Soutzoukakia: Greek Spiced Meatballs in Rich Tomato Sauce
Soutzoukakia are delicious Greek meatballs infused with aromatic spices and served in a hearty tomato sauce. Traditionally enjoyed with rice or crusty bread, these meatballs are a comforting dish that highlights the unique blend of flavors that define Greek cuisine. The use of cinnamon and cumin adds an unexpected warmth to the dish, making it perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners. This recipe serves 6-8 people and is sure to become a beloved staple in your meal rotation.
N/A
Servings
338
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground beef
2 lbs (freshly ground)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
cumin seeds
1 teaspoon (whole)
dry white wine
1/4 cup (for marinating meat and for sauce)
white bread
1 cup (soaked in the wine, squeezed)
egg
1 (beaten)
olive oil
1/4 cup (for frying)
flour
to taste (for coating meatballs)
pepper
to taste (freshly ground)
salt
to taste (coarse or fine)
tomatoes
2 cups (peeled and chopped)
vegetable stock
2 cups (low-sodium)
reserved wine
from soaking the bread (used in sauce)
butter
1 teaspoon (unsalted)
cinnamon
1/2-1 teaspoon (ground)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, minced garlic, cumin seeds, dry white wine, soaked white bread (squeezed to remove excess wine), and egg.
2
Season the mixture generously with salt and freshly ground pepper. Gently mix until well combined, but do not overwork it.
3
Shape the mixture into approximately 30 sausage-shaped patties. Roll each patty in flour, coating it evenly.
4
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Fry the meatballs in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook until they are browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the meatballs and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
5
For the sauce, in the same skillet, combine peeled and chopped tomatoes, vegetable stock, and butter. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
6
Add the reserved white wine, cumin seeds, cinnamon, and season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer, stirring occasionally, until it thickens, approximately 10-15 minutes.
7
Once the sauce is thickened, gently add the browned soutzoukakia back into the skillet. Allow them to simmer in the sauce for an additional 10 minutes, ensuring they are warmed through and infused with the tomato sauce flavor.
8
Serve the soutzoukakia warm, garnished with fresh herbs if desired, alongside rice or crusty bread.
Nutrition Information
20g
Fat
15g
Carbs
25g
Protein
1g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Soutzoukakia?
Soutzoukakia are traditional Greek meatballs spiced with cumin and cinnamon, served in a rich tomato sauce.
What meat is used in this recipe?
This recipe uses 2 lbs of freshly ground beef.
What are the primary spices in Soutzoukakia?
The unique flavor comes from a blend of cumin seeds and ground cinnamon.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to serve 6 to 8 people.
How many meatballs are formed?
The mixture should be shaped into approximately 30 sausage-shaped patties.
What is the calorie count per serving?
There are 338 calories per serving.
Is there wine in this recipe?
Yes, dry white wine is used for soaking the bread and as an ingredient in the sauce.
How do you prepare the bread for the meatballs?
The white bread is soaked in dry white wine and then squeezed to remove excess liquid before mixing.
Do the meatballs need to be coated?
Yes, each meatball patty should be rolled in flour for an even coating before frying.
What type of oil is used for frying?
The meatballs are fried in 1/4 cup of olive oil.
How long should the meatballs be fried?
Fry the meatballs in batches for about 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through.
What ingredients are in the tomato sauce?
The sauce consists of chopped tomatoes, vegetable stock, butter, reserved wine, cumin, and cinnamon.
How long does the sauce need to simmer?
The sauce should simmer for approximately 10-15 minutes until it thickens.
How long do the meatballs cook in the sauce?
Once the sauce is thick, add the meatballs and simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving contains 25g of protein.
What should I serve with Soutzoukakia?
They are traditionally served with rice or crusty bread.
Is there any fiber in this dish?
Yes, there is 1g of fiber per serving.
What is the fat content?
Each serving contains 20g of fat.
What is the carbohydrate count?
There are 15g of carbohydrates per serving.
Are the garlic cloves minced or whole?
The recipe calls for 2 minced garlic cloves.
What type of tomatoes should I use?
Use 2 cups of peeled and chopped tomatoes.
Is vegetable stock used?
Yes, 2 cups of low-sodium vegetable stock are used for the sauce.
Can I use butter in the sauce?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of unsalted butter is added to the sauce.
How much cinnamon is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
What is the purpose of the egg?
One beaten egg is used as a binder for the meatball mixture.
Should I overwork the meat mixture?
No, you should gently mix the ingredients until combined without overworking it.
What shape are traditional Soutzoukakia?
They are traditionally shaped into sausage-like oval patties rather than round balls.
Is this recipe considered Mediterranean?
Yes, it is a staple of Mediterranean and specifically Greek cuisine.
What is the total number of ingredients?
The recipe requires 15 distinct ingredients.
Can I garnish the dish?
Yes, you can garnish the finished dish with fresh herbs if desired.