Keftedes, Northern Style

Cuisine Greek

Servings

Author Thomas

500 g minced beef
500 g minced pork
1 medium onion finely grated
2 cloves garlic finely minced
2 slices stale white bread crusts removed, soaked in water or milk and squeezed dry
1 egg
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tbsp chopped fresh mint or 1 tsp dried
½ tbsp dried Greek oregano
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tbsp red wine vinegar or ouzo for brightness optional
50 g plain flour for dusting
Olive oil for frying

In a large bowl, combine the beef and pork. Add grated onion, garlic, soaked bread, egg, herbs, oregano, salt, pepper, and vinegar/ouzo if using. Mix gently but thoroughly — your hands are the best tool here.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally an hour. This helps the flavours meld and the mix firm up.
Roll the mixture into walnut-sized balls (~30–36 total). Lightly dust with flour — this gives a crispy crust.
Heat olive oil in a wide frying pan — about 1 cm deep. Fry the meatballs in batches over medium heat, turning occasionally until golden brown and cooked through (about 8–10 minutes total per batch). Drain on kitchen paper.

Main meal: Serve with oven-roasted lemon potatoes and salad
Meze style: With pita, dips (hummus, melitzanosalata, tzatziki), olives, and grilled vegetables

Summer savoury (чубрица, chubritsa) is the signature herb — often used instead of or alongside parsley.
Cumin is sometimes added (very lightly), more so in kebapcheta (the oblong, grilled sibling).
They often include bicarbonate of soda for fluffiness.
A dash of white wine or vinegar is common in home recipes.
Served with lyutenitsa (a spicy-sweet red pepper relish) or shopska salad, rather than tzatziki.

½ tsp ground cumin — classic in many Balkan meat dishes, earthy and warm
A pinch of cinnamon or allspice — subtle but very Greek, especially if you're leaning festive
Chilli flakes or Aleppo pepper — for a touch of heat without overwhelming the herbs
Paprika — sweet or hot, adds both colour and depth

For a distinctly Thracian or Macedonian feel, you might also try: