Last Updated on December 10, 2025 by Chef Mireille
Keftedes – Greek Meatballs with Mint Yogurt Sauce – These aromatic meatballs are perfect to bring to your summer picnics, barbecues and garden parties!
Here in America when you say meatballs, the first thing that comes into our heads is the classic Italian American dish of Spaghetti & Meatballs. However, in Greece it’s different. Meatballs are generally served as an appetizer or part of meze, a variety of small plates. The meatballs are usually served with some kind of savory yogurt sauce like the classic tzatziki. In my version, I created a minty yogurt sauce, using the flavors of Greece. I guarantee these Keftedes – Greek Meatballs with Mint Yogurt Sauce will be at a hit at your next party. They are usually fried, however I opted for a healthier version by baking them. You can even put them on the grill now that the summer barbecue season is about to start.
I have even made them mini sized in the past to serve at cocktail parties. Although these have some pork in them, simply replace the ground pork with ground beef or make them 100% lamb and with Ramadan approaching, consider them as an option for Iftar.
Here are some more Greek/Middle Eastern inspired foods to complete your meze!
Meze Recipes
- Manakish – Za’atar Bread
- Bazlama – Yogurt Flatbread
- Pumpkin Hummus
- Stuffed Peppers
Want to make them Vegetarian? Use mashed chickpeas for some flavorful “faux” meatballs!
IN THE MAKING
Serve with the yogurt sauce and pita bread or slice them up and make a sandwich with lettuce and tomato.
Keftedes – Greek Meatballs with Mint Yogurt Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground lamb
- 1 lb. ground meat pork and/or beef
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
- 1 large red onion pulverized to pulp in the food processor
- 1/3 cup finely chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped mint
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs
Yogurt Sauce Ingredients
- 1 cup yogurt
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped mint
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon sumac + more for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground meat, garlic, onion, parsley, mint, spices, olive oil, salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Add egg and breadcrumbs. Mix until thoroughly combined.
- Cover them and put in the refrigerator for 30 minutes for them to firm up.
- Preheat oven to 375 F. Spray 2 cookie sheets with non stick spray.
- Form into meatballs and place on the cookie sheets.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Turn meatballs. Bake for another 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, add the lemon juice, mint, salt and pepper to the yogurt in a bowl.
- Whisk well. Garnish with more sumac.
- Serve meatballs with the mint yogurt sauce.
Nutrition
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These look so scrumptious! I love homemade meatballs!
I am sure you will love these then – and this baked version is so easy to put together!
That mint yogurt sauce sounds so refreshing right now! It’s been so HOT lately.
yes it has – I’m here in the northeast US and melting in the sun – yes it adds a cooling element to the hearty meatballs