These Onion & Herb Greek Meatballs are full of flavor and perfect over a bed of fluffy rice with a fresh chopped salad.
I don’t know about you, but I’m so not here for ridiculous new year’s resolutions this year.
Not only do you not need to make any grand goals just because it’s a new year, but also you don’t need drastically change your diet or your body.
The new year has a way of making us feel like we need to “fix” something. But can I tell you something as a dietitian?
January 1st, 2024 was just another day. And you don’t need to drastically change the way that you look or eat just because the year changed.
Instead of focusing on diets or unrealistic goals, I recommend focusing on a healthy relationship with food.
This is a relationship where you enjoy food and it doesn’t cause stress or guilt.
Not only is this kind of food freedom really freeing, but it’s also an important part of health. Because you can’t be healthy overall if you’re unnecessarily or constantly stressed about food.
As part of a healthy relationship with food, I always like to look at what you can add to your diet.
More vegetables? More protein? More foods you actually like the taste of? All great things to aim for.
If you’re looking to cook more or add more easy weeknight recipes into the mix, these Greek Meatballs are perfect for you.
They use ground beef, plus my favorite Pete & Gerry’s eggs as a great source of protein. I love their organic eggs because they not only offer the most humane treatment for the hens, but also, are the highest quality eggs.
And eggs are such a budget-friendly and fantastic way to add protein, unsaturated fats, and choline to your diet. There are so many ways to use them – beyond just fried or scrambled eggs!
This recipe is also loaded with flavor, thanks to aromatics like grated onion, plenty of fresh herbs, and delicious breadcrumbs.
I recommend pairing it over a bed of fluffy brown or white rice with a chopped Greek salad. I made mine with chopped tomato, cucumber, red onion, olive oil, lemon, and salt. You can also add thinly sliced green bell peppers, kalamata olives, and feta cheese.
Add some tzatziki or hummus to dip everything in, and you’ve got the most delicious meal in no time.
Preheat oven & chop veggies
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Prep and chop the veggies.
Mix the ingredients
In a large bowl, add the egg, onion, breadcrumbs, herbs, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
Add ground beef & roll into balls
Add in the ground beef and mix until well combined (I find this easiest to do with your hands. Just wash well before and after!).
Roll the mixture into balls – about the size that will fit in your palm – and place on a plate. You will have about 12-15 meatballs. Set aside.
Cook meatballs until golden
Add the oil to a large skillet over medium high heat. Once hot, add the meatballs and let cook for a few minutes on each side until golden.
Transfer the meatballs to a baking sheet and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until an internal temperature of 160 F is reached.
Serve & enjoy
Serve over rice with salad or as desired. Add fresh herbs to garnish!
Ingredients
- 1 Pete & Gerry’s Organic egg
- ¼ large red onion grated
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley finely chopped
- 1 lb ground beef I used 95% lean
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- For serving: rice chopped salad, tzatziki or hummus, and fresh herbs to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Prep and chop the veggies.
- In a large bowl, add the egg, onion, breadcrumbs, herbs, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Add in the ground beef and mix until well combined (I find this easiest to do with your hands. Just wash well before and after!).
- Roll the mixture into balls – about the size that will fit in your palm – and place on a plate. You will have about 12-15 meatballs. Set aside.
- Add the oil to a large skillet over medium high heat. Once hot, add the meatballs and let cook for a few minutes on each side until golden.
- Transfer the meatballs to a baking sheet and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until an internal temperature of 160 F is reached.
- Serve over rice with salad or as desired. Add fresh herbs to garnish!
