Easy Greek Soutzoukakia Recipe: Juicy Meatballs in Tangy Sauce

Soutzoukakia, the beloved Greek meatball delicacy, carries a rich culinary heritage steeped in Mediterranean flavors and traditional cooking techniques.

These succulent, oblong-shaped delights originated in the vibrant regions of Asia Minor, bringing a harmonious blend of spices and robust ingredients to the table.

Craftsmen of Greek cuisine have perfected this dish through generations, infusing each bite with deep, complex tastes that dance across the palate.

The signature spice mixture refines ordinary ground meat into an extraordinary culinary experience, balancing warmth and intensity with remarkable skill.

Tender and aromatic, these meatballs represent more than just a meal – they embody a cultural connection to family, tradition, and shared moments around the dinner table.

Robust seasonings like cumin and paprika elevate the protein, creating a memorable dish that resonates with comfort and authenticity.

Making Soutzoukakia Like a Local

Step 1: Chill and Rest Mixture

Cover the meat mixture and refrigerate for 45-60 minutes to enhance flavor and make shaping easier.

Step 2: Shape Delicious Meatballs

Roll the chilled mixture into elongated oval shapes, approximately 2-3 inches long.

Step 3: Cook Meatballs

Options for cooking:

Baking method: Preheat oven to 400°F, place meatballs on baking sheet, cook for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

Frying method: Heat olive oil in skillet, gently brown meatballs on all sides until cooked through.

Step 4: Craft Robust Tomato Sauce

• Onion
• Olive oil
• Tomato paste
• Garlic
• Red wine
• Chopped tomatoes
• Cumin
• Sugar
• Bay leaf
• Salt
• Black pepper

Sauté onions in olive oil until soft and translucent. Add remaining ingredients, simmer for 20-25 minutes.

Step 5: Combine and Finish

Gently place meatballs into simmering sauce, cook for additional 15-20 minutes to marry flavors.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Plate meatballs with sauce over rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread.

Helpful Pointers for Flavorful Soutzoukakia

• Chill for Flavor Fusion: Refrigerate the meat mixture for at least an hour to allow spices to meld and enhance the overall taste of soutzoukakia.
• Shape with Precision: Roll meatballs into smooth, elongated shapes for authentic Greek style, ensuring even cooking and consistent texture.
• Baking vs. Frying: Choose baking for a healthier option that still delivers crispy edges, or pan-fry for a traditional, golden-brown exterior.
• Wine Selection Matters: Use a good quality red wine that you'd enjoy drinking to add depth and richness to the tomato sauce.
• Slow Simmer Secret: Let meatballs gently cook in the sauce to absorb maximum flavor and become incredibly tender, creating a mouthwatering result.

Store and Reheat Soutzoukakia Without Drying It Out

• Refrigerate: Transfer soutzoukakia and sauce to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Freezing: Pack meatballs with sauce in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for 2-3 months. Label with date for easy tracking.
• Reheating: Warm gently in a covered skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water or broth to prevent drying. Alternatively, microwave in short intervals, stirring between each to ensure even heating. Ensure internal temperature reaches 74°C/165°F for food safety.

Pairing Ideas for This Greek Favorite

• Sip Spicy Greek Red Wine: Pair soutzoukakia with a robust Agiorgitiko or Xinomavro red wine from Greece, which complements the rich, cumin-spiced meatballs and cuts through their hearty tomato sauce.
• Create Creamy Comfort Side: Serve alongside smooth mashed potatoes or herbed rice to balance the bold flavors and absorb the delicious, spiced tomato sauce.
• Match Mediterranean Mezze Companions: Accompany with tzatziki, warm pita bread, and a crisp Greek salad to enhance the traditional Greek dining experience and provide refreshing contrast to the savory meatballs.
• Cool Down with Refreshing Drink: Enjoy an ice-cold Greek beer like Mythos or Fix, which cleanses the palate and provides a light, crisp counterpoint to the rich, spiced meat dish.

Ways to Put a Twist on Soutzoukakia

• Greek Light Version: Replace beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option. Use whole wheat breadcrumbs to increase nutritional value and create a healthier Mediterranean-inspired dish.
• Spicy Aegean Kick: Add red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños to the meat mixture. Incorporate smoked paprika into the tomato sauce for an extra layer of heat and complexity.
• Vegetarian Mediterranean Transformation: Substitute meat with lentils, quinoa, and black beans. Mash ingredients together, maintaining similar spice profile and shaping technique. Use vegetable broth instead of wine for depth of flavor.
• Low-Carb Greek Style: Replace breadcrumbs with almond flour or crushed pork rinds. Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining traditional soutzoukakia essence.

