LOOKING FOR HIGH PROTEIN BISON RECIPES?

This beef and bison mediterranean style meatball recipe wins with flavor. Make this excellent source of protein with savory, herbal flavors for a craveable mediterranean style bite with a twist. Prepare the cucumber yogurt dips and einkorn flatbreads!

homemade beef and bison mediterranean meatballs

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ABOUT THIS BEEF AND BISON MEDITERRANEAN MEATBALL RECIPE

Yes, you can use lamb if you prefer, but first try bison. Use whole wheat sourdough einkorn breadcrumbs, fresh herbs, plain yogurt, and kelp seasoning for a healthier meatball.

Flexible portion recipes work well for parties, potlucks, and picky eaters. One tablespoon size meat portions make it to where we easily take as much, or as little meat, as we want. This recipe makes fifty to sixty 1 tablespoon portions, or approximately thirty 1 ½ tablespoon portions.

Pair these stand-alone meatballs with whatever favorite additions you want by their side. These tasty meatballs complement grain bowls, salads, sandwiches, pasta, and soups.

Let me know if you try them in soup. I’m thinking ramen or something brothy with lemon and parsley.

HELPFUL EQUIPMENT
1 tablespoon cookie scoop (or 1 ½ tablespoon if you prefer) – helps shape the meat rounds and make them the same size for even cooking

INGREDIENTS
ground beef
ground bison, or ground lamb
Greek oregano (or dried)
fresh chopped marjoram (or dried)
fresh chopped thyme (or dried)
fresh chopped parsley (or dried)
coriander seeds, ground using mortar & pestle
sea salt
kelp granules
eggs
einkorn whole wheat plain bread crumbs
plain yogurt, unsweetened

herbs, eggs, and yogurt for beef and bison meatballs

yogurt, eggs, breadcrumbs, beef, and bison

PREP BEFORE COOKING:
Purchase fresh meat when possible.
Purchase fresh herbs if possible (unless you have them in your garden – yay).
If you choose to use frozen meat defrost it in the refrigerator until it’s soft before using it.

HOW TO SERVE HOMEMADE MEATBALLS

Serve Beef and Bison Mediterranean meatballs with any, or all, of the following:

Brown steamed rice – jasmine, basmati, or long grain
Einkorn flatbread – homemade sourdough einkorn flatbread
Roasted vegetables – carrots, bell peppers, red onion, zucchini, mushroom, tomato
Tzatziki dip – yogurt and cucumber, garlic and spices

shaped beef and bison meatballs mediterranean style

Reminder!

Don't over stir and make the meat tough!

TIPS FOR SUCCESS WITH MEDITERRANEAN STYLE MEATBALLS

Use fresh meat and fresh herbs for the best results.
Use high quality organic ground meat when possible.
Don’t over stir the meat when combining (see below).
Don’t leave pockets of spice. Make sure spices look evenly distributed throughout the meat.

mediterranean meatballs with roasted beets and parsnips

WHAT TO AVOID

Some of us (including myself) prefer skipping the instructions and throwing things together. This meatball recipe seems easier to make if I just throw it all in one bowl and stir it up.

Don’t!

Take the time to mix the spices and the yogurt sauce separately and then stir them in gently until evenly distributed. If you throw it all in at once you may over stir the meat when you mix it. It changes the meatball texture. It makes them dense—yuck.

STORAGE OPTIONS

For food prep purposes, these store well raw and frozen (when made with fresh, never been frozen meat).
Once cooked they still freeze or refrigerate well but will turn out a little overdone when reheated. I don’t mind it, but fresh taste best.

LEFTOVER TIPS

These freeze well. If you freeze them make them with fresh meat. Defrost them before baking. Bake them according to recipe: 18-22 minutes at 375°.