Description
A flavorful Greek Meatball Bowl featuring tender lamb or beef meatballs, creamy homemade tzatziki sauce, fluffy basmati rice, and a fresh medley of vegetables. This wholesome dish combines Mediterranean spices with a refreshing cucumber yogurt sauce for a satisfying and vibrant meal perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs
- 1 lb ground lamb or beef
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for frying)
For the Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cucumber, grated and drained
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Bowl Assembly
- 2 cups cooked basmati or jasmine rice
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- Make the Greek Meatballs: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground lamb or beef, breadcrumbs, grated onion, minced garlic, egg, parsley, dill, dried oregano, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the meat mixture into 1-inch meatballs, ensuring uniform size for even cooking.
- Cook Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until they are browned on all sides and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.
- Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce: In a small bowl, combine plain Greek yogurt, grated and drained cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, fresh dill, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well, adjust seasoning to taste, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Assemble the Bowls: Divide the cooked basmati or jasmine rice evenly among serving bowls.
- Add Toppings: Arrange the cooked meatballs, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, Kalamata olives, and thinly sliced red onion over the rice in each bowl.
- Finish and Serve: Drizzle each bowl generously with the prepared tzatziki sauce and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef for ground lamb if preferred.
- Ensure the cucumber for the tzatziki is well-drained to avoid watery sauce.
- Cook meatballs in batches if your skillet is small to avoid overcrowding and uneven cooking.
- For a lighter option, bake the meatballs in the oven at 400°F for 15-20 minutes instead of frying.
- Use fresh herbs for the best flavor but dried herbs can be substituted if fresh are unavailable.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Greek
