Soutzoukakia (Greek Smyrna-Style Meatballs in Tomato Sauce)
Rich, cumin-spiced soutzoukakia — Greek Smyrna-style meatballs simmered in tomato sauce. A dish of history, warmth, and deep flavor ready in 50 minutes.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 500 g ground beef, 80/20
- 100 g ground pork
- 2 slices stale bread soaked in water and squeezed dry
- 1 medium onion grated
- 3 clove garlic minced
- 1.5 tsp ground cumin
- 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
- 0.5 tsp dried oregano
- 1 large egg
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil for browning
For the Tomato Sauce
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 3 clove garlic minced
- 60 ml dry red wine
- 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes
- 200 ml water or chicken stock
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 0.5 tsp sugar
- 1 bay leaf
- salt and pepper to taste
To Serve
- fresh flat-leaf parsley
- crusty bread, rice, or orzo
Instructions
- Combine ground beef, pork, soaked bread, grated onion, garlic, cumin, cinnamon, oregano, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix well with hands until cohesive.
- Shape into elongated ovals (about 40g each, 6-7cm long). Refrigerate 15 minutes if time allows.
- Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a wide, heavy pan over medium-high. Brown meatballs in batches, 2 minutes per side. Remove to plate.
- In the same pan, cook diced onion in 3 tbsp olive oil over medium heat, 4-5 minutes. Add garlic, cook 1 minute. Add wine, reduce by half (~2 minutes).
- Add crushed tomatoes, water or stock, cumin, sugar, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Return meatballs to sauce. Partially cover and simmer on low for 20-25 minutes, turning once halfway through. Sauce should thicken to coat a spoon. Remove bay leaf.
- Rest 5 minutes off heat. Scatter fresh parsley over top. Serve with crusty bread, rice, or orzo.
Notes
Browning before braising is essential for depth of flavor. Can be made ahead and refrigerates well for 3 days. Freeze meatballs in sauce for up to 2 months. Baking option: after browning, bake covered at 180C/350F for 25 minutes, then uncovered 10 minutes.
Nutrition
Calories: 480kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 30g | Fiber: 3g