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Greek Lamb Meatballs with Avocado Goddess Sauce.
I’m just going to go out and say it, you guys, I hate the word meatball. It’s just not very cute, you know? Like MEATBALL?! Hmm, it’s so odd to me and just well, so unattractive, but I guess that’s what you call a ball of meat. Makes sense, I get it, but still, it’s just not my favorite word, especially when there are 171,476 in the English language, I mean that’s the best we could come up with?
Anyone else with me on this one?
For the longest time I really steered clear of meatballs. They never excited me and I didn’t grow up eating them, so they just weren’t something I thought I needed to make. However, in an effort to keep things fresh and new here on HBH, I try to branch out of my comfort zone and try new to me foods. Over the years I’ve slowly grown to like (some) meatballs. I’ve now made a few versions (see here, here, and also in my cookbook), but these Greek inspired lamb meatballs are so different and so delicious. Hands down these are my favorite meatball I’ve made.
These are a game changer.
PS. how many times to you think I say meatball throughout this post? YIKES.
Unlike an Italian meatball, this Greek version is made a little simpler, and a littler healthier. I use plenty of fresh herbs, lean ground lamb, and lots of lemon (because apparently I am lemon obsessed). These are quick and easy to throw together and if you’re turned off by the idea of using lamb, you really shouldn’t be! It’s a great alternative to beef and in my opinion, has so much more flavor. That said, any ground meat can be used in place of the lamb, but I recommend meat that has a little fat on it.
I paired my Greek meatballs with some orzo, goddess sauce, and plenty of feta cheese. Oh, and greens too, of course.
A few notes.
Whenever I make meatballs, I always, always roast them in the oven as opposed to pan frying them. I’m pretty sure none of us wants to stand at the stove and tend to meatballs for thirty minutes. No, that is just not fun. I’ve also found that roasted meatballs just taste better. They hold their shape and never turn out dry.
Traditionally, Greek meatballs are served in or on a pita, but I was really feeling like this was a bowl kind of meal, so I decided to spread my goddess sauce (and some hummus too) inside a low bowl and pile it high with orzo, feta cheese, and plenty of greens.
Speaking of that goddess sauce. Oh my gosh. It. Is. Good. Think spoon worthy good. In fact, I sent this dish over to my parent’s house for them to try. My mom text me, asking if the green sauce was bad for her because she was literally eating the entire batch out of the bowl…all by herself. This coming from my mom means something is really, really good. She’s very much a pasta and butter kind of girl, so that fact that she loved this really says something.
Oh, and my answer to my mom’s question? No the goddess sauce is not bad for you, it’s actually great for you! I packed my goddess sauce full of avocado, yogurt, herbs, and spices. So basically it’s a super food and you should really have it on hand all times. It’s great for making salads, grain bowls, tacos, and everything in between, that much more delicious.
Just a suggestion…
What’s amazing about this recipe is that even though it’s loaded with flavor and texture, it’s actually very simple and easy to make. As mentioned, the meatballs are roasted on a baking sheet, while that’s happening you should be preparing your orzo (quinoa and couscous work great too!) and making your goddess sauce. By the time the meatballs are done cooking, everything else should be ready and all you need to do is assemble.
Simple, quick, light, healthy, delicious, and pretty much the most perfect weeknight dinner.
For real though.
Whooaaaa.
I feel like I just wrote through this post at a million miles a minute. Currently I am in GO mode, which I love, and which is the perfect way to start a Monday. I’m still on a major high from the weekend. I did an Instagram live and made my Earl Grey Blueberry Muffins from the cookbook. It was SO much fun and I Ioved getting to interact with you all, answers questions, and bake together. Best way to spend my Saturday! Excited to do more live cooking with you guys, so leave your requests in the comments, or email me!
Feeling motivated and energized for the week! OK. OKAY. And very excited to remake this recipe again tonight for dinner because I truly cannot get enough.
