Freezer Meals

Ground Chicken Greek Meatballs!

~ Carrie Tyler ~ Leave a comment
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Ground Chicken Greek Meatballs on a plate with Tzatziki sauce over rice. Baked meatballs in back. These meatballs have garlic, feta, parsley, and oregano

Ground Chicken Greek Meatballs are so moist and bursting with big flavors from garlic, feta, parsley, and oregano.  You can make them ahead and freeze for months.  Then simply bake for 25-30 minutes and enjoy!  Paired with a tangy and bright Tzatziki sauce and served over your favorite side, it’s the perfect dinner!

I mentioned that you can make these meatballs ahead and freeze them. I highly recommend doubling up on this recipe and immediately freezing half of the meatballs for another week or even month! If you like that idea, try these other Five, 5-Ingredient Freezable Dinners – with Grocery List!

Check out this easy tutorial video for these Greek Meatballs!

Ground Chicken Greek Meatball on fork dipped in Tzatziki sauce over rice. Baked meatballs in back. These meatballs have garlic, feta, parsley, and oregano

Meatballs are a versatile Family Dinner!

If you’ve followed my recipes for a while then you know how much I love meatballs for dinner.  If not, welcome to my meatball world!  And when I say ‘world’ I really mean taking a trip around the world with Meatballs.  They are easy to make tons for family dinners and fill them with flavors from different cuisines.  

Here are links to some of my favorite Meatball Recipes:

Ground Chicken Greek Meatballs on a plate with Tzatziki sauce over rice. Baked meatballs in back. These meatballs have garlic, feta, parsley, and oregano. 

Quick note!  This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase from them.  This commission is what helps me keep this blog afloat :).  But, I also share these links because I have used the products, genuinely love them, and want you to know exactly what I used. 

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

Nothing special for this one! Just a large sheet pan (I use a 17×11).

Oh, mincing garlic is made super easy with a Garlic Press.

PREP-AHEAD FOR YOUR GREEK MEATBALLS

We are all extremely busy and making dinner during the week can be overwhelming. Here are the steps you prepare in the day(s) in advance and store in the fridge as your meal Kit… (See the full recipe below)

For this recipe, you can prep all of the ingredients: mince the garlic, chop the parsley, slice the scallion, zest and juice the lime.  Follow the recipe for the details on this prep.  

One of the most fantastic things about these meatballs (aside from the taste) is that you can make them ahead.  To make the meatballs, just add the ground meat and all of the ingredients to a large mixing bowl and combine.  Then form meatballs using a heaping tablespoon of mixture for each.  Place them on a sheet pan lined with parchment or aluminum for easy clean-up.  Of course, you do not need to line the pan, but if not, then coat the bottom with olive oil.

Ground Chicken Greek Meatball ingredients in a bowl. Baked meatballs in back. These meatballs have garlic, feta, parsley, and oregano

Ground Chicken Greek Meatball ingredients in a bowl. These meatballs have garlic, feta, parsley, and oregano

Ground Chicken Greek Meatball ingredients in a bowl. These meatballs have garlic, feta, parsley, and oregano

Raw Ground Chicken Greek Meatballs on a pan. These meatballs have garlic, feta, parsley, and oregano

Can I swap another Meat for the Chicken?

Yep! Let start with chicken, as there are different kinds within the ‘chicken category’ to know about. There different types based on how the chickens are raised. I prefer the free-range chicken with no antibiotics used. This will be found on the label. Just because it says organic, doesn’t mean it was free range.

There are also different cuts used for the ground chicken, such dark meat cuts (thighs, legs) or white meat (breast). The white meat is leaner. Some ground chicken is a mix and some will say white meat only. I used 99% lean white meat ground chicken. However, you use any ground chicken variety.

You could use ground beef at any fat content you prefer (80%, 90%, etc.). Same thing applies to beef as with chicken. There is grass-fed, no-antibiotics, no hormones, etc. And of course you can use ground turkey.

Can I use other Fillings for Greek Meatballs?

