Herby Meatballs with Whipped Feta + Olives

The aroma of roasted garlic wafts through your kitchen as you prepare a delightful feast. These Herby Meatballs with Whipped Feta + Olives transcend ordinary comfort food—they’re a sensory experience that brings a gourmet touch right to your home. Imagine biting into tender, juicy meatballs infused with fresh herbs, paired with the creamy elegance of whipped feta. It’s a culinary escape reminiscent of a sun-soaked Greek taverna, without ever needing your passport.

Preparing this dish is not only pleasing to the palate but also surprisingly simple. With a handful of ingredients and little fuss, you’ll create a dinner that’s great for a weeknight or a weekend gathering. It’s budget-friendly, versatile, and certain to become a staple on your table. So, roll up your sleeves and join me in crafting this delicious recipe that sings of summer and hospitality.

How to Make Herby Meatballs with Whipped Feta + Olives

1. Roast the Garlic: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Slice the head of garlic in half and drizzle the cut sides with 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Wrap it in foil and roast for 60 minutes. Set aside to cool once done. If you want crispy fries, feel free to start baking them now.
2. Make the Whipped Feta: Squeeze the roasted garlic into a food processor along with the crumbled 8-ounce block of feta cheese, 3/4 cup sour cream, fresh herbs, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Drizzle in 1/4 cup of olive oil while blending until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then refrigerate until serving.
3. Prepare the Panade: In a large bowl, combine 1/2 cup breadcrumbs and 1/3 cup milk, mixing until it forms a paste. Stir in the beaten egg and let sit for 5 minutes—this is your “panade.”
4. Mix the Meatball Ingredients: After the 5 minutes, add 1 pound ground beef, minced garlic, 2 tablespoons fresh herbs, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage, 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper to the bowl. Use your hands to mix gently until just combined. Form golf ball-sized meatballs using a cookie scoop or your hands.
5. Brown the Meatballs: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook until they’re golden-brown on all sides and almost cooked through—about 6-8 minutes. If your skillet isn’t large enough, work in batches. Once browned, transfer them to a baking sheet and place in the 350°F oven to finish cooking for about 10-15 minutes.
6. Sauté the Topping: Lower the heat to medium and, without cleaning the pan, add 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Once heated, throw in the drained capers, sliced olives, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt. Stir occasionally, cooking until everything is warm and fragrant—around 3-5 minutes. Deglaze the pan with a splash of caper brine, scraping up any browned bits for added flavor.
7. Assemble the Dish: Spread the creamy whipped feta on a serving platter. Arrange the cooked meatballs on top, generously spoon the caper and olive mixture over them, and finish with fresh herbs. Serve with crispy fries for a satisfying dinner.
8. Share Your Experience: If you enjoyed this culinary endeavor, please leave a 5-star rating and share your thoughts below!

Storing & Reheating

To store, keep the meatballs in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of hours, or refrigerate for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. When reheating, simply warm them in the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes or until heated through. The texture may slightly change, but a quick drizzle of olive oil can help refresh the flavor.

Across the world of dinner recipes, Herby Meatballs with Whipped Feta + Olives stand out not just for their delicious flavors but also for their friendly versatility. The juicy meatballs and creamy feta create a satisfying balance that speaks to both comfort and sophistication. Get ready to experiment with your favorite herbs and serving styles, and make this dish your own. Revel in its deliciousness and the experience it brings to your dining table, inviting family and friends to join you in the pleasure of good food.

Recipe FAQs

Herby Meatballs with Whipped Feta + Olives

Recipe Author: Jamie

These Herby Meatballs with Whipped Feta + Olives are bursting with flavor! Simple to prepare, they feature juicy beef meatballs served on a creamy feta spread, making them a perfect choice for a quick dinner or an impressive appetizer.

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Pin Recipe

• Prep Time 85 minutes
• Cook Time 105 minutes
• Yield 22 meatballs 1x

Ingredients

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• 1 head of garlic
• 1 teaspoon + 1/4 cup olive oil
• 8 ounce block feta cheese
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons fresh chopped herbs (parsley, dill, chives, mint)
• Kosher salt
• fresh cracked pepper
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 pound ground beef (85/15)
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh chopped herbs (dill, parsley, chives, mint)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 3.5 ounce jar capers, drained (drain brine into a bowl to use)
• 1 cup pitted, sliced Castelvetrano olives
• zest of 1 lemon
• Kosher salt
• fresh cracked pepper
• fresh chopped herbs
• crispy baked French fries

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cut the head of garlic in half, drizzle with a teaspoon of olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 60 minutes.
3. Once cooled, squeeze the garlic into a blender, add feta, sour cream, fresh herbs, salt, and pepper, and blend until smooth. Refrigerate.
4. Mix breadcrumbs and milk in a bowl until a paste forms. Stir in beaten egg and let it sit for 5 minutes.
5. Add ground beef, minced garlic, herbs, oregano, sage, salt, and pepper to the breadcrumb mixture. Combine using hands, then shape into meatballs.
6. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, cook meatballs until golden brown, then transfer to a baking sheet and finish cooking in the oven.
7. In the same skillet, heat more olive oil and add capers, olives, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt. Cook until heated through and fragrant.
8. Spread the creamy feta on a platter, arrange meatballs on top, and spoon the caper and olive mixture over them. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve with fries.

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Notes

You can use different herbs based on your preference.
For a spicier flavor, consider adding red pepper flakes to the meat mixture.
Serve with a side salad for a complete meal.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 meatball
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 0g
• Sodium: 250mg
• Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 3g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 10g
• Cholesterol: 25mg

Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.

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