Vegan Greek Meatballs

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Vegan Greek Meatballs

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Prep

15 minutes

Cook

20 minutes

Yield

4

🌱 These Vegan Greek Meatballs are plant-based, protein-packed, and ready in 40 minutes! Served with creamy orzo and whipped vegan feta!

With all the chaos happening in the world right now, staying healthy is on everyone’s mind. What is one way you can ensure your body stays in top shape? Eating delicious, nutritious food that contains ingredients you can a) pronounce, and b) give your body the nutrients it needs to keep your immune system strong. Not to mention how damn good it makes you feel mentally when you are eating good food! These vegan Greek meatballs are made with plant-based ingredients, full of flavor, and will keep your body healthy and happy. You know me; I love my Greek-inspired recipes, and this one is no exception. I really think you’ll love it, whether it’s for lunch, dinner, meal prep, or any other occasion.

❤️ Why You’ll Love These Vegan Greek Meatballs

  • Quick & Easy: These easy vegan Greek meatballs can be made in under 40 minutes from start to finish.
  • Plant-Based Power: No meat required in these balls – they’re completely plant-based and protein-packed.
  • Extra Delicious: The creamy orzo and whipped vegan feta makes this meal so incredibly satisfying.
A top-down view of various ingredients in bowls on a beige surface, perfect for preparing Vegan Greek Meatballs, including chopped onions, cherry tomatoes, crumbled cheese, herbs, lemon halves, orzo pasta, oil, breadcrumbs, and cream.

🍲 Ingredients

Lentils – The base of these lentil Greek meatballs provides plant-based protein, fiber, and iron while creating the perfect meaty texture. Lentils are nutrient powerhouses that help keep your immune system strong and provide sustained energy, plus they absorb all the delicious Greek flavors beautifully.


Fresh Herbs & Aromatics – A combination of fresh dill, parsley, garlic, and onions brings authentic Greek flavor to these vegan keftedes. These ingredients not only add incredible taste but also provide antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that support overall health.

👩‍🍳 How to Make Vegan Greek Meatballs

1. Prepare the meatball mixture: Add all your meatball ingredients into a bowl and mix well using your clean hands until everything is well combined and holds together.

A white bowl contains Vegan Greek Meatballs mixture—ground meat substitute, breadcrumbs, chopped onions, herbs, and a spatula. Nearby are bowls with crumbled feta, chopped herbs, and whole cherry tomatoes.
A frying pan with uncooked Vegan Greek Meatballs, mixed with herbs and onions, sits on a gas stove burner. The flame is on, and the background features a white tiled backsplash.

2. Form the meatballs: Create golf-sized balls from the mixture, making sure they’re compact enough to hold their shape during cooking.

3. Cook the meatballs: Heat your cast-iron skillet or pan and cook the baked vegan Greek meatballs, keeping your eyes on them because they won’t take long to cook and you don’t want them to burn.

A creamy white mixture is blended inside a food processor, destined to pair perfectly with Vegan Greek Meatballs, with a wooden spatula resting in the thick, smooth mixture.
A plate of orzo pasta topped with Vegan Greek Meatballs, halved cherry tomatoes, and a sprinkle of herbs and grated cheese.

4. Make the whipped vegan feta: Process the vegan feta ingredients in a food processor until perfectly whipped and creamy, then place in the fridge to set.

5. Prepare the orzo: Cook the orzo according to package directions, then flavor with pepper and olive oil.

6. Make the tomato salad: Add all the ingredients for the fresh tomato salad and toss together.

7. Plate and serve: Layer the whipped feta, then orzo, then meatballs, and top with tomato salad. Garnish with fresh herbs like dill for an added punch of flavor.

🪄 Tips and Tricks

  • Texture: Use your hands to mix the meatball ingredients for the best texture and binding.
  • Shape: Make sure meatballs are golf-sized and compact so they hold together during cooking.
  • Cooking: Watch the meatballs closely as they cook quickly and can burn if left unattended.
  • Garnish: Fresh dill is the perfect finishing touch, adding authentic Greek flavor to the dish.
A bowl of orzo pasta topped with Vegan Greek Meatballs, crumbled feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, and fresh herbs, all served on a creamy sauce.

🗒 Variations

  • Lentils: Chickpeas or black beans can be used as a substitute for lentils in the meatball mixture.
  • Herbs: Mint or oregano can replace dill and parsley for different Greek flavor profiles.
  • Orzo: Any small pasta like ditalini or even quinoa works as a base for this dish.
  • Vegan Feta: Store-bought vegan feta can replace the homemade whipped version if preferred.


