Delicious Sheet Pan Greek Meatballs with Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
Greek-inspired meatballs offer a simple and flavorful dinner solution. Serve them with a refreshing tzatziki sauce for dipping or wrap them in warm pitas to create delightful homemade gyros.
There’s something inherently comforting and satisfying about a perfectly cooked meatball, especially when paired with a complementary sauce. From classic Italian Meatballs to sweet and savory Honey Garlic Meatballs, the versatility of this dish is truly endless. But if you’re looking to transport your taste buds to the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean, these Sheet Pan Greek Meatballs are an absolute must-try.
My adoration for Greek cuisine knows no bounds. There’s a charming little spot near my home that makes the most incredible gyros, complete with their signature creamy tzatziki sauce. While dining out is always a treat, it’s not always practical. That’s why I love bringing those authentic Greek flavors into my own kitchen, allowing us to indulge in these vibrant dishes more frequently and affordably.
These Sheet Pan Greek Meatballs join our family’s roster of favorite Greek-inspired meals, right alongside our beloved Greek Turkey Burgers. While turkey burgers are fantastic for grilling season (or even under the broiler during colder months!), these meatballs utilize ground beef for a rich, hearty flavor profile. The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability; you could easily substitute ground lamb, or a combination of beef and lamb, for an even more traditional and robust taste, though lamb tends to be a bit pricier. The core Greek seasonings remain the same, ensuring that unmistakable Mediterranean essence shines through.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Greek Meatball Recipe
- Quick & Convenient: Ready in about 15 minutes of active time, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Flavor-Packed: Infused with classic Greek herbs and spices that delight the palate.
- Sheet Pan Simplicity: Minimal cleanup thanks to the efficient sheet pan cooking method.
- Versatile Serving: Excellent as a main course, appetizer, or incorporated into pitas for homemade gyros.
- Family Favorite: Even picky eaters tend to love these tender, juicy meatballs.
- Healthy & Wholesome: Made with fresh ingredients and lean protein.
Key Ingredients for Authentic Greek Meatballs
Creating these flavorful Greek meatballs requires a few simple yet powerful ingredients that come together to form that distinctive Mediterranean taste. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Ground Beef: We use 1 pound of ground beef, typically an 85/15 or 90/10 lean-to-fat ratio for the best texture and flavor. While beef is fantastic, you can certainly experiment with ground lamb for a more traditional Greek kofte, or even a blend of beef and lamb for a deeper, richer profile. Ground turkey can also be used for a lighter option.
- Fresh Parsley: Finely chopped fresh parsley adds a vibrant, herbaceous note that is essential in Greek cooking. Don’t skip this for dried parsley; the fresh flavor makes a big difference.
- Red Onion: Grated red onion not only infuses the meatballs with a subtle sweetness and tang but also contributes moisture, keeping the meatballs tender and juicy. Grating it finely helps it meld seamlessly into the meat mixture.
- Garlic: Minced fresh garlic is a cornerstone of Mediterranean cuisine, providing pungent aromatic depth.
- Dried Oregano: This classic Greek herb brings an earthy, slightly peppery flavor that is undeniably Greek. Dried oregano works wonderfully here.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the other flavors. Adjust to your personal preference.
- Ground Cumin: While not as prominent as oregano, a touch of ground cumin adds a warm, earthy undertone that complements the other spices beautifully and rounds out the flavor profile.
The Magic of Sheet Pan Cooking: How to Make Greek Meatballs
One of the best aspects of this recipe is the use of a sheet pan, which simplifies the cooking process and makes cleanup a breeze. Here’s a detailed guide on how to prepare these delectable meatballs:
- Prepare Your Meatball Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef (or your chosen meat), finely chopped fresh parsley, grated red onion, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, cumin, and black pepper. Using your hands, gently mix all the ingredients until they are just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough meatballs.
- Shape the Meatballs: Once the mixture is ready, scoop out about 1 to 1½ tablespoons of the meat mixture for each meatball. Roll them gently between your palms to form uniform balls. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Using a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil makes for even easier cleanup.
- Broil to Perfection: Preheat your broiler. Place the baking sheet with the meatballs under the broiler. Broil for 7-8 minutes, or until the meatballs are beautifully browned on the outside and cooked through to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). The broiling method ensures a nice sear and quick cooking time, locking in the juices.
These meatballs are fantastic served immediately, especially with a dollop of homemade Tzatziki sauce for dipping. They’re also perfectly sized to be tucked into a warm pita, transforming them into a delightful mini gyro sandwich!
Perfecting Your Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
No Greek meatball experience is complete without a side of cool, creamy, and tangy Tzatziki sauce. It’s incredibly easy to make from scratch, and the fresh flavors elevate the entire meal. Here’s what goes into it:
- Plain Greek Yogurt: The foundation of any good tzatziki. Opt for full-fat Greek yogurt for the creamiest texture and richest flavor. The thickness of Greek yogurt means you won’t need to strain it like regular yogurt.
