Baked Greek Lentil Meatballs with Tzatziki Recipe
Delicious and healthy Baked Greek Lentil Meatballs served with a refreshing homemade Tzatziki sauce. These vegetarian meatballs are packed with protein from lentils and flavored with classic Greek herbs and spices, making them a perfect appetizer or main dish that is both nutritious and satisfying.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 20-25 minutes to cook lentils separately before mixing)
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 20 meatballs (serves 4-6) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 cup dried brown lentils
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- Zest of 1 lemon
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- ½ cucumber, grated
- 1 tbsp fresh dill
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a baking sheet to prepare for baking the meatballs.
- Sauté onions and garlic. Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the chopped onion and minced garlic until they become translucent, about 5 minutes, which enhances their sweetness and flavor.
- Prepare the meatball mixture. In a large bowl, combine the cooked lentils with the sautéed onions and garlic, chopped parsley, dried oregano, panko breadcrumbs, eggs, and lemon zest. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Shape the meatballs. Form the mixture into one-inch diameter balls and place them evenly spaced on the greased baking sheet.
- Bake the meatballs. Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes or until the meatballs turn golden brown and are firm to the touch.
- Prepare the tzatziki sauce. In a bowl, mix Greek yogurt with the grated cucumber and fresh dill. This cool, creamy sauce complements the warm, savory meatballs and is served alongside them.
Notes
- Ensure lentils are fully cooked and drained well before mixing to avoid soggy meatballs.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Grated cucumber should be lightly squeezed to remove excess water to prevent a watery tzatziki sauce.
- These meatballs can be made ahead and reheated in the oven for a quick meal.
Keywords: Greek lentil meatballs, vegetarian meatballs, baked lentil balls, Greek recipe, tzatziki sauce, healthy appetizers, plant-based protein
