Mediterranean Meatballs (Spinach and Feta Keftedes)
I have many meatball recipes but this happens to be a favorite. I’ve also formed these into burger patties and they are for sure a crowd pleaser.
You can use any type of ground meat here. I love them with ground lamb, beef, pork and chicken. You can also fry them in a pan with some olive oil, in lieu of baking. Either way, they will put a smile on your face. The must make accompaniment is my Tsatziki sauce. Do they need it? No. But it really takes the dish to the next level and is easy to whip up, so why not?
If you like this recipe, you might want to try my Soutzoukakia (Baked Greek Meatballs with Potatoes) or my Easy Chicken Pesto Meatballs.
Thank you for swinging by Hungry Happens! If you make this recipe or any other on the site, we would greatly appreciate you commenting and rating the dish. LOVE YOUR LIFE!
Mediterranean Meatballs (Spinach and Feta Keftedes)
Ingredients
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1.5 cups baby spinach, chopped (3.5 cups whole)
- 1 small bunch fresh mint, chopped
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 lbs ground turkey
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- salt + pepper to taste
- 2/3 cup feta, cubed small
- Tzatziki
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix together the beaten eggs, chopped baby spinach, mint, onion and garlic. Toss in the meat, breadcrumbs, salt + pepper to taste and feta. Gently combine everything. Form medium sized meatballs.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 F.
Where is the recipe for tzatziki sauce? I searched for it on this site and could not find it.
Hello! I have included it in the notes in the Recipe Box above. I will be posting it on its own dedicated page shortly. Thank you for pointing it out and enjoy!
Stella
Hi Stella! Where is the recipe for the side zucchini noodles?
Also, I tried to pin the recipe, but it didn’t save it. Looks like it tried loading Pinterest, but it didn’t save☹️
HI Ellen, just saute some zoodles in butter , season with salt pepper garlic powder and onion powder – but do it quickly for like 1-2 minutes tops. or else they will get mushy!
I made them with ground beef, because turkey isn’t as readily available where I live. Also, my measurements were way off, because we also use the metric system where I’m from, hahaha! Still, I really really liked them. I personally thought they were even better on the second day I ate them.
Hi Lina, For sure any meat works great with the feta cheese! And yes, the metric system conversion can be difficult. I love it when leftovers top the original dish! Thanks for taking the time to rate and comment!!
These look delicious!
If I want to cut this recipe in half and just use 1lb of meat, do I just cut all the other measurements in half? Like 1 egg instead of 2? Thanks!!
Hi Jess! Yes, you can absolutely halve the recipe exactly as you described.
Hi! What is a good pasta sauce to have with these meatballs? Preferably wheat pasta as opposed to zoodles.
Thank you:)
Hi Kaylee, I would do red sauce or pesto here!
Delicious
Hi Ashley, glad you liked em!
SO GOOD! I made these along with your Maporizo (equally amazing) recipe and it was the best dinner I’ve had in a while. Super easy, yet something out of the ordinary (at least for me) to have for dinner! It took everything in me not to eat the whole tray while I was waiting for the rice to be done!
Hi Lauren! LOl I know the feeling! When something is yummy I struggle to keep my hands off it! I’m very happy you enjoyed both dishes and I thank you for taking the time to comment and rate! Cheers!!
I Love this recipe!!
Delicious!
Super good Mediterranean recipe! I had it over zucchini noodles and my fiancé had it over regular noodles! We both went back for seconds! So good, I will be making this every week!
Hi Caroline! Glad you both liked the dish! Thank you for taking the time to rate it too! Enjoy!!
I used beef for the meatballs and followed your tzatziki recipe to a tee! Soooo yummy
Hi Marlow! YES
Can these be frozen after they’ve been cooked?
What is the serving size?
Hi Cara, Serving for me is about 3-4 meatballs. Depends on how big you make them!
Cooked them in the air fryer and they made a great appetizer with tzatziki on the side.
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing the tip!
Just made these meatballs – they are so delicious!
Thank you for posting
Hi Ona! Its my pleasure and thank you for trying out the recipe!
Love this recipe. Easy and extremely flavorful!
Hi Wendy! Glad they were enjoyed!!
Delicious and very easy to make. Super soft and tasty. Next time I’ll grate some haloumi and add to the mixture and make them more cheesy! 😋
Love love this meatball recipe. I did substitute turkey for beyond beef and the feta for dairy free feta, simply amazing!
THank you for trying this dish out and I’m glad you were able to modify it and enjoy it!
Delicious! Easy recipe
Made these smaller to serve as cocktail meatballs with tzatziki. Definitely a keeper!
Excellent! Loved by all. Will remake again and again. Would be great as cocktail meatballs too.
Love these! New staple!
Hi Randi, perfect! Thanks for trying them!
Absolutely incredible!!! So simple to make fast and delicious! Even my picky boyfriend loved these!!! Will be adding these in the meal rotation.
Hi Sara, I’m glad you guys enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment!
can I use almond flores insted of breadcrumb?
Yes! You can use almond flour or rolled oats!
If I use rolled oats do I need to pulse in food processor first?
Forgot to say, you are my very fave food blogger/recipe source! ❤️
Hi Lindy, thank you so much! You can pulse them into more of a Quick Oats texture/consistency if you like but its not necessary. ENJOY!!
love all your recipes. is there any ideas you have for substituting the bread crumbs? wld almond flour work or anything like that? I’m supposed to limit bread right now 😔
Thank you very much! Yes, almond flour or rolled oats would work!
thank u! I make so many of ur recipes now, especially love the crispy shrimp seaweed paper one! love it
What would you serve with these?
