Description
This Mediterranean Meatball Bowl is a vibrant and flavorful meal featuring juicy herb-infused meatballs, fluffy herbed rice, a refreshing cucumber salad, and creamy tzatziki sauce. Made with fresh parsley, dill, and warm spices, this protein-packed dish is perfect for a healthy lunch, dinner, or meal prep. Whether you use beef or lamb, this easy Mediterranean recipe is a delicious and satisfying choice!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef or lamb
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for frying)
For the Herbed Rice:
- 1 cup basmati or jasmine rice
- 2 cups water or broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
For the Cucumber Salad:
- 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cucumber, grated and drained
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
1. Make the Meatballs:
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef (or lamb), red onion, garlic, parsley, dill, oregano, cumin, salt, black pepper, breadcrumbs, and egg. Mix until well combined.
- Form into small 1-inch meatballs.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook meatballs for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and fully cooked through.
2. Cook the Herbed Rice:
- Rinse the rice and add it to a pot with water, olive oil, and salt.
- Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until fluffy.
- Remove from heat and stir in fresh parsley.
3. Prepare the Cucumber Salad:
- In a bowl, mix cucumber, red onion, cherry tomatoes, parsley, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt. Toss well and set aside.
4. Make the Tzatziki Sauce:
- In a small bowl, mix Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, dill, and salt.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
5. Assemble the Bowl:
- Add a base of herbed rice to a serving bowl.
- Place the cooked meatballs on top.
- Add the cucumber salad on the side.
- Finish with a dollop of tzatziki sauce.
- Garnish with extra fresh herbs or roasted cherry tomatoes if desired.
Notes
- Swap beef or lamb for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Serve with warm pita bread or hummus for extra Mediterranean flair.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days for an easy meal prep option.
- Add a drizzle of tahini sauce for extra creaminess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: servingsMain Course, Mediterranean, Healthy Bowls
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