Why Soutzoukakia Deserves a Spot at Dinner

• Savor Authentic Greek Comfort: Soutzoukakia brings the heartwarming flavors of traditional Greek cuisine right to your dining table with its rich, aromatic spices and tender meatballs simmered in a luxurious tomato sauce.
• Master a Simple Yet Impressive Dish: This recipe offers an easy cooking method that transforms basic ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal, perfect for home cooks wanting to elevate their culinary skills without complex techniques.
• Versatile Meal for Every Occasion: Whether you're hosting a family dinner, preparing a cozy weeknight meal, or wanting to impress guests with international cuisine, these Greek meatballs adapt perfectly to different dining scenarios and pair wonderfully with rice or mashed potatoes.
• Quick and Nutritious Dinner Solution: With just 1.5 hours total preparation time and packed with protein, this recipe delivers a balanced, satisfying meal that's both time-efficient and deliciously nutritious for busy households.

What Goes Into This Greek Meatball Dish

• Ground Beef: Rich protein foundation with robust flavor, choose high-quality meat with moderate fat content for juicy meatballs.
• Eggs: Binding agent that helps hold the meatball mixture together and provides structure.
• Stale Bread or Breadcrumbs: Adds moisture and helps create tender texture, perfect for absorbing flavors.

• Garlic, Cumin, Cinnamon: Essential flavor enhancers that provide depth and warmth to the soutzoukakia, choose fresh garlic and whole spices for maximum taste.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Classic seasoning that balances and highlights the meat's natural flavors.

• Tomato Juice or Chopped Tomatoes, Tomato Paste: Creates rich, smooth sauce base with deep tomato flavor, select ripe and high-quality tomato products.
• Red Wine: Adds complexity and richness to the sauce, choose a dry red wine for best results.
• Onion, Garlic: Provides aromatic foundation and depth to the sauce.
• Sugar, Bay Leaf, Olive Oil: Balancing and complementary ingredients that round out the sauce's flavor profile.

Soutzoukakia Recipe

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4.5 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Greek soutzoukakia brings Mediterranean spice-infused meatballs dancing with rich tomato sauce to your plate. Robust flavors from Smyrna inspire this classic comfort dish that will transport diners straight to warm Greek kitchens.

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Ingredients

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Meat and Protein:

• 800 grams (28 ounces) ground beef
• 2 eggs

Spices and Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons cumin

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, grated
• 5 slices stale bread soaked in red wine and squeezed dry (or 1 cup breadcrumbs)

Liquids and Sauces:

• ¼ cup olive oil
• 3 cups tomato juice (passata) or tinned chopped tomatoes (800 grams or 28 ounces)
• 1 cup red wine
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

Herbs:

• 1 bay leaf

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly blend ground meat with aromatic herbs, breadcrumbs, and spices using fingertips, ensuring uniform mixture. Refrigerate for one hour to enhance flavor infusion and meat cohesion.
2. Remove meat mixture from refrigerator and gently roll into elongated torpedo-shaped morsels, maintaining consistent weight and shape for even cooking.
3. Select preferred cooking method: either bake meatballs in preheated oven until achieving golden-brown exterior or pan-fry with minimal oil for crisp caramelization.
4. Prepare flavor base by gently sweating finely chopped onions in olive oil until translucent and fragrant.
5. Introduce tomato paste, cumin, salt, and pepper, stirring continuously to develop deep, concentrated flavors.
6. Add minced garlic and continue cooking, allowing aromatics to release their essential oils and create complex taste profile.
7. Deglaze pan with wine, then incorporate tomato juice, chopped tomatoes, subtle sugar, and bay leaf. Reduce heat and simmer sauce until achieving desired thickness and richness.
8. Carefully nestle prepared meatballs into simmering sauce, allowing them to absorb liquid and develop additional depth of flavor.
9. Gently cook on low heat for approximately 30 minutes, periodically adjusting seasoning to taste.
10. Serve piping hot alongside complementary side dishes like fluffy rice or creamy mashed potatoes, garnishing with fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

• Grab ground meat that’s slightly fatty for juicier meatballs with deeper flavor profiles.
• Chilling meat mixture before shaping helps ingredients bind and prevents crumbling during cooking.
• Simmering meatballs slowly in rich tomato sauce allows spices to penetrate deeply, creating a more complex taste experience.

• Prep Time: 70 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg