Juicy oven-baked Greek meatballs seasoned with herbs and spices, served over fluffy pearl couscous and topped with a refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce—this Mediterranean-inspired meal is light, flavorful, and weeknight-friendly!
Greek Meatballs with Homemade Tzatziki
Juicy oven-baked Greek meatballs seasoned with herbs and spices, served over fluffy pearl couscous and topped with a refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce—this Mediterranean-inspired meal is light, flavorful, and weeknight-friendly!
Ingredients
For the Greek Meatballs
- 1/2 lemon juiced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 large egg beaten
- Olive oil for cooking
For the Pearl Couscous
- 1 cup pearl couscous
- 1.5 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- Salt to taste
For the Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cucumber peeled and grated
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill chopped
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Squeeze of lemon juice optional
For the Tomato and Cucumber Salad (optional)
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes quartered
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef with breadcrumbs, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried mint, ground cumin, salt, pepper, and beaten egg. Mix until well combined.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper then shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and bake for 16-18 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through.
- While the meatballs are baking, prepare the couscous. In a medium saucepan, bring the broth to a boil. Add the pearl couscous and a pinch of salt. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the pearl couscous is tender and has absorbed the liquid.
- For the tzatziki sauce, in a bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, finely chopped cucumber, minced garlic, chopped dill, olive oil, salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice if desired. Mix well.
- For the cucumber and tomato salad, in a bowl, combine the cucumber, tomatoes, olive oil, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Serve the Greek meatballs over a bed of pearl couscous with the cucumber and tomato salad on the side and drizzle with tzatziki sauce.
- Garnish with additional fresh dill and serve immediately.
