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Keftedes in Lemon Sauce Recipe

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4.4 from 10 reviews

Keftedes in Lemon Sauce is a classic Greek dish featuring tender, flavorful ground beef meatballs simmered in a fragrant and tangy lemon-infused sauce. The meatballs are browned to perfection then gently cooked in a buttery, garlicky lemon sauce that perfectly balances richness and acidity. This recipe yields 15 succulent meatballs, perfect for serving as a comforting main course alongside rice, roasted potatoes, or crusty bread.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 15 meatballs

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 600 grams (1.3 pounds) ground beef
  • 1 large egg
  • 100 grams (3.5 ounces) crustless bread
  • 4 tablespoons beef stock
  • 100 grams (½ cup) onion, minced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano, plus extra for serving
  • 2 tablespoons dried parsley or fresh minced parsley
  • Fine sea salt, to taste
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, plus extra for the sauce
  • All-purpose flour, for coating
  • Olive oil, for frying

Lemon Sauce

  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped or minced
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups (500 ml) hot water or stock (vegetable, beef, or chicken)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 5–6 tablespoons lemon juice
  • Fine sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the meatballs: Soak the crustless bread in cold water, tear it into smaller pieces, and let it soak for a few minutes until soft. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, egg, minced parsley, oregano, cumin, onion, garlic, salt, and black pepper. Squeeze the soaked bread to remove excess water and add it to the mixture. Knead everything together for 2-3 minutes until fully combined. Shape the mixture into 15 oval-shaped meatballs, each weighing about 65-70 grams. Place them on a large plate and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up. Heat a generous splash of olive oil in a sauté or frying pan. Coat each meatball lightly in flour, shaking off excess, then sear them over medium heat until browned on both sides, about 3-4 minutes on the first side without disturbing, then carefully turn with forks. Transfer the browned meatballs to paper towels to drain excess oil.
  2. Make the lemon sauce: In the same pan (no need to wash, just remove any leftover browned bits), melt the butter over low heat. Sauté the minced garlic until soft and fragrant. Add the flour and increase heat to medium, stirring continuously until the mixture turns sandy in color and gives off a toasted aroma. Gradually pour in the hot water or stock, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Add the bay leaf and season with salt and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
  3. Simmer the meatballs in sauce: Add the seared meatballs back into the pan and cover with a lid. Let them simmer gently for about 20 minutes, turning the meatballs once halfway through, and scraping the bottom of the pan to prevent sticking. Taste the sauce and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Stir in the lemon juice and cook for another minute until the lemon flavor is well incorporated.
  4. Serve: Serve the keftedes warm, sprinkled with extra freshly ground black pepper and dried oregano. Spoon the lemon sauce generously over the meatballs and accompany with sides like rice, roasted potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Notes

  • Soaking the bread in water helps keep the meatballs tender and moist.
  • Chilling the shaped meatballs before cooking helps them hold their shape during frying and simmering.
  • Searing the meatballs first creates a delicious crust and adds flavor to the sauce through the browned bits left in the pan.
  • You can use vegetable, chicken, or beef stock for the sauce depending on your preference and dietary needs.
  • Adjust lemon juice quantity based on your desired level of tanginess.
  • The meatballs can be made ahead and refrigerated before cooking, making this recipe convenient for preparation in advance.
  • Author: Maya
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Greek

Find it online: https://recipeteach.com/keftedes-in-lemon-sauce-recipe/