Baked Lamb Keftedes with Tzatziki Drizzle
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.
Ingredients
- 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
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 medium, peeled and grated cucumber
- 1 minced garlic clove
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 4: Serve the baked lamb keftedes warm drizzled generously with the tzatziki sauce.
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.
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