Middle Eastern Meatballs
If you've got 93% lean ground beef, cooked brown rice and fresh cilantro, you're most of the way to this beef: about 65 minutes of cooking across 7 steps. Scroll down for the ingredient checklist, a serving scaler and unit converter, and the method broken into 7 steps.
You'll mainly reach for frying pan / skillet. At medium difficulty across 7 steps, it's manageable with a little attention.
What you'll need
Shopping list (5)
Pantry staples (you likely have these)
Diet: contains meat, based on every ingredient listed below.
Contains: Dairy
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Food-safety and allergen information is general, not medical advice. Follow current guidance from your local food-safety authority, verify product labels, and seek qualified advice for allergies or health conditions.
How to make it
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, cooked brown rice, finely chopped onion, chopped cilantro, one minced garlic clove, cumin, salt, and black pepper, mixing gently with your hands until just combined.
- Roll the mixture into about 16 evenly sized meatballs, roughly 1 1/2 inches across, and place them on a tray.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add the meatballs in a single layer, turning occasionally to brown them on all sides, about 8 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and cook for another 8 to 10 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 160 F (71 C).
- While the meatballs cook, stir together the yogurt, remaining minced garlic clove, crushed dried mint, and a pinch of salt to make a cool sauce.
- Transfer the cooked meatballs to a serving plate and let them rest for a couple of minutes.
- Spoon the minted yogurt sauce over the meatballs or serve it alongside for dipping, garnishing with extra cilantro if desired.
You'll use: Frying pan / skillet
Tips & common questions
How long does Middle Eastern Meatballs take to make?
About 65 minutes from start to finish β an estimate based on the 7 steps and 11 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes β use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.
How should I store leftovers?
Cool leftovers quickly, refrigerate in an airtight container, and eat within 3 days. Reheat until piping hot throughout.
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Adapted recipe β rewritten in our own wording from an open-licensed community cookbook, not yet independently kitchen-tested by Consomee. How we source, test & correct recipes.
Middle Eastern Meatballs is adapted by Consomee from the Wikibooks Cookbook, rewritten in our own wording and used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo: Kofta Curry (cropped).JPG (CC0) via Wikimedia Commons. We add the serving scaler, ingredient tools, timing and structure β how we source recipes.