Next Post
Zucchini, Bacon, and Pecorino Tart.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
Greek Lamb Meatballs with Avocado Goddess Sauce.
I’m just going to go out and say it, you guys, I hate the word meatball. It’s just not very cute, you know? Like MEATBALL?! Hmm, it’s so odd to me and just well, so unattractive, but I guess that’s what you call a ball of meat. Makes sense, I get it, but still, it’s just not my favorite word, especially when there are 171,476 in the English language, I mean that’s the best we could come up with?
Anyone else with me on this one?
For the longest time I really steered clear of meatballs. They never excited me and I didn’t grow up eating them, so they just weren’t something I thought I needed to make. However, in an effort to keep things fresh and new here on HBH, I try to branch out of my comfort zone and try new to me foods. Over the years I’ve slowly grown to like (some) meatballs. I’ve now made a few versions (see here, here, and also in my cookbook), but these Greek inspired lamb meatballs are so different and so delicious. Hands down these are my favorite meatball I’ve made.
These are a game changer.
PS. how many times to you think I say meatball throughout this post? YIKES.
Unlike an Italian meatball, this Greek version is made a little simpler, and a littler healthier. I use plenty of fresh herbs, lean ground lamb, and lots of lemon (because apparently I am lemon obsessed). These are quick and easy to throw together and if you’re turned off by the idea of using lamb, you really shouldn’t be! It’s a great alternative to beef and in my opinion, has so much more flavor. That said, any ground meat can be used in place of the lamb, but I recommend meat that has a little fat on it.
I paired my Greek meatballs with some orzo, goddess sauce, and plenty of feta cheese. Oh, and greens too, of course.
A few notes.
Whenever I make meatballs, I always, always roast them in the oven as opposed to pan frying them. I’m pretty sure none of us wants to stand at the stove and tend to meatballs for thirty minutes. No, that is just not fun. I’ve also found that roasted meatballs just taste better. They hold their shape and never turn out dry.
Traditionally, Greek meatballs are served in or on a pita, but I was really feeling like this was a bowl kind of meal, so I decided to spread my goddess sauce (and some hummus too) inside a low bowl and pile it high with orzo, feta cheese, and plenty of greens.
Speaking of that goddess sauce. Oh my gosh. It. Is. Good. Think spoon worthy good. In fact, I sent this dish over to my parent’s house for them to try. My mom text me, asking if the green sauce was bad for her because she was literally eating the entire batch out of the bowl…all by herself. This coming from my mom means something is really, really good. She’s very much a pasta and butter kind of girl, so that fact that she loved this really says something.
Oh, and my answer to my mom’s question? No the goddess sauce is not bad for you, it’s actually great for you! I packed my goddess sauce full of avocado, yogurt, herbs, and spices. So basically it’s a super food and you should really have it on hand all times. It’s great for making salads, grain bowls, tacos, and everything in between, that much more delicious.
Just a suggestion…
What’s amazing about this recipe is that even though it’s loaded with flavor and texture, it’s actually very simple and easy to make. As mentioned, the meatballs are roasted on a baking sheet, while that’s happening you should be preparing your orzo (quinoa and couscous work great too!) and making your goddess sauce. By the time the meatballs are done cooking, everything else should be ready and all you need to do is assemble.
Simple, quick, light, healthy, delicious, and pretty much the most perfect weeknight dinner.
For real though.
Whooaaaa.
I feel like I just wrote through this post at a million miles a minute. Currently I am in GO mode, which I love, and which is the perfect way to start a Monday. I’m still on a major high from the weekend. I did an Instagram live and made my Earl Grey Blueberry Muffins from the cookbook. It was SO much fun and I Ioved getting to interact with you all, answers questions, and bake together. Best way to spend my Saturday! Excited to do more live cooking with you guys, so leave your requests in the comments, or email me!
Feeling motivated and energized for the week! OK. OKAY. And very excited to remake this recipe again tonight for dinner because I truly cannot get enough.
Greek Lamb Meatballs with Avocado Goddess Sauce
Servings: 4 servings
Calories Per Serving: 868 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground lamb, ground beef, or chicken
- 1 yellow onion, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- zest of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 cup plain hummus
- cooked orzo or couscous, for serving
- 8 ounces feta cheese, cubed or crumbled
- Persian cucumbers, arugula, tomatoes, and basil, for serving
- extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Avocado Goddess Sauce
- 1 avocado, halved
- 1/4 cup plain greek yogurt
- 1 cup fresh cilantro
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
- 1 jalapeño, halved and seeded
- juice from 1 lemon, plus more for serving
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- kosher salt
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.2. Add the lamb, onion, garlic, lemon zest, parsley, cumin, oregano, cayenne, and a pinch each of salt and pepper to a bowl. Coat your hands with a bit of olive oil, and roll the meat into 2 tablespoon size balls (will make 10-12 meatballs), placing them on the prepared baking sheet. Transfer to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the meatballs are crisp or cooked through on the inside.3. Meanwhile, make the goddess sauce. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy, adding water, 1 tablespoon at a time as needed, to thin the sauce. 4. To serve, spread the hummus and goddess sauce on plates. Add the orzo, meatballs, feta, cucumber, tomatoes, and greens. Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice lightly over top of everything. Enjoy!
SO GOOD.
I do this recipe often, it’s absolutely delicious! I’ve done it with ground chicken, turkey, beef and now I use beyond meat so it’s easily doable for a vegetarian or even vegan as i have used coconut yogourt as well for the avocado goddess sauce. This is in our rotation for easy and tasty weeknight meals!
Thank you so much Fadia! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
I made these tonight; I mixed 1lb of lamb with 1lb of pork. I substituted coriander for cumin…They were moist and flavourful. 🙂 The green Goddess dressing was fantastic! I served this with pita, saffron orzo and arugula salad. Everyone said they would have it again.
Yes! So happy this recipe turned out so well for you, Jane! xTieghan
Wonderful staple meal for coming fall. I used only 1 tbsp of cumin and found that to be just right. Fresh mint took the place of parsley. The sauce is super delish!. I served with a salad made of arugula, roasted beets.feta, toasted hazelnuts, orange bell peppers and lemon vinaigrette. Thank you for your beautiful blog!
Thank you for trying this one! I hope you continue to love my recipes! xTieghan
I accidentally bought ground lamb instead of ground pork. I am not a huge lamb fan. We found this recipe and gave myself a pep talk, “Everything On half baked harvest is so delicious, this will be too”. Teighan, it is so good! It was also REALLY easy! Thank you!
Wow!! I am so glad this turned out so well for you, Jaime!! Thank you so much for trying this! xTieghan
I loved making new things and loved this recipeZ. However my avocado goddess was bitter? Is this the fresh basil?
Hey Deanna,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so sorry the sauce was bitter. The basil should not cause the bitterness, I am wondering if your lemon was bad or if you adjusted the recipe at all? I hope this helps for next time! xTieghan
Hi,
Do you have any idea how delicious this recipe is? The Avocado Goddess dressing is divine. I didn’t get a picture this time but will next time I make it, which will be soon. My picky eater husband loved it.
Thanks,
Erin
Haha I am so glad you loved this Erin!! Thank you so much!! xTieghan
This is the most delicious recipe and we loved it. The Avocado Goddess was divine and di Cd not go brown the next day.
Thank you for this great recipe!
Erin C.
Hi Erin! I am so happy this recipe turned out so well for you! Thank you for trying it! xTieghan
I love the recipe however is it 696 cal.
A serving??
Hi Diana,
That is estimated for the entire dish. Unfortunately this is just an estimate given by a calorie counter. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This was absolutely delicious and soo easy. Thank you so much!
Thank you Will! xTieghan
This came out AMAZING and QUICK! I’ve never made meatballs before nor any dressings (new to cooking!) and they both were fun and quick to make. And the flavor! The meatballs came out juicy and flavorful. And the dressing was yummy and already thinking of other things I can use it on. Thank you!
Wow that is so amazing! Thank you so much for trying this recipe, Yasmin! xTieghan
Last time I made these there was not enough salt from a “pinch” and really had to get creative to salvage them, everything else was delicious, though!! Especially the sauce. How much salt exactly should we add?
Hi Noopur,
It really is based on your taste, like the recipe calls for I simply use a pinch, but please add to your liking. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
We’ve made this several times and it is the most delicious dish!
That is so amazing to hear! Thank you so much Jennie! xTieghan
Excellent. Great fresh flavors. Makes a nice summer meal. Good enough for company.
Thank you so much! xTieghan
Made this for my husband and I this week. SO SO SO good. Made once before and we loved it. It’s now a go to dinner for us. This avocado goddess sauce would be good on anything. LOVE how full of herbs and flavor it is. Made a lemon couscous to go with it. LOVE LOVE LOVE this one.
Thank you so much Julie! I am so glad you both enjoyed this one so much! xTieghan
Wow. AMAZING. I loved making this.
*I modified it by:
– adding a pinch of cinnamon to the lamb
– adding fresh oregano vs dried
– adding way more basil than what was called for (ha)
– cooking pearl couscous with a half of a lemon for tang
So amazing! And thank you for sharing your modifications! So glad you loved this Maggie! xTieghan