🗒 Best served with

An oval white platter with Vegan Greek Meatballs served over orzo pasta and cherry tomatoes, garnished with herbs and zest, set on a light surface with a striped napkin and small bowl of salt nearby.

👝 How to Store Leftovers

Store the vegan Greek meatballs separately from the orzo and salad in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat meatballs in a skillet or oven to maintain their texture.

🤔 Common Questions

What makes these meatballs hold together without eggs?

The lentils and binding ingredients create enough structure to hold these vegan keftedes together perfectly when appropriately mixed with your hands.

Can I bake these instead of pan-frying?

Absolutely! These baked vegan Greek meatballs can be cooked at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, turning once halfway through.

How do I know when the meatballs are done cooking?

They should be golden brown on all sides and firm to the touch – this usually takes about 8-10 minutes in a hot skillet.

Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?

Yes! Form the meatballs and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before cooking, or cook them thoroughly and reheat when ready to serve.

What can I serve instead of orzo?

Rice, quinoa, or any small pasta works beautifully as a base for these easy vegan Greek meatballs.

How can I make these meatballs more protein-rich?

Add some hemp hearts or nutritional yeast to the mixture for extra protein and a slight cheesy flavor boost.

A bowl with Vegan Greek Meatballs, creamy hummus, sliced cucumber, diced tomatoes, and crumbled cheese, served on a white plate with a beige napkin nearby and a small dish of sauce on the side.

Vegan Greek Meatballs

4.89 from 26 votes
🌱 These Vegan Greek Meatballs are plant-based, protein-packed, and ready in 40 minutes! Served with creamy orzo and whipped vegan feta!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course Main Dishes, Appetizers + Sides, Salads and Greens
Cuisine Vegan
Servings 4
Calories 816 kcal
I’m Your Mommy Now

Your Greek mommy that is. 😍 Step into my kitchen to learn how to make yummy Greek food. 🍽️💃

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs:

For the tomato Salad:

For the Orzo:

For the Whipped Feta:

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Instructions
 

  • Prepare your meatballs by adding all your ingredients into a bowl, mix well using your hands and create golf size balls.  Should yield around 12-14.
  • Heat a cast-iron skillet or pan on high and lightly grease with olive oil spray. You want to add your meatballs to the skillet or pan when you see smoke rising.  Cook for around 5-6 minutes on each side or until perfectly golden all around.  Keep a close eye on the balls to avoid any unnecessary burning.
  • Prepare the salad by adding all the ingredients into a small bowl and stir till combined.  Set aside to marry.
  • Prepare the orzo by following the package instructions.  Once cooked, strain and lightly dust with pepper and olive oil or vegan butter.  Stir till coated.
  • Prepare the whipped feta by adding the ingredients to a high-speed food processor.  Process till perfectly whipped and creamy.  Place in the fridge to set while you plate everything else.
  • I put my plate together by first adding the whipped feta, then the orzo, then the meatballs, then some of that fresh gorgeous salad.
  • Garnish with fresh dill or oregano!

Video

YouTube video

Nutrition

Serving: 4(large dinner serving) | Calories: 816kcal | Carbohydrates: 83.5g | Protein: 14.1g | Fat: 49.4g | Saturated Fat: 17.8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 12.7g | Sodium: 1083.3mg | Fiber: 5.9g | Sugar: 6.5g
Review This Recipe Let us know how it was!
 
Corinne S

5 stars
Love this recipe! I use the meatballs and make a pita sandwich with vegan tzatziki, red onion, cucumber, tomato, and lettuce! The balls hold nicely and reheat well!

Maria Koutsogiannis

thank you so much, corinne!!!

Adonis

Feta is not Vegan.

Maria Koutsogiannis

Vegan feta is 🙂

andrea Lorenzo

wow! This was so amazing. Can’t wait to make it again! My husband loved it.

Maria Koutsogiannis

Thanks for your comment Andrea! I love hearing that 🙂 appreciate your support!

Annette Bedrosian

5 stars
These are delicious! I followed the recipe exactly and they held together very well. I made them a little smaller for an appetizer and served them with the whipped feta and a vegan tzatziki sauce. This recipe is a keeper.

Maria Koutsogiannis

thank you so much for the love hun!

Liliana D

5 stars
Used impossible ground beef and violife feta 🙂 so so so good, loved all the fresh herbs. My husband is not vegan and thoroughly enjoyed this. Next time, I am thinking of adding some chopped kalamata olives to the whipped feta.

Maria Koutsogiannis

Oh that sounds soooo good, Liliana! Please let me know if you give that a try!

4.89 from 26 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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