I’ve tested many different ingredients in meatballs and for this recipe I really love this combo. That said, you can certainly make some swaps if you need or want to. I used dried oregano for big Mediterranean flavor in a small amount. I use fresh parsley mostly for color and a touch of freshness. You could use dried Italian seasoning or dried basil instead using the same measurement as the oregano. You could also swap the parsley for fresh baby spinach. Consider wilting the spinach down first in a sauté pan and then squeezing out the excess water before adding it to the meat. You could add up to ½ cup wilted spinach to the meat mixture.

How can I make these meatballs Gluten Free?

You could swap the breadcrumbs with parmesan cheese or even gluten free breadcrumbs.   

MAKE YOUR TZATZIKI!

You have prepped most of the ingredients above per the recipe, so now it’s on to the cucumber.  For my Tzatziki, I love a lot of crunchy cucumber.  You can certainly add less if you want, such as only 1/4 of a cucumber.

Cucumbers are 95% water! 

Yes, that’s right!  So, cucumbers are a great snack during the hot summer months for helping you to stay hydrated.  But, you must squeeze out the water before adding the cucumber to your sauce because it will make your sauce very watery and separate on you.  Of course, you can save that cucumber water for a smoothie or lemon water or even a cocktail! 

I use my grater vs. a food processor for the cucumber shredding process, as it’s quick with minimal clean up.  

Grating cucumber for Tzatziki sauce to go with Chicken Greek Meatballs. These meatballs have garlic, feta, parsley, and oregano.

Grating cucumber for Tzatziki sauce to go with Chicken Greek Meatballs. These meatballs have garlic, feta, parsley, and oregano.

Once you have your cucumber grated, transfer it to a clean towel and squeeze the water out, then add it to the yogurt with the rest of the Tzatziki ingredients and stir to combine.Grated cucumber in a towel for Tzatziki sauce to go with Chicken Greek Meatballs. These meatballs have garlic, feta, parsley, and oregano.

Grated cucumber squeezed in a towel for Tzatziki sauce to go with Chicken Greek Meatballs. These meatballs have garlic, feta, parsley, and oregano.

Excess water from grated cucumber squeezed in a towel for Tzatziki sauce to go with Chicken Greek Meatballs. These meatballs have garlic, feta, parsley, and oregano.

Ingredients in a bowl for Tzatziki sauce to go with Chicken Greek Meatballs. These meatballs have garlic, feta, parsley, and oregano.

COOK YOUR CHICKEN GREEK MEATBALLS & QUINOA

Preheat the oven to 400 F degrees. Place the meatballs on an oiled sheet pan and bake in the oven for 15 on one side. Then remove and flip the meatballs over to get browned on the other side. Bake for another 10 minutes.

Flipping Ground Chicken Greek Meatballs on a pan. These meatballs have garlic, feta, parsley, and oregano

Baked Ground Chicken Greek Meatballs on a pan. These meatballs have garlic, feta, parsley, and oregano

ENJOY! 😍 Carrie

Ground Chicken Greek Meatballs on a plate with Tzatziki sauce over rice. Baked meatballs in back. These meatballs have garlic, feta, parsley, and oregano. 
Ground Chicken Greek Meatballs on a plate with Tzatziki sauce over rice. Baked meatballs in back. These meatballs have garlic, feta, parsley, and oregano. 
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Ground Chicken Greek Meatballs

Ground Chicken Greek Meatballs are so moist and bursting with big flavors from garlic, feta, parsley, and oregano.  You can make them ahead and freeze for months.  Then simply bake for 25-30 minutes and enjoy!  Paired with a tangy and bright Tzatziki sauce and served over your favorite side, it's the perfect dinner! #chickenrecipes #chickendinners #easydinnerideas #meatballs #chickemeatballs #greekmeatballs

Course Main Course
Cuisine Greek
Keyword feta, Meatballs, tzatziki
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings 24 meatballs
Author Carrie Tyler

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 16 oz Lean Ground Chicken raised without antibiotics ground turkey is good too
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 3 tbsp Parsley Chopped
  • 1 tsp Oregano
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Fresh Ground Pepper
  • 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 Egg, large
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup Feta, crumbled

Tzatziki

  • 1 cup Plain Greek Yogurt
  • 1 tbsp Scallion, finely chopped
  • 1 clove Garlic, minced
  • 1 Lime (all zested, half juiced)
  • 1/2 English Cucumber, medium-sized
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper

Instructions

Prep Ahead Steps

  1. You need 1 large mixing bowl for the meatball mixture and 1 small bowl. Place the ground chicken into the large bowl. Place the yogurt into the small bowl.

