Baked Lamb Keftedes with Tzatziki Drizzle

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy Greek lamb meatballs baked to perfection and served with a refreshing cucumber-yogurt tzatziki sauce. This greek-inspired lamb (mediterranean) ready in about 40 minutes pairs ground lamb, small, finely grated white onion, chopped fresh parsley for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Greek cuisine 350 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground lamb, 1 small finely grated white onion, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/4 cup bread crumbs, and 1 large egg. Mix thoroughly with your hands until evenly combined.
  2. Step 2: Shape the lamb mixture into 16 meatballs about 1.5 inches in diameter and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil evenly over the meatballs. Bake for 20-25 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: While the meatballs bake, prepare the tzatziki by squeezing excess liquid from 1/2 medium peeled and grated cucumber, then combine it with 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill in a bowl. Stir well and season with a pinch of salt.
  4. Step 4: Serve the baked lamb keftedes warm drizzled generously with the tzatziki sauce.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Lamb Keftedes with Tzatziki Drizzle take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Baked Lamb Keftedes with Tzatziki Drizzle?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground lamb from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Lamb Keftedes with Tzatziki Drizzle?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Baked Lamb Keftedes with Tzatziki Drizzle for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Baked Lamb Keftedes with Tzatziki Drizzle?

Greek lamb like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes