Oven-Baked Lamb Meatballs with Fresh Mint Tzatziki Recipe
Delicious and aromatic Lamb Meatballs baked to perfection and served with a refreshing homemade Mint Tzatziki sauce. This Mediterranean-inspired recipe combines tender ground lamb with fragrant spices, feta cheese, and fresh herbs for a flavorful appetizer or main dish. Quick to prepare and perfect for gatherings or a satisfying weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (about 16 meatballs)
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Lamb Meatballs
- 1 pound ground lamb
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- cooking spray
Mint Tzatziki
- 2 small Persian cucumbers, peeled and grated
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
- ¾ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400ºF (200ºC) and line a small baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the meatballs.
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground lamb, finely diced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, chopped fresh parsley, cumin, coriander, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything thoroughly with wet hands to keep the mixture from sticking.
- Form Meatballs: Using a medium spring-loaded cookie scoop or about 2 tablespoons of the mixture, scoop and roll into meatballs. Place approximately 16 meatballs evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Coat and Bake: Lightly spray the meatballs with cooking spray. Bake them in the preheated oven for 12 minutes, turning them halfway through to ensure even cooking on all sides.
- Broil for Finish: After baking, broil the meatballs for an additional 2-3 minutes to get a nicely browned exterior. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 160ºF (71ºC) for safe consumption.
- Prepare the Mint Tzatziki: Place the grated cucumber into a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much moisture as possible. In a medium bowl, combine the drained cucumber with Greek yogurt, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, chopped fresh mint, and salt. Stir well until fully incorporated.
- Serve: Serve the warm lamb meatballs alongside the refreshing mint tzatziki sauce. Optionally, garnish with extra chopped fresh mint for added color and flavor.
Notes
- Wringing out excess water from the grated cucumber is crucial to prevent the tzatziki from becoming watery.
- Use wet hands when mixing the lamb mixture to avoid sticking and to form smooth meatballs.
- Broiling after baking helps develop a nice crust and finish on the meatballs.
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure safe cooking of lamb.
- Substitute gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten free if needed.