Greek Meatballs (Soutzoukakia)

Soutzoukakia Smyrneika, or just Soutzoukakia… Sweet dreams are made of these!

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.
• Culinary Experience: Soutzoukakia offers a complex, spiced experience, often serving as a main course. Keftedes are simpler, making them perfect as appetizers or part of a meze spread.

They’re both amazing meatballs. We have a cracking good Keftedes Recipe that you should definitely check out, but for now let’s get back to the Soutzoukakia…

Why You’ll LOVE this Recipe

• Flavor Explosion: Imagine biting into a meatball and being greeted by a medley of spices -cumin, cinnamon, and oregano – that instantly transport you to a Mediterranean paradise.
• Versatility: Whether you’re a stove top traditionalist, a modern Instant Pot user, or someone who loves the convenience of a crockpot, this recipe’s got you covered.
• Ultimate Comfort Food: Meatballs simmered in a rich, aromatic tomato sauce? It’s like a warm hug for your taste buds.
• Easy to Make: The recipe is quite straightforward. Even if you’re not a seasoned chef, you’ll be able to whip this up with ease.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual family dinner or you’re entertaining guests, this dish suits any situation, making you look like a culinary genius.

Greek Soutzoukakia Ingredients

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. 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
• 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.

1. Prep the meatball mixture: Start by soaking bread slices in milk for a few minutes. Once the bread is all soggy, squeeze the milk out with your hands. Mix the bread with the ground meat along with the rest of the meatball ingredients. Combine everything well.

2. Shape the meatballs:

Once you are ready to cook, shape them into oblong football shapes, rather than spheres. Yes, that’s how they look!

3. Brown the meatballs: Heat up oil in a skillet on medium high heat and fry the meatballs till they are brown all over. Plate them out.

4. Create the sauce: In the same pan, remove the excess oil and sauté the onion and garlic till they become translucent. Add in bay leaf and tomato sauce. Season it with salt, pepper, cumin and cinnamon. Cook for 5 minutes.

Add in wine and simmer for 10 more minutes. Taste and season to your liking. Add in sugar to balance the tang from the tomatoes if needed. Cook for another 5 minutes. Add the meatballs back in.

5. Simmer: Once the meatballs are added back into the pan, simmer for 15 -20 minutes so the flavors from the sauce get absorbed into the meatballs.

6. 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.

Place your raw meatballs in a greased baking dish and pour sauce over the meatballs. Bake 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. Bake till they are brown all over and have reached an internal temperature of 160°F.

Slow Cooker Method

Shape your meatballs and place them in a greased crock. Pour in prepared tomato sauce. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or 7-8 hours on low.

Lazy Day Soutzoukakia

If some days you don’t feel like making sauce from scratch… Go ahead and open whatever store brand spaghetti sauce you have in your pantry.

Heat it up in a sauce pan and season with cumin, cinnamon, and depending on the natural sweetness of the sauce, sugar. Drizzle in some wine and simmer for 10 minutes. It’s our little secret, no one will guess that it’s not made from scratch…

Tips and Notes For the BEST Greek Meatballs

• Opt for a hearty, rustic bread when soaking in milk for a fuller flavor and better texture.
• Don’t over mix or work the meat mixture too much, as that tends to make the meatballs chewy and tough.
• Rest the meatball mixture for a few hours in the refrigerator if you have time. This makes a difference, as all the flavors have time to mingle with each other. It also makes the meatballs easier to form.
• For the best tasting tomato sauce, 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.
• Feel free to play with different meats. A 50/50 mix of beef and pork, or beef and lamb, both make great meatballs.
• Go with a decent quality wine, something you won’t mind drinking the leftovers. 😉

How to Serve Soutzoukakia

If you want to eat like the locals, embrace 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!

Leftovers and Storage

If you haven’t already gobbled them all up, your can refrigerate your leftover Soutzoukakia in an airtight container for 3-4 days. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, adding a little extra water if the sauce has dried out.

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 Rice
Chicken Souvlaki
Shrimp Saganaki
Lamb Kleftiko
Moussaka