pepper

Blend everything thoroughly until well combined. Shape the mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs about the size of a golf ball.

Step 2: Sizzle the Meatballs

Warm a skillet over medium heat and splash in some olive oil. Gently place meatballs in the pan and cook for 8-10 minutes.

Rotate them occasionally to ensure even browning and complete cooking. If you prefer oven-baking, spread meatballs on a baking sheet and roast at 400°F for 20 minutes, flipping midway through cooking.

Step 3: Whip Up Creamy Tzatziki

• Greek yogurt
• Grated cucumber
• Minced garlic
• Olive oil
• Dill
• Lemon juice
• Salt
• Pepper

Stir ingredients until smooth and refrigerate to let flavors mingle.

Step 4: Build Your Delicious Bowl

Distribute cooked rice into serving bowls.

Nestle the golden meatballs on top. Scatter fresh cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber slices, and thinly sliced red onion around the meatballs.

Step 5: Add Final Flourishes

Generously drizzle tzatziki sauce over the bowl. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese for a tangy kick.

Finish with a light olive oil drizzle. Serve with lemon wedges on the side for an extra zesty touch.

Handy Tips for Greek Meatball Bowl Success

• Add a splash of milk or water to the meat mixture to keep meatballs tender and juicy during cooking.
• Wet your hands with cold water before rolling to prevent meat from sticking and create smooth, uniform meatballs.
• Squeeze excess water from grated cucumber using a clean kitchen towel to prevent watery sauce and maintain thick consistency.
• Toast dried herbs like oregano and cumin briefly in a dry pan before adding to the meatball mixture to intensify their aromatic qualities.
• Cook extra meatballs and tzatziki sauce to store in the refrigerator for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week.

Mix It Up: Greek Meatball Bowl Add-Ins

• Mediterranean Lamb Fusion: Replace ground beef with ground lamb for a richer, more intense flavor profile that captures authentic Mediterranean essence.
• Vegetarian Greek Bowl: Swap meatballs with crispy chickpea falafel patties seasoned with similar Greek herbs, maintaining the Mediterranean spirit while offering a plant-based alternative.
• Spicy Aegean Edition: Add red pepper flakes to meatball mixture and incorporate harissa into tzatziki sauce for a zesty, heat-packed version that elevates the traditional recipe.
• Low-Carb Greek Option: Substitute rice with cauliflower rice or mixed greens, keeping protein and vegetable components intact while reducing carbohydrate content for health-conscious eaters.

What Goes Well with a Greek Meatball Bowl

• Elevate Herb-Infused Wine Pairing: Select a crisp, medium-bodied Greek white wine like Assyrtiko to complement the herbal notes in the meatballs and cut through their richness.
• Match Mediterranean Craft Beer: Choose a Greek craft lager or wheat beer with citrusy undertones that will refresh the palate and harmonize with the tzatziki's tangy profile.
• Create Zesty Cocktail Companion: Blend a Greek-inspired gin cocktail with cucumber, dill, and lemon to mirror the dish's Mediterranean ingredients and enhance the overall flavor experience.
• Serve Refreshing Non-Alcoholic Option: Prepare a sparkling cucumber-mint mocktail that echoes the tzatziki's cool, herbal elements and provides a light, palate-cleansing accompaniment.

Save and Reheat Leftover Greek Meatball Bowls

Store meatballs and tzatziki separately in airtight containers for up to 3-4 days. Keep rice and vegetables in separate containers to maintain freshness.

Place cooled meatballs in freezer-safe bags or containers. They’ll stay good for 2-3 months. Freeze tzatziki sauce in small portions for easy thawing.

Warm meatballs on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway. Add a splash of water to prevent drying. Reheat rice separately to maintain texture.

Gently warm meatballs in a skillet with a tiny bit of olive oil over medium-low heat. This method helps preserve their crispy exterior and keeps them juicy.

FAQs

• What makes Greek meatballs different from other meatballs?

Greek meatballs (keftedes) use unique herbs like dill and oregano, which give them a distinctive Mediterranean flavor profile and lighter texture compared to traditional meatballs.

• Can I use different types of ground meat for these meatballs?

Yes, you can use ground lamb, beef, chicken, or a mixture. Ground lamb provides the most authentic Greek taste, while beef offers a classic option with similar texture and richness.

• Is tzatziki sauce difficult to make at home?

Tzatziki is surprisingly simple to prepare. It requires just a few ingredients like Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and herbs, and can be mixed together in less than 5 minutes with basic kitchen tools.

Why This Greek Meatball Bowl Is So Tasty

• Savor Greek-Inspired Simplicity: This meatball bowl brings Mediterranean magic to your dinner table with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
• Create Customizable Comfort: Mix and match vegetables, adjust spice levels, and personalize each bowl to suit individual tastes and dietary preferences.
• Pack Protein-Powered Nutrition: Ground meat combined with fresh herbs delivers a protein-rich meal that keeps you satisfied and energized throughout the evening.
• Celebrate Versatile Cooking Methods: Choose between skillet and oven cooking techniques, making this recipe adaptable for different kitchen setups and cooking styles.

Greek Meatball Bowl With Tzatziki, Rice & Fresh Veggies Recipe

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4.9 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mediterranean flavors shine in this Greek Meatball Bowl, blending juicy seasoned lamb with creamy tzatziki and fragrant rice. Crisp vegetables and herb-infused meatballs create a perfect harmony you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Protein:

• 500 grams (17.6 ounces) ground beef or lamb
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt & pepper to taste

Binding and Supporting Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour for gluten-free)
• 1/4 cup red onion (finely chopped)
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup cucumber (grated and squeezed to remove water)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 2 cups cooked jasmine rice, basmati rice, or cauliflower rice
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 cup cucumber (sliced)
• 1/2 cup red onion (thinly sliced)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil drizzle
• Lemon wedges for serving

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Instructions

1. Craft a robust mixture by thoroughly blending ground meat with breadcrumbs, egg, aromatics like garlic, red onion, and an array of herbs including parsley, dill, oregano. Season generously with cumin, salt, and pepper. Form compact, uniform meatballs approximately 1.5 inches in diameter.
2. Warm a skillet over medium heat, introducing a gentle olive oil coating. Sear meatballs for 8-10 minutes, rotating periodically to ensure comprehensive browning and complete internal cooking. Alternatively, roast in a preheated 200C (400F) oven for 20 minutes, carefully flipping midway.
3. Craft a vibrant tzatziki by combining Greek yogurt with finely grated cucumber, minced garlic, olive oil, fresh dill, zesty lemon juice, and seasoning. Whisk ingredients until smooth, then refrigerate to allow flavors to meld.
4. Construct individual serving bowls by layering fluffy rice as a foundation. Strategically position cooked meatballs, scatter fresh cherry tomatoes, arrange crisp cucumber slices, and disperse delicate red onion segments.
5. Enhance the bowl with a generous tzatziki drizzle, sprinkle crumbled feta cheese across the surface, and finish with a final olive oil embellishment. Present with lemon wedges to provide a bright, citrusy accent.

Notes

• Avoid overworking the meat mixture to keep meatballs tender and prevent a tough texture.
• Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version that’s equally delicious and lower in fat.
• Replace breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the recipe celiac-friendly.
• Fresh herbs are key – they provide brighter flavors compared to dried herbs, so use them when possible for maximum taste impact.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 491 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 195 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 98 mg