Succulent Lamb Meatballs with Refreshing Mint Gravy: A Mediterranean Delight

There’s something truly magical about the combination of tender lamb and fresh mint that transports you straight to the sun-drenched hills of the Mediterranean. This exquisite lamb meatballs with mint gravy recipe represents the perfect marriage of robust, earthy flavors with bright, herbaceous notes that will elevate your dinner table to restaurant-quality heights.

Lamb meatballs have been a cornerstone of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine for centuries, celebrated for their rich flavor profile and incredible versatility. Unlike their beef or pork counterparts, lamb meatballs offer a distinctively complex taste that pairs beautifully with aromatic herbs and spices. The addition of a luxurious mint gravy transforms this humble dish into something truly extraordinary, creating a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate.

The beauty of this recipe lies not only in its exceptional taste but also in its accessibility. While lamb might seem intimidating to some home cooks, these meatballs are surprisingly straightforward to prepare. The key lies in selecting quality ground lamb and understanding how to balance the seasonings to complement, rather than overpower, the meat’s natural richness.

Fresh mint plays a starring role in this dish, appearing both within the meatballs themselves and prominently featured in the accompanying gravy. This herb brings a cooling, aromatic quality that cuts through the richness of the lamb, creating a perfectly balanced meal. The mint gravy, in particular, is what sets this recipe apart from traditional meatball preparations, offering a sophisticated twist that will impress even the most discerning dinner guests.

What makes this dish particularly appealing is its versatility in presentation and pairing. These lamb meatballs work beautifully as part of an elegant dinner party spread, served alongside creamy mashed potatoes or fluffy rice pilaf. Alternatively, they can be enjoyed as a more casual family meal, perhaps tucked into warm pita bread with fresh vegetables and a dollop of yogurt.

The preparation process itself is therapeutic and rewarding. There’s something deeply satisfying about rolling the seasoned meat mixture into perfect spheres, watching them brown beautifully in the pan, and then simmering them gently in the fragrant mint gravy until they reach peak tenderness. The aroma that fills your kitchen during cooking is nothing short of intoxicating, with the earthy lamb mingling with fresh herbs and aromatic spices.

From a nutritional standpoint, lamb offers excellent protein content along with essential vitamins and minerals, including iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. When combined with fresh herbs and prepared with minimal added fats, this dish provides a wholesome, satisfying meal that aligns well with various dietary preferences.

The mint gravy deserves special mention for its innovative approach to traditional pan sauces. By incorporating fresh mint leaves, garlic, and a carefully balanced blend of seasonings, this gravy becomes more than just an accompaniment – it becomes an integral component that ties the entire dish together. The gravy’s consistency should be smooth yet substantial enough to coat the meatballs beautifully, creating an elegant presentation worthy of any special occasion.

Ingredients

For the Lamb Meatballs:

• 1 pound ground lamb
• 1 small onion, finely minced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Mint Gravy:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups beef or lamb stock
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon honey (optional)

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground lamb, minced onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, fresh mint, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined, being careful not to overwork the mixture.
2. Shape the mixture into 16-18 evenly sized meatballs, approximately 1.5 inches in diameter. Place them on a plate and refrigerate for 15 minutes to help them hold their shape during cooking.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and brown them on all sides, turning carefully to maintain their shape. This should take about 8-10 minutes total. Remove meatballs and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add butter. Once melted, whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to create a light roux.
5. Gradually whisk in the stock, ensuring no lumps form. Add minced garlic and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
6. Return the meatballs to the skillet and add chopped mint leaves. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until meatballs are cooked through and the gravy has thickened.
7. Stir in lemon juice and honey if using. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
8. Serve immediately, garnished with additional fresh mint leaves if desired.

Lamb Meatballs with Mint Gravy

Tender, flavorful lamb meatballs simmered in a refreshing mint-infused gravy, perfect for Mediterranean-inspired dinners.

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Dish

Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern

Calories: 285

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Lamb Meatballs

• 1 pound ground lamb
• 1 small onion finely minced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 0.25 cup fresh breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp fresh mint chopped
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 0.5 tsp ground coriander
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Mint Gravy

• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups beef or lamb stock
• 0.25 cup fresh mint leaves chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tsp honey optional

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Large skillet
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons

Method

 

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground lamb, minced onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, fresh mint, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
2. Shape mixture into 16-18 evenly sized meatballs. Place on a plate and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown meatballs on all sides, about 8-10 minutes total. Remove and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to create a roux.
5. Gradually whisk in stock, ensuring no lumps form. Add minced garlic and bring to a gentle simmer.
6. Return meatballs to skillet and add chopped mint leaves. Cover and simmer 15-20 minutes until cooked through.
7. Stir in lemon juice and honey if using. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
8. Serve immediately, garnished with additional fresh mint leaves if desired.

Notes

For best results, use fresh mint and don’t overwork the meat mixture. Meatballs can be made ahead and frozen before cooking. Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or flatbread.

Serving Suggestions and Storage Tips

These lamb meatballs with mint gravy pair wonderfully with creamy mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, or warm flatbread. For a lighter option, serve over a bed of mixed greens or alongside roasted vegetables. The dish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days and reheated gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of stock if needed to thin the gravy.

The key to success with this recipe lies in not overworking the meat mixture and maintaining gentle heat throughout the cooking process. The mint should be fresh for optimal flavor, and the gravy consistency can be adjusted by simmering longer to thicken or adding more stock to thin.