- Cucumber, Shredded and Drained: This is a crucial step! After shredding the cucumber, squeeze out as much excess water as possible. This prevents your tzatziki from becoming watery. A clean kitchen towel or paper towels work perfectly for this.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens the sauce and adds a zesty tang.
- Garlic: Minced garlic provides that essential pungent kick. One clove is usually enough, but adjust to your taste preference.
- Fresh Dill: The distinctive, aromatic flavor of fresh dill is what truly makes tzatziki shine. Do not substitute with dried dill if fresh is available, as the flavor profile is vastly different.
- Salt and Pepper: Season to taste, ensuring the flavors are perfectly balanced.
Simply mix all these ingredients together in a bowl until well combined. For the best flavor, allow the sauce to chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Serving Suggestions and Crafting Your Own Gyros
While I could happily enjoy these Greek meatballs with just the cooling tzatziki sauce, my family, like many, appreciates a more complete meal. These sheet pan Greek meatballs offer incredible versatility for serving. Here are some fantastic ways to enjoy them:
- Classic Gyro-Style: The most popular way to serve these is wrapped in warm, soft pita bread. Offer a build-your-own station with a variety of toppings like diced fresh tomatoes, thinly sliced red onions, and crisp cucumbers. Let everyone assemble their perfect gyro-like sandwich, layering the meatballs, sauce, and fresh vegetables.
- Meatball Bowls: For a gluten-free or low-carb option, serve the meatballs over a bed of fluffy rice, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice. Top generously with tzatziki and your favorite fresh veggies.
- Salad Topping: Add a Mediterranean flair to your salads! These meatballs are delicious when sliced and added to a Greek salad with feta cheese, olives, and a light vinaigrette.
- Appetizer Skewers: For entertaining, thread the cooked meatballs onto small skewers with cherry tomatoes and cucumber chunks, serving them alongside a bowl of tzatziki for dipping.
- Side Dishes: Beyond pitas and fresh veggies, consider serving these meatballs with roasted lemon potatoes, a simple Greek pasta salad, or some steamed green beans.
These meatballs make for a fun, easy, and incredibly satisfying dinner any night of the week. Even my usually picky son, who isn’t a fan of tzatziki, devoured them, opting for a side of ranch dressing instead – proving just how universally appealing these Greek-flavored delights can be!
Tips for the Best Greek Meatballs
- Don’t Overmix: When combining the meatball ingredients, mix just until everything is incorporated. Overmixing can lead to dense, tough meatballs.
- Grate the Onion: Grating the red onion rather than dicing it helps it blend seamlessly into the mixture and adds moisture without chunky bits, ensuring tender meatballs.
- Use Fresh Herbs: Especially for the tzatziki, fresh dill is paramount. For the meatballs, fresh parsley adds a brighter flavor than dried.
- Adjust Seasoning: Always taste a small bit of the raw meat mixture (if safe for you to do so, or cook a tiny patty) to adjust salt and pepper before forming all the meatballs.
- Even Sizing: Try to make the meatballs uniform in size so they cook evenly. A small cookie scoop can be very helpful for this.
- Draining Cucumber: For truly creamy tzatziki, don’t skip draining the shredded cucumber. Excess water will dilute the sauce.
Storage and Make-Ahead Options
These Greek meatballs are fantastic for meal prepping or enjoying as leftovers:
- Refrigeration: Cooked meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Tzatziki sauce should also be stored separately in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze cooked meatballs for up to 2-3 months. Allow them to cool completely, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to flash freeze. Once solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Gently reheat meatballs in the microwave, in a skillet on the stovetop over medium-low heat, or in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until warmed through.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the meatball mixture up to a day in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. Form and cook just before serving. The tzatziki can also be made a day ahead for flavors to deepen.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
Looking for more simple and delicious dinner ideas? Here are some other family-friendly recipes you might enjoy:
- Potato Tacos
- Chicken Taquitos
- Greek Pasta Salad
- Crunchwrap Supreme
- Ranch Cheddar Chicken
- Air Fryer Chicken Legs
- Creamy Beef Pasta
Sheet Pan Greek Meatballs
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Equipment
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Full Sheet Pan
-
Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Tzatziki sauce
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup cucumber, shredded and drained
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh dill
- salt and pepper to taste
Toppings
- Tomatoes
- Sliced red onions
- Diced cucumbers
- Pitas
Instructions
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Preheat broiler.
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In a bowl combine all of the ingredients for the meatballs. Scoop about 1 1/2 Tbls of meat and shape into balls. Place on a baking sheet.
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Bake for 7-8 minutes until browned and cooked through.
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Meanwhile mix together all of the ingredients for the sauce.
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Serve cooked meatballs with the desired toppings, and sauce for dipping.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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