RECIPE

Grilled Middle Eastern Meatballs

  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME: 25 MIN
  • SERVINGS: 4

Pass crisp lettuce leaves and tangy yogurt with these cumin-spiced patties and assemble them at the table.

  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME: 25 MIN
  • SERVINGS: 4
  • FAST

Ingredients

  • Ingredients
    1. 1 pound ground chuck
    2. 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
    3. 1 garlic clove, minced
    4. 1 tablespoon minced flat-leaf parsley
    5. 1 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh mint
    6. 1 1/2 teaspoons zatar (see Note)
    7. 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
    8. 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
    9. 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
    10. Bibb lettuce leaves and plain yogurt, for serving

Directions

  1. Light a grill. In a medium bowl, gently mix the chuck with the onion, garlic, parsley, mint, zatar, salt, cumin and pepper. Form the meat into 1 1/2-inch balls and flatten them to 3/4 inch thick patties.
  2. Grill the meatballs over moderately high heat until pink in the center, about 2 minutes per side. Wrap the grilled meatballs in lettuce leaves and serve with yogurt.

Notes

Zatar is a Middle Eastern spice blend made with sesame seeds, thyme and sumac, a tart seasoning made from ground dried berries.