Hi Holly, i would do rice and a salad here!
Can you use an air fryer for these meatballs?
Hi Lynn, absolutely !
These are delicious!! I used beef and lamb and my family thought they were incredible! My Italian dad commented, “These are better than Italian meatballs.” Definitely a keeper. I made the tsatziki sauce with them – perfect!!
Hi Laura, Well that is the BEST compliment ever! You know they’re awesome when dad loves them!!
Heavenly Recipe I grind my own chicken and used that for the meatballs they came out so great i also made the traziti sauce to go with it !!! again best meal for the week,
Thanks!
i love your blog!!
Hi Jennifer, YOU ROCK! Thanks for the compliment and supporting the website! I’m happy you’re enjoying the dishes!!!
Bravo!!! Efharisto!!!
Made these tonight for the first time. They were so incredibly good. I used chicken and I added some chopped fresh dill and grated lemon zest. I baked them and I loved how crispy the bottoms got. Looking forward to leftovers tomorrow!
These are awesome and they freeze beautifully. I needed something quick and pulled some out of the freezer and served them with the yogurt sauce and a Greek chop salad. Everyone wa so happy and impressed.
I made this tonight. Love the recipe! Making this reminded me to call my Yiayia!
About to make this for the 2nd time. I used ground chicken – been using that more lately. Love your healthier & simplified versions of traditional greek dishes. Thank you!
My family loves this one too
These meatballs were amazing! I left out the mint because I don’t have mint lovers in the house. My sons loved them and went back for seconds…they were skeptical with them being turkey and not beef. Tested the left overs out with two friends and they were equally impressed and asked for the recipe.
Are they still good if you leave out the mint ?
YESSSS – or sub in parsley or dill or leave it out!
This is the best recipe. We have it on repeat at our house.
So delicious and so easy!
Hi Penny, glad you liked them! Thank you for the kind rating!
simply amazing and SO easy to make. I will be making these once a week
Oh my God @5pm had no idea what to make for dinner & my husband was on his way home from work when I remembered seeing this recipe video. Had most of the ingredients and through it together. It was so easy and even more delicious than I expected! Thank You Thank You this will be on rotation. 🥳 Delicious oh And I made the tzatziki too!😘
Hi Jeanie, AWESSOME! Glad to see you both enjoyed these and thanks for taking the time to rate!
I don’t want to use breadcrumbs. Can I leave out or use something else with no wheat? Wanna make these now!
Hi Kathy. You can use almond flour or quick oats instead of breadcrumbs. Or pork rind crumbs 💙
Just made these! Ready to go in airfryer! Just left out mint and put mixed herbs! Can’t wait to eat them. Yummm
what kind of breadcrumbs did you use?
Hi Sue, I typically use trader joe’s plain breadcrumbs.
I just started following you recently and these were the first things I made tonight w the tsaziki they came out amazing thank you!! My husband is the chef usually but these recipes inspired me to try something & he said he could get used to this! 😆
Hi Jennifer and welcome!
glad you enjoyed the meatballs and hope you enjoy everything you create! Thanks so much for reviewing the dish too!
Wow, these were excellent, they are definitely going into our rotation! Thank you for sharing this recipe.
So delicious, I made these with lamb mince. My husband reckons that this recipe is better than our local Greek restaurants’ meatballs 💖💖💖
This recipe is a keeper! Followed exactly added a little dill because I had it. Very tasty!
Listen, I am Greek and on a gluten dairy free diet ..
I made these with gluten free Panko and vegan feta And for followed the recipe to the 9’s .
This is the best, I mean most delicious version I have ever made .. seriously ,
Amazing 🤩 my husband raved and he doesn’t like anything healthy .
I love this and can’t wait to try more recipes ! I found you on TikTok, and so thankful I did.
Made these last night with ground chicken and they were amazing! I cut the recipe in half since I only had a pound of the chicken. I served them with your tzatziki sauce and a side of your Maroulosalata recipe, which made for a delicious and healthy dinner. Definitely trying more of your recipes. You have a fan here in beautiful Puerto Rico!
Easy prep and tasted delicious! Would definitely recommend and make again.
Just the right combination of flavors! Great as an appetizer dipped in hummus or tzatziki, or in a pita wrap!
Thanks, now I know what to do with the frozen turkey breast. Going to run it through the meat grinder and make meatballs. They sound delicious
Made these today for dinner, came out really good! I left out the breadcrumbs (I know makes them less authentic, my baba told me) but they still came out great! The recipe is easy to follow and comes together quickly. I used a little more turkey because I have 4 children so I just increased everything else accordingly. Also used Stella’s recipe for tzatziki and I highly recommend for everyone to make it!
Hi Jade, thank you so much for the kind feedback and sharing your tips with us! Super helpful!
Loved these keftedes, easy to make and so flavourful. Will be making them smaller next time and have then as nibbles for drinks, yum
Perfect idea to have them as appetizer! Thank you for the feedback!
These are my go to !!
I sub spinach sometimes with Bella mushrooms or cabbage chopped in food processor & add lots of Greek oregano especially with ground turkey .
My husband loved them so much he wanted to know how to make them!
The mint is the key it really pops in this recipe.