Mediterranean Meatball Rice Bowl with Tzatziki & Fresh Veggies 🍅🥒
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 3–4
Calories per serving: ~620 kcal
🛒 Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
🥩 500 g ground beef (or lamb/beef mix)
🧅 1 small onion, finely grated
🧄 2 garlic cloves, minced
🌿 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
🌿 1 tsp dried oregano
🌶️ ½ tsp paprika
🧂 1 tsp salt
⚫ ½ tsp black pepper
🫒 1 tbsp olive oil (for frying)
For the Rice:
🍚 1 ½ cups basmati rice
💧 3 cups water + pinch of salt
🌿 Optional: ¼ tsp turmeric or saffron for color
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
🥛 1 cup Greek yogurt
🥒 ½ cucumber, grated & squeezed dry
🧄 1 garlic clove, minced
🍋 Juice of ½ lemon
🫒 1 tbsp olive oil
🌿 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
🧂 Salt & pepper to taste
For the Veggies:
🍅 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced
🧅 ½ red onion, thinly sliced
🥒 ½ cucumber, sliced into rounds
🌿 Fresh dill for garnish
👨🍳 Instructions
Cook rice: Simmer rice in salted water (and turmeric if using) for 12–15 minutes until fluffy.
Make meatballs: Mix ground meat, onion, garlic, parsley, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Shape into balls.
Cook meatballs: Heat olive oil in a skillet, fry meatballs 8–10 min, turning until browned and cooked through.
Prepare tzatziki: Mix yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, dill, salt, and pepper. Chill.
Assemble bowls: Add rice as the base. Top with meatballs, cucumber slices, onion, and tomatoes. Drizzle with tzatziki.
Finish: Garnish with fresh dill and serve warm.
🔁 Notes & Variations
Swap beef for ground chicken or turkey.
Serve with pita bread on the side.
For extra flavor, bake meatballs in the oven instead of frying.