Enjoy the Greek flavor you love in these fun, easy to make, Gyro Meatballs! Made using a combo of ground lamb and beef, these balls are so good, you’ll say, ¡OPA!
I could seriously eat Greek food everyday, and gyro meat every other day (on the alternate days, give me souvlaki, plz) but also that gets expensive, so making my own Greek-inspired comfort food is the way to go.
Living in Tampa, I’m not very far from the city of Tarpon Springs, which has a huge Greek population and culture, so knowing what delicious, authentic Greek food is, as well as Greek-American food is in part of my life. I also went to high school in Tarpon Springs. So when I say I could eat it everyday, I’m not kidding.
Greek food has so much lemony, dilly flavor! I love it all. I especially love gyros – but not the sandwich you’re probably thinking of. I’m talking about the gyro meat in general, made on a spit, served on a platter with a fresh Greek side salad, tzatziki sauce, with a side of rice. This is the gyro I legit want as my last supper someday.
Lamb is a fattier protein, so I like to combine my Gyro Meatballs with a pound of lean ground beef. The beef will help absorb the fat, so there’s flavor all around. These Gyro Meatballs are baked in the oven, and can be made ahead for meal prep, or served straight out of the oven. They freeze well, and would make a great party app or tailgate treat – seriously, show up with a platter of these Baked Gyro Meatballs, and watch them go.
I like to occasionally serve with a side of Lemon Rice , but if you’re watching your carbs, or on a Whole 30, you can omit altogether.
So usually I combine all my meatball ingredients together, and then form into balls before baking – but when I made these Greek Meatballs, I used the food processor to combine everything together, and now that’s the only way I will prep meatballs – everything comes together, all the fresh herbs are chopped nicely, and the balls form a lot easier. If you’ve never prepped homemade meatballs before, try I T.
items used to make this recipe:
Ingredients
gyro meatballs
- 1 lb ground lamb
- 1 lb ground beef - I used 90/10
- 1 egg, whisked
- 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablesoon dried dill spice
- juice of 1 lemon
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoon pepper
lemon rice
- 2 cups rice of choice, cooked to package directions
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- juice of 2 fresh lemons
- lemon zest, to taste - 1/2 - 1 whole lemon
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon oregano
Instructions
gyro meatballs
- Preheat oven to 400F degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper (or foil, and non-stick spray.
- To a food processor, combine all meatball ingredients. Form mixture into approx 1 inch balls
- Arrange meatballs on baking sheet. Cook 20-25 minutes, depending on your oven.
- Remove from oven, and let rest 5 minutes before serving. Makes approx 35-40 meatballs.
lemon rice
- While meatballs bake, cook rice to package instructions.
- Once done, combine remaining ingredients and pour slowly over rice while fluffing with a fork. Add more lemon juice a little at a time if needed.
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Looks like a great light supper!
YUM! This all looks delish and even more excited for My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 😀
I agree with you- I could eat this everyday too! Your recipe looks awesome and so do the pics!
These look amazing! I’ve never cooked with ground lamb before and didn’t know it exists. I will look out for it next time I’m at the grocery store because I love traditional lamb gyros.
Here is something I can do with the 4lbs of ground lamb I just bought. Me love gyros!
I am coming over for dinner then!
These sound wonderful! What a great idea when you want the flavors of a gyro but don’t want all the work of making true gyro meat!
Yup, totally pinning this to make later! I LOVE Greek food and this sounds so amazing! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
Definitely need to give this recipe a try!! I love gyro’s!! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
What a clever take on the gyro! I might have to have this every day for lunch!!!!
Your photos certainly are an inspiration to try the rice and gyro meatballs. And your enthusiasm for Greek food makes me want to venture out more =) Thanks so much for hosting today’s fun Sunday Supper, Nichole.
I absolutely love gyro sandwiches, and would love to try these meatballs. I have a party coming up soon, and these would be perfect. Thanks so much for hosting us this week – I really appreciate all the work you did for us!
Thanks so much for hosting us this busy holiday weekend, Nicole! I love your gyros meatballs—I know my family would love these gems!
Serving gryo meatballs over lemon rice is just genius!
Thanks, Kristen!
LOVE these meatballs! And Lemon rice = YUM!
I agree, lemon rice was the way to go in this yummy dish!
I LOVE gyros and the leon rice my neighbourhood Greek place has, I can’t wait to make this!
That looks incredible and now I am hungry! I can’t wait to see the movie, the original is one of my favorites.
Thanks, Tracy! They are soooo good!
Love the flavor combination you have there with the lemon rice, tzatziki and garlicky meatballs, Nichole! Perfect for movie night, whatever the movie. Thanks so much for hosting this week!
Thanks, Stacy!
Next to Greek salad, Gyros are my favorite Greek food. I love the idea of Gyro Meatballs. I make meatballs every month to keep on hand in the freezer for quick meals. I am definitely going to add your version to the mix this coming month. Thanks for hosting this week!
I like to make meatballs to have on hand for the month too – you’ll love these Gyro Meatballs, then! Enjoy 🙂
I have not seen #2 but I hope to watch it this week! Love your meatballs and how you’ve served them! Enjoy your day with your family and friends and thank you SO much for hosting!