  2. Mince the 3 cloves garlic, 2 go into the large mixing bowl with the chicken and 1 goes into the small bowl with the yogurt.

  3. Chop parsley and add it to the chicken in the large bowl. Slice the scallion greens and add them to the yogurt in the small bowl.

  4. Zest the Lime and add it to the yogurt. Juice half the lime into the yogurt.

  5. For the meatball mixture in the large bowl, add the rest of the ingredients: the ground chicken, egg, oregano, salt, pepper, and breadcrumbs. Mix to fully combine all ingredients.

  6. Then form meatballs by scooping a heaping tablespoon of the mixture and rolling it in your hands. Place them on a sheet pan lined with parchment or aluminum for easy clean-up.  Of course, you do not need to line the pan, but if not, then coat the bottom with olive oil.

  7. Using a grater on the medium grate size, grate the cucumber with the skin on. Transfer the cucumber to a clean towel so that you can squeeze the water out of the cucumber before adding it to the yogurt.

  8. If you are not eating the Tzatziki within the next day, then I mix the yogurt sauce without the cucumber and store the cucumber in a separate bowl lined with paper towel to soak up any additional water that comes out of the cucumber. When you are ready, add the cucumber plus salt and pepper to the yogurt, then mix the ingredients into the yogurt. Cover and store in the fridge.

Cooking Steps

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 F degrees. Place the meatballs on an oiled sheet pan and bake in the oven for 15 on one side. Then remove and flip the meatballs over to get browned on the other side. Bake for another 10 minutes.

  2. Finish the Tzatziki sauce by mixing the shredded cucumber to the yogurt and mix to combine. Serve with the meatballs and ENJOY!

Easiest Ground Beef Empanadas

~ Carrie Tyler ~ 4 Comments
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Ground Beef Empanadas on a pan. Flaky, buttery pastry on the outside with a savory, smokey, salty ground beef filling.

What’s not to love about Empanadas?  They are little savory pastry pockets of love!  These Ground Beef Empanadas recipe is the absolute easiest way to make these babies at home!  Flaky, buttery pastry on the outside with a savory, smokey, salty ground beef filling.  You can make them all ahead and freeze so you can later bake them off one by one as a snack or all at once for dinner or a party!  And incredibly easy to make with only a few steps.  

These Ground Beef Empanadas are also a great way to use leftover ground beef from Taco night or leftover burgers.  Click here to get 30 Leftover Protein Dinner Ideas to give you even more ideas like this.

Ground Beef Empanadas on a pan. Flaky, buttery pastry on the outside with a savory, smokey, salty ground beef filling.

Apps for Dinner

Every once in a while we have a Smorgasbord dinner in my family.  It’s where I serve a bunch of appetizers across protein, veggie, and other categories.  ‘Other’ is just whatever we are craving or have in the house that’s fun and yummy. 

These Ground Beef Empanadas are perfect for filling the Protein category in a Smorgasbord Dinner!  Other proteins that I may include are my Baked Chicken Taquitos or my Hanky Panky Canapes (Cheesy Sausage & Meat).  My Baked Coconut Shrimp would also be perfect!

For the Veggie category, I will typically cut up some raw veggies and serve with a dip, such as my Sriracha Hummus or Pimento Olive Ranch Dip.  Other great veggie appetizers are my Baked Parmesan Zucchini Chips or my Baked Coconut Cauliflower Bites (yep, just like the shrimp, but with cauliflower!)

The ‘Other’ category includes things like cheese and crackers, chips and guacamole, or other fun nibbles.  Include things you love and make it fun!

Making Ground Beef Empanadas - crust rounds with filling in center, beef filling in dish, and empanada on a pan. Flaky, buttery pastry on the outside with a savory, smokey, salty ground beef filling.

Quick note!  This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase from them.  This commission is what helps me keep this blog afloat :).  But, I also share these links because I have used the products, genuinely love them, and want you to know exactly what I used. 

