Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 pound ground lamb, beef, or chicken
- ¼ cup minced onion
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup finely crumbled feta cheese
- 1 teaspoon Greek seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Tzatziki
- 1-2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- ¼ teaspoon salt, to taste
- Half of one European cucumber, peeled, grated, drained
- 1 cup plain yogurt, drained
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint (plus more to taste)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Lemon Rice
- 2 cups cooked rice (white or brown)
- Juice of one half lemon (approximately 1 tablespoon)
- ¼ teaspoon salt, to taste
For the Cucumber & Tomato Salad
- 1 cup tomatoes, diced, halved, or chopped
- 1 cup diced cucumber, drained
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt, to taste
Recommended Garnishes (All Optional)
- Hummus
- Crumbled feta
- Chopped dill
- Chopped parsley
- Sumac
- Pitas
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatballs: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C) and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Lightly spray with cooking spray to prevent sticking. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground meat, minced onion, garlic, egg, crumbled feta, Greek seasoning, and salt. Mix gently with your hands until ingredients are evenly incorporated. Use a scoop or your hands to form the mixture into 14 to 20 meatballs, placing each on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the Meatballs: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the meatballs for 10 to 14 minutes, or until browned and fully cooked throughout. While the meatballs bake, prepare the tzatziki, rice, and salad components.
- Make the Tzatziki Sauce: On a cutting board, mash the garlic with salt into a paste using the back of a fork. In a medium bowl, combine garlic paste, drained grated cucumber, drained yogurt, chopped mint, dill, black pepper, and olive oil. Stir thoroughly, taste, and adjust salt if necessary. Set aside.
- Prepare the Lemon Rice: In a medium bowl, combine cooked rice, fresh lemon juice, and salt. Stir well to distribute the flavors evenly. Taste and adjust lemon and salt to preference. Set aside.
- Make the Cucumber & Tomato Salad: In a small mixing bowl, combine diced tomatoes, diced cucumber, olive oil, and salt. Gently toss to combine and adjust seasoning as needed. Set aside.
- Assemble the Bowls: Divide the lemon rice evenly into serving bowls. Top each bowl with several meatballs, a generous spoonful of tzatziki, and a helping of cucumber & tomato salad. Add any optional garnishes you like such as hummus, crumbled feta, chopped herbs, sumac, or warm pitas. Serve immediately for best freshness.
Notes
- To drain grated cucumber for tzatziki, sprinkle with salt and let sit for 10 minutes, then squeeze out excess liquid with a clean cloth or paper towel to prevent watery sauce.
- Fresh herbs like mint and dill can be adjusted or substituted according to personal preference for a balanced flavor.
- Use plain Greek yogurt for a thicker, creamier tzatziki texture; regular plain yogurt can also be used if strained.
- Rice can be prepared ahead of time; warm slightly before mixing with lemon juice for best flavor.
- For a milder garlic flavor in tzatziki, use one clove and adjust to taste.
- The meatballs can also be pan-fried on medium heat for about 8-10 minutes if an oven is unavailable, turning frequently for even cooking.
- Sumac adds a lovely lemony, tangy finish to garnish but is optional.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
