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Keftedes
Squeeze the soaked bread hard. Put it in a bowl with the meat, grated onion, egg, garlic, mint, parsley, oregano, vinegar, salt and pepper. Knead with your hand for 3 to 4 minutes until the mixture is sticky and holds together.
Questions about this dish
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips.
How long does Keftedes take?
1 hr 50 min all in — 25 min prep, 25 min cook, 1 hr rest. Cook and rest follow the method. Leftover storage and optional extra waits are not included.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 6 people. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
Easy.
How spicy is it?
No chilli.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Wheat, Eggs. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Dairy-free, Nut-free.
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What does it cost to cook?
Weeknight budget — about $8–16 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Mixing bowl, Frying pan, Tongs.
How much salt do I put in?
The recipe lists Salt at 1½ tsp.
What can I use instead?
Beef and pork → All beef, or beef and lamb. All beef is a little leaner and firmer. Lamb adds richness and works well with the mint. Shallow-frying → Baking at 200°C for 20 minutes on an oiled tray. Less crust and less mess. Brush them with oil and turn once.
Any tips from this recipe?
Grated onion and soaked bread are what keep them soft. Dry breadcrumbs make them dense. They are good cold the next day, which is why they go to every picnic.
Can I prepare this ahead?
They are good cold the next day, which is why they go to every picnic. Cover and chill for at least an hour, or overnight. It firms up and is much easier to shape.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.