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

Nothing special for this one! Just a large sheet pan (I use a 17×11) and a 4 3/4 inch diameter circle for cutting the empanadas from the dough. You could use a plastic lid, and large circle biscuit cutter or anything really that you can run a knife around to cut the dough.

PREP-AHEAD FOR YOUR GROUND BEEF EMPANADAS

We are all extremely busy and making dinner during the week can be overwhelming. Here are the steps you prepare in the day(s) in advance and store in the fridge as your meal Kit… (See the recipe below for more details)

One of the best things about these Ground Beef Empanadas is that they can be made ahead and frozen before baking them.  They will last in your freezer for up to 4 months!  Here are the easy steps.

First, buy a good quality ready-to-bake pie crust dough.  I like Immaculate Pie Crusts, which are not overly sweet.

Making Ground Beef Empanadas - pie crust dough roll, beef filling in dish. Flaky, buttery pastry on the outside with a savory, smokey, salty ground beef filling.

Mince the garlic. Thinly slice the scallions. Beat the egg in a small bowl.

Next make the ground beef filling.  I used a 90% lean ground beef without antibiotics.  Simply sear the beef with 2 minced cloves garlic, 2 sliced scallions, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper.

Ground Beef in pan with seasonings for Ground Beef Empanadas. Flaky, buttery pastry on the outside with a savory, smokey, salty ground beef filling.

ASSEMBLE YOUR EMPANADAS

Roll the dough out onto a large smooth, clean and floured surface. Using a Rolling pin, roll it even thinner to spread it out to about 15-16″ in length and 11″ in width. If it breaks as you open or roll it, simply patch it back up together. Lift it up to ensure it isn’t sticking to the surface.

Using a lid or large biscuit cutter about 4 3/4″ in diameter, cut circles into the dough. When you run out of space, roll out the scraps again after you make the first batch. You should get about 8 empanadas from each pie crust.

Circles cut into dough for Ground Beef Empanadas. Flaky, buttery pastry on the outside with a savory, smokey, salty ground beef filling.

Take the cooled beef filling and add a heaping spoonful to the center of each circle, creating a tall mound that leaves about 3/4″ space from filling to edge.

Pie crust dough circles with beef filling in center for Ground Beef Empanadas. Flaky, buttery pastry on the outside with a savory, smokey, salty ground beef filling.

Using your finger or small pastry brush, brush a small amount of the beaten egg around the outer edge of the right half of the circle.

Using both hands, carefully fold over one side using the other hand to push the filling inside away from the edge so that you get dough on dough to seal. Push down to seal with fingers. Then use a fork to crimp around the edge.

Brushing milk around dough with finger for Ground Beef Empanada closed. Flaky, buttery pastry on the outside with a savory, smokey, salty ground beef filling.

Hand pressing Ground Beef Empanada closed. Flaky, buttery pastry on the outside with a savory, smokey, salty ground beef filling.

Fork pressing edges around Ground Beef Empanada. Flaky, buttery pastry on the outside with a savory, smokey, salty ground beef filling.

Place each empanada on an oiled sheet pan. Brush the tops with the egg and then give a very light sprinkle of chili powder. Now, either bake them (see below) or place the sheet pan in the freezer and then transfer the empanadas to a storage container after frozen.Hand sprinkling chili powder on Ground Beef Empanada. Flaky, buttery pastry on the outside with a savory, smokey, salty ground beef filling.

Raw Ground Beef Empanadas on a pan. Flaky, buttery pastry on the outside with a savory, smokey, salty ground beef filling.

Raw Ground Beef Empanadas on a pan in freezer. Flaky, buttery pastry on the outside with a savory, smokey, salty ground beef filling.

COOK YOUR GROUND BEEF EMPANADAS 

Preheat the oven to 400 F degrees.  Place the empanadas (fresh or frozen) on an oiled sheet pan and place on the center rack of the oven. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Ground Beef Empanadas on a pan. Flaky, buttery pastry on the outside with a savory, smokey, salty ground beef filling. Hand holding a Ground Beef Empanada with more on a pan. Flaky, buttery pastry on the outside with a savory, smokey, salty ground beef filling.

Hands holding a Ground Beef Empanada with more on a pan. Flaky, buttery pastry on the outside with a savory, smokey, salty ground beef filling.