Greek Lamb Meatballs with Avocado Goddess Sauce
Servings: 4 servings
Calories Per Serving: 868 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground lamb, ground beef, or chicken
- 1 yellow onion, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- zest of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 cup plain hummus
- cooked orzo or couscous, for serving
- 8 ounces feta cheese, cubed or crumbled
- Persian cucumbers, arugula, tomatoes, and basil, for serving
- extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Avocado Goddess Sauce
- 1 avocado, halved
- 1/4 cup plain greek yogurt
- 1 cup fresh cilantro
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
- 1 jalapeño, halved and seeded
- juice from 1 lemon, plus more for serving
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- kosher salt
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.2. Add the lamb, onion, garlic, lemon zest, parsley, cumin, oregano, cayenne, and a pinch each of salt and pepper to a bowl. Coat your hands with a bit of olive oil, and roll the meat into 2 tablespoon size balls (will make 10-12 meatballs), placing them on the prepared baking sheet. Transfer to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the meatballs are crisp or cooked through on the inside.3. Meanwhile, make the goddess sauce. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy, adding water, 1 tablespoon at a time as needed, to thin the sauce. 4. To serve, spread the hummus and goddess sauce on plates. Add the orzo, meatballs, feta, cucumber, tomatoes, and greens. Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice lightly over top of everything. Enjoy!
SO GOOD.
This post was originally published on April 16, 2018
Call them Koftas, you’ll feel better 🙂
Thank you! xTieghan
These lamb meat balls are delicious. Didn’t have basil to add. Instead used mint and cilantro. Delicious along with the avo cream. I will make this again. I didn’t make the grain side and didn’t feel I missed it. Salad with cucumbers, radish, onions, cilantro, mint, parsley was an appropriate side. Thank you for the recipe.
Thank you for trying this Ariane! xTieghan
Can you suggest an alternative protein? My husband doesn’t like lamb.
Hey Amy! I recommend lean ground beef, ground chicken, or ground turkey. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
This was the first Half Baked Harvest recipe I’ve tried, and after dinner, I immediately went online and ordered your cookbook! Made it with pronghorn instead of lamb, as that was what we had in the freezer 🙂 Sooooooo yummy. I live in Summit County as well, so it’s nice to know we’re both probably shopping at the same less-than-awesome grocery stores, and I won’t run into anything too crazy in your ingredient lists!
Haha yes, nothing too crazy up here! But I am so glad you loved this recipe Patty!! And I hope you love the cookbook as well! Thank you so much! xTieghan
I swapped the lamb for chicken – I was not a fan, too much parsley and everything was just ‘alright’
Hi Rachel! I am sorry you did not enjoy this! Are there any questions I could answer for you? Please let me know!
Very nice meal. Will make again. Would not change anything.
Great! Thank you!
Hi! This meal was delicious! Great recipe!
Quick question, how long does the sauce last in the fridge?
Thanks!!
HI! The sauce will last 3-4 days in the fridge. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much!! xTieghan
This was fantastic! Just made tonight after seeing it was one of your top recipes. Added a jalapeño to the meatballs to make them spicy. Thanks so much!!
Thank you so much Natalie! I am so glad you loved this recipe!
The green sauce is a great alternative to tzatziki, especially when you have a ripe avocado and a bunch of rest basil in the house. Thanks!
Thank you Alex! I am so glad this turned out so well for you!
I made this for dinner tonight and it turned out fabulously-even better than expected. I did make a few tweaks-I did about 2 tbsp cumin and 3 cloves garlic in the meat, and minced the onion (it just seemed easier for me than grating). I also added 1 clove garlic to the sauce and about twice the yogurt. Served with a fig jam (fig or plum go extremely well with lamb), cucumbers, sliced bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and warmed whole grain bread. Seriously, love this recipe and I’ll be making it again! Thank you!!
I am so happy to hear that! Thank you so much Holly!
I made a double batch 2 nights ago and there were no leftovers. The green goddess sauce is to die for and we used it last night with chicken.
Thank you so much! I am so glad you loved this recipe!
I was planning on making this over the holiday weekend as it looks super light and easy! Quick question though – is the cilantro flavor in the sauce very strong? I don’t like cilantro but am willing to give it a go given that it is blended in the sauce and not served mixed in or fresh on top.
HI! It’s not too intense, but if you don’t like cilantro, try using basil. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
Just wanted to say I made this dish tonight! It was fabulous! Your mom is right I could have eaten the green goddess sauce alone. So good! I added kalamata olives and radishes since I didn’t have any greens on hand. I cannot wait to make this again. Thanks for sharing!
I am so glad you loved this! Thank you Karen!
A plate of rice with good food for a light lunch looks delicious, thanks for sharing the article
Thank you!
This recipe was amazing and we are now addicted to your site. We have made 5 recipes thus far and all are super yummy. Thanks!
I am so happy to hear that! Thank you Joseffa!