Lemon and Basil Greek Meatballs
Another 30 minute meal coming to your table! These juicy pork meatballs seasoned with lemon pepper and fresh basil are the perfect Greek meatballs!
Served up next to a tangy, cucumber and kalamata olive greek yogurt sauce it's truly irrisistable! These Greek meatballs are a pretty mild flavor that is appealing to kids and adults, both!
Ingredients You'll Need
- 1 lb ground pork (can substitute beef or turkey too!)
- 1 tablespoon lemon pepper
- 4-5 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 an onion, grated or finely diced
- olive oil
- 2 cups greek yogurt
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1/3 cup chopped kalamata olives
- 1/2 an english cucumber finely diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- pinch of salt and pepper
The Easy Way To Cook Meatballs
Let's just cut to the chase, we want recipes that are easy to make AND easy to clean up. So cooking meatballs can get a little messy....
If you don't want to babysit a skillet full of meatballs, line a sheet pan with tin foil and bake the meatballs for about 15 minutes.
I like to broil them for the last couple of minutes to mimic the sear of a skillet right on top!
Simply throw the foil away at the end for easy clean up!
Cucumber Yogurt Sauce
Tzatziki is a very popular side dish for any kind of spiced Greek or Mediteranean meat recipe. It's a fresh and light balance to the bold and savory flavors of these Greek meatballs.
I've put my own spin on the tradtional yogurt sauce by adding in a few extra ingredients!
Combine greek yogurt, chopped cucumber, chopped kalamata olives, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and fresh garlic.
It's still light and fresh but with the added tang of the olives, it's just delicous!
Other Delicious Meatball Recipes
Meatballs might be a moms best friend. They are quick to make, easy to serve, and universally loved by husbands and kiddos.
If you enjoyed these Lemon Basil Greek Meatballs try these other meatball recipes...
Mexican Enchilada Meatballs - skillet meatballs with delicious enchilada flavors
Raspberry Black Bean Dip Meatballs - a twist on a classic college town favorite of mine! Sweet & savory recipe for beef meatballs.
Easy Bruschetta Turkey Meatballs - A delicious appetizer idea! Or load them up on a bun for a yummy meatball sub.
Lemon Basil Greek Meatballs
Equipment
- sheet tray
- tin foil
- mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground pork can substitute beef or turkey too!
- 1 tablespoon lemon pepper
- 4-5 fresh basil leaves thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 an onion grated or finely diced
- olive oil
- 2 cups greek yogurt
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1/3 cup chopped kalamata olives
- 1/2 an english cucumber finely diced
- 2 cloves of garlic minced
- pinch of salt and pepper
Instructions
- Pre heat your oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with tin foil.
- In a mixing bowl combine pork, lemon pepper, sliced basil leaves, salt, and onion. Mix well with a fork or hands.
- Using a 1 tablespoon measuring spoon or cookie scoop, scoop the meatballs and place them on the baking sheet.
- Drizzle all of the meatballs with olive oil.
- Bake meatballs for 15-17 minutes until internal temperature is 145 degrees.
- While the meatballs are in the oven, in a mixing bowl combine the yogurt, chopped olives, cucumber, lemon juice, pinch of salt and pepper, and minced garlic.
- Mix and place in the refrigerator to set.
- When meatballs are finished serve along side a fresh salad and the yogurt sauce!