Name: Soutzoukakia (Greek Meatballs)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 1/2 lb (225 g) ground beef; 1/2 lb (225 g) ground pork; 2–3 white bread slices (150 g); 1/4 cup whole milk; 2 tbsp red wine; 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil; 1 egg; 2 garlic cloves; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp kosher salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; Handful fresh parsley (2 tbsp minced); 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for coating meatballs); 1/2 cup neutral oil (sunflower, canola, or light olive oil) for frying; Tomato-Based Sauce: 1 can diced tomatoes (14.1 oz / 400 g); 1 tbsp tomato paste; 1 medium red onion; 1 cup beef stock; 1/2 cup red wine; 2 garlic cloves; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp white sugar; 1 bay leaf; 1 cinnamon stick or 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon; 1 tsp kosher salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 3 tbsp olive oil; Fresh parsley for garnish

Description

Soutzoukakia are traditional Greek oblong meatballs simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce infused with cumin, cinnamon, and red wine. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, they are perfect served with rice or crusty bread.

Ingredients

1/2 lb (225 g) ground beef
1/2 lb (225 g) ground pork
2–3 white bread slices (150 g)
1/4 cup whole milk
2 tbsp red wine
3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 egg
2 garlic cloves
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Handful fresh parsley (2 tbsp minced)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for coating meatballs)
1/2 cup neutral oil (sunflower, canola, or light olive oil) for frying
Tomato-Based Sauce:
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14.1 oz / 400 g)
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 medium red onion
- 1 cup beef stock
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp white sugar
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cinnamon stick or 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh parsley for garnish

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Instructions

Break bread slices into breadcrumbs using a food processor or blender.
In a large bowl, combine breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, cumin, and minced parsley.
Add red wine, milk, olive oil, ground beef, ground pork, and beaten egg.
Mix until homogeneous, kneading 2–3 minutes.
Divide into 12 oblong meatballs and roll in flour.
Heat frying oil in a large pan, cook meatballs until golden (7–8 min), drain on paper towels.
For sauce: heat olive oil in another pan, sauté diced onion with salt for 3–4 min.
Add garlic, tomato paste, pepper, cumin, sugar; sauté 1 min.
Add diced tomatoes, red wine, beef stock, cinnamon stick, and bay leaf.
Add meatballs to sauce, cover, and simmer 12–15 min, turning halfway.
Serve with rice or bread and garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

If no food processor is available, break bread slices using a blender.
Can substitute ground lamb for pork for a richer flavor.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Mains
Method: Frying / Simmering
Cuisine: Greek