Instant Pot Greek Meatballs (View Print Version)

Juicy meatballs in tomato sauce finished with bright lemon-feta topping for a quick Greek-inspired meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meatballs

01 - 1 lb ground lamb or beef (or a mix)
02 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (gluten-free optional)
03 - 1 large egg
04 - 1/3 cup finely chopped red onion
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
07 - 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tsp dried dill)
08 - 1 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
10 - 1/2 tsp salt
11 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
12 - Zest of 1 lemon

→ Tomato Sauce

13 - 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
14 - 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
15 - 1 tbsp olive oil
16 - 1 clove garlic, minced
17 - 1 tsp dried oregano
18 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Lemon-Feta Sauce

19 - 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
20 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
21 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
22 - 1 tsp lemon zest
23 - 1 tbsp olive oil
24 - 1 tbsp fresh dill or parsley, chopped
25 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Method:

01 - In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic, parsley, dill, oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Mix gently until just combined. Form into 16 evenly sized meatballs.
02 - Set Instant Pot to Sauté mode and heat olive oil. Brown meatballs in batches for 2–3 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
03 - Add minced garlic to the pot and sauté for 30 seconds. Stir in crushed tomatoes, broth, oregano, salt, and pepper, scraping browned bits from the pot.
04 - Return browned meatballs to the pot, spooning sauce over them. Seal lid and cook on high pressure for 7 minutes. Allow natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure.
05 - While meatballs cook, combine feta, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, dill or parsley, and black pepper in a bowl. Blend until creamy.
06 - Plate meatballs with tomato sauce and top each serving with a generous spoonful of Lemon-Feta Sauce. Garnish with additional fresh herbs and lemon zest if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Speedy main dish with bold Mediterranean flavors
  • Easy to adapt for gluten-free diets
02 -
  • Use gluten-free breadcrumbs for allergy-friendly meatballs
  • This dish naturally contains dairy and eggs
03 -
  • For a lighter meal, use ground turkey or chicken
  • Add a pinch of cinnamon for extra Greek flavor
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