Pan-Seared Greek Keftedes with Mint and Oregano

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-17 · Updated 2026-05-17

Juicy Greek meatballs flavored with fresh mint and oregano, pan-seared to a golden crust and perfect as an appetizer or main dish. This Greek recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs ground beef, ground pork, fresh mint leaves 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 beef
• 1/2 lb ground pork
• 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh mint leaves
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 small, finely grated yellow onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup stale bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 3 tbsp for frying olive oil

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, soak 1/2 cup stale bread crumbs in 1/4 cup whole milk and set aside for 5 minutes until softened.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 lb ground pork, 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh mint leaves, 1 tbsp dried oregano, 1 small finely grated yellow onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, soaked bread crumbs with milk, 1 large egg, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until evenly combined.
3. Step 3: Shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs and set them on a plate.
4. Step 4: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the meatballs in batches, cooking for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, turning carefully with tongs.
5. Step 5: Remove meatballs to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil, then serve warm with tzatziki or lemon wedges.