Pan-Fried Greek Keftedes with Fresh Herbs

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-16 · Updated 2026-05-16

Juicy Greek meatballs infused with fresh mint and parsley, pan-fried to a golden crust and perfect served with tzatziki or lemon wedges. This Greek recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs ground beef, ground pork, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, 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 beef
• 1/2 lb ground pork
• 1 medium, finely grated onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint leaves
• 3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup for frying olive oil

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, soak 1/2 cup bread crumbs in 1/4 cup milk for 5 minutes until softened. Add 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 lb ground pork, 1 finely grated medium onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint leaves, and 3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley to the bowl.
2. Step 2: Crack 1 large egg into the mixture, then sprinkle 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix everything gently with your hands until combined but not overworked.
3. Step 3: Form the mixture into small meatballs about 1.5 inches in diameter. Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
4. Step 4: Fry the meatballs in batches for 3-4 minutes per side, turning carefully, until golden brown and cooked through, about 12 minutes total. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve warm with lemon wedges or tzatziki sauce.