I promise you, these Greek meatballs are much, much easier to cook than trying to pronounce them. If you really want to impress those already wowed people who have had just one bite into them, here is how to pronounce Soutzoukakia: These plump oblong shaped meatballs are packed with loads of aromatics and fresh herbs, smothered in a cinnamon-y wine enhanced rich tomato sauce laced with cumin… Ahmm, so not Greek. Yes, these meatballs have a Turkish origin. But they are embraced and beloved by Greeks so much that they became one of their comfort foods in no time. These meatballs could be yours, just read on…
Greek Style Meatballs…
They are made oblong, instead of round… They have some more spices, instead of just a few herbs… They are eaten with rice instead of pasta… Interesting? You might ask me how they are different from your familiar marinara Italian Style Meatballs.
What are Soutzoukakia?
When the food traditions from the Ottoman empire influenced the Greeks of Constantinople, you get Soutzoukakia. Soutzoukakia Smyrneika, that’s the full name. These meatballs arrived in Greece from Asia Minor, or present day Turkey. The “Smyrneika” in the name is for Smyrna, or present day Izmir, Turkey. When the Turks burned Smyrna in 1922 (ending the Greco-Turkish war), the Greek refugees brought this recipe back to Greece. A century later, this is one of the most popular comfort foods that you find in households and taverns all over Greece.
Soutzoukakia vs Keftedes
Ah, the eternal Greek culinary debate: Soutzoukakia vs. Keftedes! While both dishes are Greek meatball delicacies, they have their unique characteristics that set them apart.
Spices: The soul of Soutzoukakia is in the spices like cinnamon and cumin, whereas Keftedes are usually less spiced and may feature mint or parsley as the standout herbs. Shape: Soutzoukakia are typically oblong or football-shaped, while Keftedes are traditionally round. Sauce: Soutzoukakia luxuriate in a rich tomato sauce, whereas Keftedes are usually served without a sauce, often accompanied by tzatziki on the side.
They’re both amazing meatballs. I have a cracking good Keftedes Recipe that you should definitely check out, but for now let’s get back to the Soutzoukakia…
Ingredients Needed
For the Meatballs
Ground beef – Some fat is good in ground beef when you are making meatballs, so don’t go for too lean of meat. 85/15 is perfect. Some days you can make these with half ground beef and half ground pork, which is very traditional. It is also common to make them out of ground lamb. Bread – The secret to make them juicy and soft. Milk – To soak the bread in. Garlic – Finely chopped. Eggs – To act as a binder. Herbs and spices – Cumin, dried oregano, cinnamon, fresh parsley, salt and pepper. Wine – Yes, a little… 🙂
For the sauce
Onion – Spanish or white, chopped. Garlic – Finely chopped. Tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes Red wine – Quite a splash. Herbs and spices – Bay leaf, cumin, cinnamon, salt, pepper and sugar.
Simple, huh? Yes, it’s a pretty straightforward recipe.
Easy Soutzoukakia Recipe
These meatballs can be cooked on stovetop, baked, or cooked in a slow cooker. Here we’ll go over the stovetop method. Later in the post you can find the other methods.
- Prep the meatball mixture: First, I soak bread slices in milk for a few minutes until they’re nice and soggy. Then, I squeeze out the excess milk with my hands. After that, I mix the bread with the ground meat and all the other meatball ingredients, making sure everything’s well combined.
- Shape the meatballs: When it’s time to cook, I shape them into oblong football shapes instead of spheres. That’s the classic look!
- Brown the meatballs: I heat up some oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and fry the meatballs until they’re nicely browned all over. Then, I plate them out.
- Create the sauce: In the same pan, I remove any excess oil and sauté the onion and garlic until they become translucent. Then, I add in the bay leaf and tomato sauce, seasoning it with salt, pepper, cumin, and cinnamon. After cooking for about 5 minutes, I pour in the wine and let it simmer for an additional 10 minutes. I taste and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding sugar if necessary to balance the tanginess from the tomatoes. Finally, I return the meatballs to the pan.
- Simmer: Once I add the meatballs back into the pan, I let them simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes. This allows the flavors from the sauce to fully absorb into the meatballs.
- Serve and enjoy!
Greek Meatballs in the Oven
I cooked the meatballs this way the first time I tried them, and completely fell in love with them. This is a little lighter version, as they’re not fried. I place the raw meatballs in a greased baking dish and pour the sauce over them. Then, I bake them uncovered for 45-50 minutes in a preheated oven at 400°F. It’s safe when the raw meatballs cook along with the sauce, as everything bakes together to a proper temperature. Just keep an eye on them and bake until they’re brown all over and have reached an internal temperature of 165°F.
Slow Cooker Method
I shape the meatballs and place them in a greased crock. Then, I pour the prepared tomato sauce over them. I let them cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 7-8 hours.
Lazy Day Method
If some days I don’t feel like making sauce from scratch, I’ll grab whatever store brand spaghetti sauce I have in my pantry. I heat it up in a saucepan and season it with cumin, cinnamon, and sometimes a bit of sugar, depending on its natural sweetness. Then, I drizzle in some wine and let it simmer for 10 minutes. It’s our little secret; no one will guess it’s not made from scratch.
Alpana’s Tips
If I have time, I let the meatball mixture sit in the fridge for a few hours. It helps the flavors blend and makes shaping the meatballs easier. I always avoid overworking the meat mixture. That way, the meatballs stay tender and juicy. For a yummy tomato sauce, I use whole canned San Marzano tomatoes and crush them by hand in a bowl. If you happen to have fresh oregano on hand, use 1.5 tablespoons in place of the dried. I like to mix up the meats too. Sometimes I use a combo of beef and pork, or beef and lamb, for extra flavor. Go with a decent quality wine, something you won’t mind drinking the leftovers. 😉
Serving Suggestions
If you want to eat like the locals, serve them over a plateful of rice to make that Greek night happen. Nestle the meatballs over rice with a generous amount of that luscious tomato sauce. You can drizzle on some extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle on some parsley. If you happen to have some pine nuts or feta cheese, they compliment these meatballs great. Saying rice is the first option, if you feel like some pasta who is stopping you? They are your meatballs after all. It’s very common to serve them with some form of potatoes. Try them with Mashed Potatoes or Steak Fries. I can see them great in between some bread. That meatball sub…YUUUMMM They can be part of some Mezze platter as an appetizer. Pair them with pita bread along with some Greek dips like Tyrokafteri, Tzatziki or Melitzanosalata. For a low carb option, serve them with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles. However you serve them, don’t forget a Greek Horiatiki Salad on the side! The next time you’re thinking of meatballs, try these football shaped flavor bombs. Bake them for an easy night, or take the help of your crock pot. GypsyPlate has brought this specialty right to your kitchen. Now they are all yours…
Soutzoukakia on our Gypsy Plate… enjoy!
Try these other authentic Greek recipes!Fasolada (Greek Bean Soup)Psari Plaki (Baked White Fish)Fasolakia (Greek Green Beans)Greek Lemon RiceChicken SouvlakiShrimp SaganakiLamb KleftikoMoussaka
