45 Greek Meatballs in 30 minutes — yes, really!


These Greek Meatballs are made with a blend of ground beef and pork, fresh parsley, mint, and cilantro, plus warm spices like cumin, oregano, and a touch of cinnamon that give them a distinct Mediterranean flavor without being heavy.

The recipe makes about 45 meatballs in about 30 minutes using simple, budget-friendly ingredients you can find at any grocery store, which makes it a great one to batch cook for the week.

What sets these apart from a standard meatball is the combination of fresh herbs and spices — the mint and cilantro alongside the parsley add a freshness that dried herbs just can’t replicate, and the small amount of cinnamon gives the whole batch a warmth that’s hard to place but makes them taste distinctly different from anything Italian-style.

The beef and pork blend keeps them tender without needing any extra technique, and the lemon juice balances the richness so they don’t feel heavy even when you eat a few.

The process is beginner-friendly — you mix everything together with your hands, shape into balls, and cook them in batches on the stovetop in about 10 minutes. The key is not to over-mix the meat, which can make them tough, and to make sure the pan is hot enough before the meatballs go in so they get a good sear.

Since this batch makes close to 45 meatballs, they work just as well for a weeknight dinner as they do for meal prep — tuck them into wraps, serve them over rice, or set them out as an appetizer with dipping sauce.

Pin this recipe on Pinterest for later


More easy dinner ideas for you:

Real Balanced — Sara Nelson

Enjoy easy & balanced recipes — ranging from 30-minute weeknight dinners to holiday appetizers and everything in between. My goal is to make sure you can cook a successful and memorable dish every single time.

Read more from Real Balanced — Sara Nelson

If you're heading to someone else's cookout this week and need to bring something, I've got you covered. These are the dishes that travel well, come together without stress, and never make it home with leftovers. 7-Layer Dip — Ready in 25 minutes and exactly the kind of thing a crowd disappears in the first ten. Fresh Corn Salad — A bright, simple summer salad that holds up well and fits right in at any cookout spread. German Potato Salad with Bacon — Tender Yukon Golds, crispy bacon, and a...

The 4th lands on a Saturday this year, which to me is the best-case scenario — a whole afternoon to be outside, no Monday-morning scramble. My only rule for hosting on a holiday is that I'm not stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is out back, so this week's menu leans on things I can make ahead or pull together fast. Here's the easy spread I'd put out. Roast Beef Sliders — Hawaiian rolls layered with roast beef, Swiss and cheddar, and a horseradish mayo, then baked under an...

We're heading into the weekend, so here are four genuinely easy dinners worth lining up for the week ahead — all fast, and not one of them leaves you with a sink full of dishes. Air Fryer Chicken Skewers — The marinade comes together fast, the air fryer does the cooking, and cleanup stays simple. Sheet Pan General Tso's Chicken — All the bold flavor of General Tso's, with popcorn chicken and veggies roasted on one sheet pan in 30 minutes. Broccoli Cheddar Ditalini — Creamy cheddar, tender...