Juicy Lemon Meatballs for Weeknight Dinners
These Lemon Meatballs are zesty and juicy with the bright flavor of lemon. They are relatively easy to prepare, making them a perfect main dish to make for dinner on a weeknight.
To make the meatballs, ground beef is mixed with ground chicken, salt, pepper, parsley, egg, parmesan, and breadcrumbs. Then, the mixture is divided into meatballs before being rolled in flour and pan-fried with lemon zest and juice. Once done, the meatballs can be served alongside rice or potatoes, and a vegetable like asparagus or green beans before being served.
What are Lemon Meatballs?
These lemon meatballs are beef and chicken meatballs that are cooked with lemon juice and zest. Lemon zest and juice go into the pan when you cook the meatballs. As a result, the meatballs take on the acidity from the lemon as well as the fragrance from the lemon zest.
Pro Tips
- Don’t overmix the meat mixture or the meatballs may become tough.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to determine when the meatballs are cooked through. When they are done, the thermometer should read 165 F/73.8 C.
- Use a non-stick pan as this will reduce the chances of the meatballs breaking apart or sticking during cooking.
- Feel free to add other herbs into the meatballs such as rosemary or thyme.
What to Serve with Lemon Meatballs?
These lemon meatballs are best served with something starchy like rice, potatoes, or pasta. Feel free to serve them with a tossed green salad or a vegetable like asparagus, green beans, or broccoli.
Can I Use Other Meat in the Lemon Meatballs?
Yes, if you would prefer to make these meatballs with another type of ground meat or a mixture of different types of meat, you definitely could. Ground pork, ground lamb, or ground turkey would all be excellent options in place of the beef and chicken.
Can I Cook the Lemon Meatballs in the Oven?
Yes, if you would prefer to cook the meatballs in the oven instead of a non-stick pan, you definitely could. Simply bake them in the oven, checking them with an instant-read thermometer to determine their doneness.
Are the Lemon Meatballs Gluten-free?
No, these lemon meatballs aren’t gluten-free as they include breadcrumbs to help bind them together. However, if you would like to make them gluten-free, you can omit the breadcrumbs. The meatballs texture just won’t be quite as light and tender as they would be with breadcrumbs.
How to Store Lemon Meatballs
If you have leftovers, you can place the lemon meatballs in a container in the fridge until you are ready to serve them again. They should keep well for 3 to 4 days in the fridge.
Alternatively, you can place them in the freezer where they should keep well for at least 3 months.
Ingredients
How to Make Lemon Meatballs
Step 1: In a bowl, gently knead the ground beef with the ground chicken, egg, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, parsley, salt, and pepper until combined.
Step 1: In a bowl, gently knead the ground beef with the ground chicken, egg, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, parsley, salt, and pepper until combined.
Step 2: Divide the meat mixture into meatballs.
Step 2: Divide the meat mixture into meatballs.
Step 3: Heat the olive oil in a non-stick pan. Toss the meatballs with the flour. Add the meatballs to the pan and cook them for 10 minutes.
Step 3: Heat the olive oil in a non-stick pan. Toss the meatballs with the flour. Add the meatballs to the pan and cook them for 10 minutes.
Step 4: Add the lemon zest and juice over the top and cook them for another 10 minutes or until cooked through.
Step 4: Add the lemon zest and juice over the top and cook them for another 10 minutes or until cooked through.
Step 5: Serve immediately!
Step 5: Serve immediately!
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