So, I have been wanting to share this recipe with you for ages. Ever since I posted the homemade pita bread recipe. Because when I made those pitas, we used them for this meatball souvlaki. But….the photos I took of this recipe were pretty awful and you couldn’t even really tell what it was, let alone think it looked like something you’d want to make. And I certainly couldn’t have that, so it needed to wait until we ate it again.
And that day is today. Well, a couple of weeks ago really, but the day I’m finally sharing it with you is today. And you should most definitely go make it soon. Don’t wait, because this meal is seriously one of my family’s favourite meals. This is one that actually IS in the regular rotation around here. Unlike a lot of meals that get made a number of times and then kind of forgotten about (oh the joys of living with a food blogger!), I’ve been making this one for years.
And I have no plans to stop. It’s too good. Plus, how many meals are there where absolutely everyone at the table is excited to eat it, there’s no whining about not liking something, and everyone fights over the leftovers for lunch? Not many. In case you wondered. Or at least, there’s not many of those meals in my house. Maybe your family is less picky and everyone likes everything, in which case don’t tell me because I will envy you that joy. But even so, you should make this, because it’s amazing.
Juicy meatballs, fresh veggies, homemade tzatziki sauce, all stuffed into a fresh pita pocket. It doesn’t get a lot better than that. Except it kind of does, because it’s also good cold as lunch the next day, and the meatballs freeze really well. So you can make a double batch and freeze half for a really fast meal on a busy night, which is what I generally do. In fact, that’s what I did this time, and these photos are from the second meal that was straight from the freezer. This took less than 15 minutes to get on the table, and that’s only because I needed to chop up the veggies and mix up some tzatziki, which was easily accomplished while the meatballs defrosted.
It definitely doesn’t get any better than that.
Meatball Souvlaki
*Note:* The meatballs freeze really well for a quick meal another night if you want to make a double batch. Just allow them to cool completely after cooking and then freeze in an airtight container or a ziplock bag. Defrost in the fridge overnight and reheat in the oven, or if you're grabbing them at the last minute, just defrost them in the microwave at a low power for 5-10 minutes (generally what I do because I'm terrible at planning ahead!).
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 1/2 lb (225g) lean ground beef
- 1/2 lb (225g) ground turkey
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
For the tzatziki sauce:
- 1/2 cup English cucumber, chopped fine (unpeeled)
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
- salt and pepper to taste
For the toppings:
- whole wheat pita bread
- green leaf lettuce
- red onion, chopped
- tomatoes, chopped
- cucumber, chopped
- bell pepper, chopped (any colour)
- feta cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, ground turkey, egg, bread crumbs, dijon mustard, oregano, basil, salt and pepper until well combined. Roll the mixture into meatballs (about 20-24) and place them on a broiler pan lightly sprayed with cooking spray. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes until cooked through.
- While the meatballs are cooking, whisk together the chopped cucumber, Greek yogurt, garlic and dill in a small bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste and cover and refrigerate until ready to eat.
- Prepare the toppings and serve the hot meatballs in pita bread with the tzatziki and toppings. The meatballs also freeze well after baking so I often make a double batch of the meatballs when making this meal and freeze half for another night. Just allow them to cool completely and then freeze in a large ziplock bag.
Notes
Source: Adapted from The Healthy Family.
Oh man this looks so good. I’m coming over to your house for dinner k!! Love that you made a homemade tzatziki sauce too!! 🙂
Anytime Cyndi! 🙂 Thanks!
Gah! I LOVE souvlaki and tzaziki!! I adore that you turned this into meatballs! Because meatball shaped anything is always better! Such a clever idea! My husband and I will often eat different things for dinner, so I totally feel you on the picky pain in th butt meals! I can definitely believe everyone LOVED these! Cheers and thanks for sharing the yum!
Thanks Cheyanne! Meals everyone loves are just the best aren’t they, love it when there’s no one unhappy about what’s for supper! 🙂 And meatball anything IS awesome!
I can totally see why you this is such a hit, it looks so flavorful and delicious! Love that you can freeze the meatballs too. The homemade tzatziki sauce sounds perfect!
Tzatziki is one of my favourites, so much flavour and so healthy! Thanks Kelly!
That stuffed pita bread to the brim with delicious meatballs and tzatziki sauce is what a heavenly lunch must look like, I wish I can eat one right this moment.
It’s the best lunch, I love it when there’s leftovers of this! Thanks so much Katalina!
I made your pita bread and really loved it! It was very easy! Can’t wait to try this souvlaki, too! Pinned!
So glad you liked it Mira! Thanks for telling me! Hope you like the souvlaki too, we love it! 🙂
I love these meatballs!! this is Greek right?! I can see why this is one of your family’s favorite meals! delicious!
Yep, Greek flavours for sure, and we love it! Thanks Alice!
You’ve been getting your middle eastern foods on lately and rocking it! I love repurposing food, too. Saves time, money, and sanity. Plus, it stretches the creativity. This looks great!
Thanks Mir! Funny, I didn’t even realize that I did a few middle eastern things in a row till you said that! Decided I should probably leave off posting a third this week and save that for next week! 🙂 Clearly I get obsessed with things!
This totally looks like my kind of meal!!! I love all the flavors and meatballs do it for me every time! YUM!
Meatballs are just so good aren’t they? I love them too, plus the kids think they’re fun so that’s a bonus! 🙂 Thanks Cathy!
This dish looks mouthwatering, Stacey! I love all of the ingredients in here. Its packed full of flavor. And I’m loving that tzatziki sauce, too!
I can see why you would want to devour this meal again…it sounds so tasty!
OH.. this just sounds delicious! Anything with slathered in tzatziki sauce is a winner in my book! Can’t wait to give these a try!
Mine too, I love tzatziki sauce! Thanks Krista!
The perfect lunch! Looks amazing!
Avocado Hummus – My first thought was – I’m the only one that will like it then read your comment and am on my way to buy the ingredients, sounds great. Going to a Birthday party tomorrow I think the girls will like it.
Hope everyone likes it! Thanks Louise!
Oh my goodness, this recipe looks SOOO good! I love that the meatballs are freezable too! Major bonus. Pinning for later!
I love being able to make a double recipe of something and freeze half for a quick meal, such a bonus! Thanks Justine!
I had never heard of souvlaki before, but this looks so good! Love the tzatziki sauce, especially!!
It’s so true, there are very few recipes that we get to eat again and again at my house…I’m always testing the next one! These look delicious, and the fact that you’ve been making them for so long has totally convinced me that they must be pretty delicious!
Totally the way it goes once you start a blog hey? Our poor families! 🙂 Thanks Denise!
I LOVE tzatziki sauce, this sounds yum!
I do too, I put it on everything I can think of when I have some! Thanks Manali!
Yum! Love that homemade tzatziki!