ENJOY! 😍 Carrie

 

Ground Beef Empanadas on a pan. Flaky, buttery pastry on the outside with a savory, smokey, salty ground beef filling.
5 from 2 votes
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Easiest Ground Beef Empanadas

These Ground Beef Empanadas are delicious and easy to make!  Flaky, buttery pastry on the outside with a savory, smokey, salty ground beef filling. Simply start with ready-to-bake pie crust dough, cut out circles, make the filling with lean ground beef, then fill, fold, and seal! You can freeze them up to 4 months or bake immediately and enjoy! #empanadas #appetizers #easydinners #easyrecipes #beefempanadas

Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine Spanish
Keyword empanadas, ground beef
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Filling Cooling Time 30 minutes
Servings 16 Empanadas
Author Carrie Tyler

Ingredients

  • 2 Ready-to-Bake Pie Crust Rolls (thaw in fridge the night before if frozen)
  • 1 lb Ground Beef, 90% Lean no antibiotics
  • 2 tsp Olive Oil (1 for making filling, 1 for baking the empanadas)
  • 2 Cloves Garlic, minced (or 2 tsp garlic powder)
  • 2 Scallions, sliced thin
  • 1 tbsp Chili Powder
  • 1 tbsp Cumin Powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1 Egg, large

Instructions

Prep Ahead Steps

  1. Set the pie crust dough out on the counter (unopened) to bring to room temperature.

  2. Mince the garlic. Thinly slice the scallions. Beat the egg in a small bowl.

  3. Make the ground beef filling by first preheating a medium-large pan on high heat. Add 1 tsp Olive Oil, then the ground beef. Break up the beef and add the minced cloves garlic, sliced scallions, chili powder, cumin, salt, black pepper, and a touch of cayenne (optional).  Transfer the filling to a bowl and let it cool in the fridge.

    Ground Beef in pan with seasonings for Ground Beef Empanadas. Flaky, buttery pastry on the outside with a savory, smokey, salty ground beef filling.

  4. Roll the dough out onto a large smooth, clean and floured surface. Using a Rolling pin, roll it even thinner to spread it out to about 15-16" in length and 11" in width. If it breaks as you open or roll it, simply patch it back up together. Lift it up to ensure it isn't sticking to the surface.

  5. Using a lid or large biscuit cutter about 4 3/4" in diameter, cut circles into the dough. When you run out of space, roll out the scraps again after you make the first batch. You should get about 8 empanadas from each pie crust.

    Circles cut into dough for Ground Beef Empanadas. Flaky, buttery pastry on the outside with a savory, smokey, salty ground beef filling.

  6. Take the cooled beef filling and add a heaping spoonful to the center of each circle, creating a tall mound that leaves about 3/4" space from filling to edge.

    Pie crust dough circles with beef filling in center for Ground Beef Empanadas. Flaky, buttery pastry on the outside with a savory, smokey, salty ground beef filling.

  7. Using your finger or small pastry brush, brush a small amount of the beaten egg around the outer edge of the right half of the circle.

    Brushing milk around dough with finger for Ground Beef Empanada closed. Flaky, buttery pastry on the outside with a savory, smokey, salty ground beef filling.

  8. Using both hands, carefully fold over one side using the other hand to push the filling inside away from the edge so that you get dough on dough to seal. Push down to seal with fingers. Then use a fork to crimp around the edge.

    Fork pressing edges around Ground Beef Empanada. Flaky, buttery pastry on the outside with a savory, smokey, salty ground beef filling.

  9. Place each empanada on an oiled sheet pan. Brush the tops with the egg and then give a very light sprinkle of chili powder. Now, either bake them (see below) or place the sheet pan in the freezer and then transfer the empanadas to a storage container after frozen.

    Raw Ground Beef Empanadas on a pan in freezer. Flaky, buttery pastry on the outside with a savory, smokey, salty ground beef filling.

Bake your Empanadas

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 F degrees

  2. Place the empanadas (fresh or frozen) on an oiled sheet pan and place on the center rack of the oven. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Enjoy!

    Ground Beef Empanadas on a pan. Flaky, buttery pastry on the outside with a savory, smokey, salty ground beef filling.