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Mediterranean Meatball Party Appetizer Recipes with Tzatziki

Picture this: a table full of friends, everyone laughing, music humming in the background, and right in the center, a platter stacked with juicy Mediterranean meatballs and a bowl of cool tzatziki. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made these for gatherings, and not once have they made it to the end of the night. They’re the kind of appetizer that disappears faster than people can say, 'pass me another one.' What I love most is that these meatballs hit that sweet spot between casual and impressive. They’re simple enough to whip up on a busy weekday but polished enough to shine at a dinner party. I’ve even made them ahead, tucked them into the fridge, and warmed them up right before guests arrive. They still taste like they came straight from the skillet. Whether you’re scrolling through appetizer recipes, testing new meatball appetizer recipes, or hunting for that one party meatballs recipe that people will remember, this is it. These meatballs belong in every list of Party Appetizer Recipes, and trust me, your friends will start asking you to bring them to every gathering. So go ahead, add this one to your stack of appetizer recipes for party nights. It’s one of those meatballs recipes that’ll quickly become part of your hosting routine.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: appetizer recipes, appetizer recipes for party, meatball appetizer recipes, Meatball Recipes, meatballs recipes, Party Appetizer Recipes, party meatballs recipe
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Camila

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef or lamb
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, grated
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Olive oil, for frying
  • Tzatziki sauce, for serving

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, parsley, garlic, onion, oregano, cumin, paprika, and egg. Season with salt and pepper.
  2. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the mixture.
  3. Roll into small bite-sized meatballs, about the size of a walnut.
  4. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and fry meatballs in batches until browned and cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  5. Transfer cooked meatballs to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
  6. Serve warm with a side of chilled tzatziki sauce.