These Greek ground beef recipes are like grabbing a ticket to the Mediterranean without leaving your kitchen!
Fresh veggies, aromatic herbs, and hearty beef come together in dishes that celebrate Grecian goodness.
Vibrant and bursting with traditional charm, each bite offers a delectable escape. Whether you’re rekindling old travel memories or creating new culinary ones, you’re in for a treat.
These Greek ground beef recipes are your passport to delightful dining. Let’s get started!
1. Greek Beef Meatballs
These beef meatballs aren’t the typical Italian meatballs you find in spaghetti. They’re a fantastic Greek twist bursting with unique flavors.
What makes them stand out are the fresh herbs, garlic, and lean ground beef. Mix ’em all up, throw them in the oven, and boom! You have juicy meatballs ready for a feast.
How you serve them is up to you. Want a gyro vibe? Wrap them in pita bread, throw in some tomatoes and lettuce, and don’t forget the creamy tzatziki sauce. Or, keep it simple and enjoy them solo.
Either way, these Greek beef meatballs will leave you wanting more.
2. Greek Pastitsio (Greek Lasagna)
Greek pastitsio is like the cooler Greek cousin of Italian lasagna.
This dish layers tubular pasta and a flavorful beef ragu. It’s crowned with a luxurious béchamel sauce.
Most traditional recipes call for bucatini. It’s like spaghetti but thicker with a center hole. If you can’t find it, penne or ziti are worthy substitutes.
One bite of this dish, and you’re transported straight to the heart of Greece.
3. Traditional Moussaka
Walk into a Greek taverna or a family gathering, and you’ll find this dish shining on the table. Moussaka is a big deal in Greece and for good reason!
Layers of soft eggplant (or aubergine) and potatoes lay the foundation. On top, there’s a savory ground beef sauce, rich with tomatoes. The grand finale is a creamy bechamel sauce. It’s the stuff of dreams.
This is pure comfort in a casserole. If you’re hunting for a taste of Greece, moussaka is where it’s at.
4. Greek Ground Beef Kebabs
These Greek ground beef kebabs are juicy, flavorful meat sticks perfect for your next meal.
Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a fancy gathering with friends, these kebabs will steal the show.
The magic is in the ground beef, which is spiced just right. I’m talking cumin, garlic, onion, paprika, and oregano.
Grill them up, then pair them with some charred veggies and pickled onions for a tangy kick. And don’t forget the tzatziki. It’s creamy, cool, and just the right dip for these kebabs.
5. Easy Ground Beef Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce
These easy ground beef gyros are a game-changer. In just 30 minutes, you get perfectly seasoned beef, snuggled inside a soft pita. It’s topped with fresh lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and red onion. The homemade tzatziki sauce ties it all together with its cool, refreshing kick.
Traditional gyros feature thinly sliced meats roasted on a spit. Using ground beef is this recipe’s little hack to keep things uncomplicated. So, it’s all the gyro flavor without the fuss.
6. Greek-Style Meat Sauce (Makornia Me Kima)
Greek-style meat sauce, or as locals call it, makaronia me kima, is your ticket to a quick, flavor-packed meal.
It’s a blend of authentic Greek spices, including fresh mint, cinnamon, and allspice. These ingredients give the dish its unique character.
While some people go with lamb, most stick to beef, and it’s the star here. But hey, if you’re feeling adventurous, lamb brings a tasty twist.
Tossed with pasta, it’s a hearty dish without the heavy feeling.
The beauty of this sauce is its simplicity. There are fancy ingredients or hours spent in the kitchen. It’s just pure, Greek-inspired comfort in a bowl.
7. Greek-Style Stuffed Peppers
These stuffed peppers are a delightful twist to your usual dinner menu. In Greece, these are dubbed “gemista,” meaning “things that are filled.”
Bell peppers are filled to the brim with a hearty mix of ground beef, rice, and chickpeas. It’s all seasoned with allspice, sweet paprika, and garlic. Fresh parsley adds a hint of brightness.
You can use any color of peppers here. For reference, green peppers offer a savory bite, while red peppers are sweeter.
As a bonus, this dish is both dairy and gluten-free.
8. Greek Stuffed Zucchini Stew
This Greek stuffed zucchini stew is a treat when the veggie is in season during spring and summer.
Yes, it takes some patience to core the zucchinis and stuff them. But the end result is magic on a plate.
What sets this dish apart is the egg-lemon sauce. It’s light, with a hint of creamy texture thanks to a touch of flour.
Add in some freshly squeezed lemon juice and fresh dill for a refreshing and comforting meal. The velvety sauce combined with the stuffed zucchini will leave you wanting more.
9. Gemista (Greek Stuffed Peppers and Tomatoes)
Gemista is a Greek classic of baked stuffed peppers and tomatoes brimming with rice and herbs. You can switch things up by adding different veggies or tossing in pine nuts and raisins.
Bake the vegetables with some potatoes, and they soak up the flavors from the vibrant tomato sauce.
This recipe serves a crowd and even leaves you with leftovers. The versatile rice filling can be frozen for another round of gemista.
10. Greek Burger with Feta and Tzatziki
This Greek burger might be your new favorite meal. Lean ground beef mingled with Greek spices and creamy feta guarantees a flavorful bite.
It’s enhanced with hints of oregano, fresh dill, garlic, cucumbers, and red onion. The crowning touch is an irresistible homemade tzatziki sauce. You’ll definitely want seconds of this burger!
Pair it with a light Greek salad instead of heavy sides for a perfect summer dish. And remember, for an unbeatable taste, go for farm-fresh ingredients.