These Greek Meatball Skewers are the perfect little bite for your next al fresco get together! Juicy meatballs are packed with big Greek flavors like garlic, mint, oregano, and cumin. Skewered with spicy red onion, sweet cherry tomatoes, creamy feta, and crunchy cucumber, these appetizers are fun, fancy, and so delicious. Quick question.
Do you also find that eating foods that are skewered, picked, or on-a-stick are wayyyyy more fun?
Yep! Me too. Kindred spirits, you and I.
I think it’s no big secret that I’m kinda-sorta-obsessed with Greek-inspired flavors, as exhibited here:
- Greek Zoodle Salad with Roasted Garlic Tahini Sauce
- Greek Dip
- Greek Orzo Salad with Lemony Dill Yogurt Dressing
- Greek Hummus and Tzatziki Sauce with Baked Fries
- Mediterranean Glow Bowl
- Mezze Quinoa Salad
And today is no different! These handheld appetizers are the perfect edible segway in to a fresh new season filled with al fresco gatherings and picnic get togethers!
And being that today is National Picnic Day, I couldn’t be more excited (or inspired!) to get outdoors with some friends, delicious snacks, and a beautiful bottle of wine. Over-the-top picnic basket comes highly recommended. These meatballs are so incredibly simple! Ground beef is mixed with classic Greek flavors like garlic, oregano, mint, onion, cinnamon, and cumin. Whenever I’m making a meatball that won’t be served in sauce, I like to make them using the following method:
- Give meatballs a quick sauté in a large cast iron pan, getting a nice sear on all edges. Transfer to parchment lined baking sheet.
- Finish them off in the oven until just cooked through.
Wow, 2 STEPS?!
Why yes, two steps indeed.
I like using this method because giving them this quick sear and then finishing them off in the oven allows the moisture to be retained in the meatball. Which is EXACTY what you’re going for.
Next fav part: all the Greek accoutrements that come along with the meatballs.
Choose your favorite skewer-ables, and get to threading! Feta is a non-negotiable, unless you’re lactose intolerant.
In which case I would still risk the belly ache and GO FOR IT. Feta is basically a rule in my life, so please don’t take my brashness as being inconsiderate.
Because I’m fairly certain I too am lactose intolerant. Again, #worthit.
Serve with a tzatziki dipping sauce, and nibble away!
Greek Meatball Skewers
Ingredients
For the Greek Meatballs:
- 1 lb Ground beef 85/15 preferred
- 1/4 cup yellow onion finely minced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tsp fresh oregano chopped
- 1 tsp Fresh mint, chopped
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 dash ground cinnamon
- 1 dash ground cumin
For skewer assembly:
- Feta cheese cubed
- cocktail cucumbers, sliced in to 1/2 inch coins
- cherry tomatoes
- red onion cut in to thick wedges
- Tzatziki for serving (optional)
Instructions
For the Greek Meatballs:
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Using your hands (wear gloves, if you like!) thoroughly mix ingredients until well combined. Using large ice cream scoop, scoop mixture in to balls on to a cookie sheet. Roll balls until smooth.
- In a large cast iron pan drizzled with olive oil, heat over medium heat. Add meatballs to pan, being careful to not overcrowd. Cook for about 4 minutes, moving meatballs around to ensure all sides are seared. Transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.
For skewer assembly:
- Meanwhile, prep all of your other ingredients for the skewers.
- When ready to assemble, thread one meatball on to a skewer, followed by your remaining ingredients. Serve arranged on a platter, with tzatziki for dipping!