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Quick Recipe for Grilled Bifteki

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K

kosta_karapinotis

Active member
This is an easy dish to make for when I have people over. It comes together quickly! So much more flavorful than the regular, American-style burger, too.

I mix the ingredients together, form them into patties, and grill them on both sides until cooked all the way through. They take about 5-6 minutes on each side. Here's the ingredients list:
  • 1 pound ground beef (or a mix of beef & lamb)
  • 1 small onion, finely grated
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin (optional, for extra depth)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup breadcrumbs (or 2 tablespoons bread soaked in milk)
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar (or lemon juice)
 
That sounds like a fantastic take on a Mediterranean-style burger! I love the addition of oregano, cumin, and smoked paprika—it really gives the patties that extra depth of flavor. The red wine vinegar (or lemon juice) is a great touch too, helping to keep them tender and adding a subtle tang.

I often make a similar mix, sometimes swapping mint for parsley or using a blend of lamb and beef for even more flavor. If I’m feeling extra indulgent, I’ll mix in a bit of crumbled feta right into the patties—it melts slightly as they cook and adds a salty, creamy bite.

These are perfect served with tzatziki on a toasted pita or a brioche bun, along with some sliced tomatoes and red onions. I know those spices aren't traditionally Greek but I have tasted these spices in some dishes on Crete for some reason!
 
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JOIN THE DISCUSSION AND READ OTHER GREEK INFO:

What is your favorite Greek potato dish?

Potatoes show up in so many Greek meals, and I think they are often at their best when they soak up plenty of olive oil, lemon, herbs, and cooking juices.

Greek lemon potatoes are probably the first thing that comes to mind for me. I love when they are roasted until they are soft inside, a little crisp around the edges, and full of lemon and oregano. Potatoes cooked alongside chicken or lamb are also hard to beat because they absorb so much flavor from the pan.

I also enjoy simple boiled potatoes dressed with olive oil, lemon, parsley, and salt, especially with fish or grilled meat.

What Greek potato dish do you make most often? Do you prefer lemon potatoes, potatoes roasted with meat, fried potatoes, or something else? And is there a particular seasoning or family method that makes your version especially good?

Do You Put Cinnamon in Your Keftedes?

I’m curious how everyone here makes keftedes, especially when it comes to cinnamon. I know some Greek families add a little cinnamon to the meat mixture, while others would never think of putting it in.

In my experience, even a small amount can change the flavor quite a bit. It gives the keftedes a warmer, slightly sweeter spice in the background, but I can also see how it might not be for everyone. I’ve had versions that lean more heavily on oregano, mint, parsley, garlic, and onion instead.

Do you put cinnamon in your keftedes? If you do, how much do you usually use, and was that something your family always did? I’d also be curious to know if it varies depending on what part of Greece your family comes from.

Would love to hear how everyone seasons theirs and what you consider essential for really good keftedes.

My Family’s Keftedes Recipe

Keftedes are one of those foods that always remind me of family gatherings. Everyone seems to make them a little differently, but this is the basic version my family has always used.

For about a pound of ground beef, we add one small grated onion, a handful of chopped fresh parsley, a little fresh mint, one egg, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, oregano, and a small splash of red wine vinegar. Sometimes we add a little grated garlic as well.

The important part is mixing everything well and then letting the mixture sit in the refrigerator for a little while before shaping the keftedes. We make them fairly small, roll them lightly in flour, and fry them in olive oil until browned on the outside and cooked through.

We usually serve them with lemon, potatoes, salad, or tzatziki.

How does your family make keftedes? I’m especially curious about which herbs and seasonings everyone uses. Thought I'd share!

Do you make Greek lentil soup with vinegar

I’ve always made fakes with a splash of vinegar, either stirred into the pot near the end or added individually at the table. To me, that little bit of acidity is part of what makes the soup taste right, especially with the earthy lentils, olive oil, onion, garlic, and bay leaf.

But I have a Greek friend who makes hers very differently. She doesn’t use vinegar at all and instead adds quite a lot of tomato product, so her version is much redder and more tomato-forward than mine.

Now I’m curious about what is considered more traditional in Greek cooking. Is vinegar usually a standard part of fakes, or is it more of a regional or family preference? Are tomato-heavy versions just as traditional?

How do you make yours, and what did your family serve growing up?

How Much Garlic in a Batch of Tzatziki?

How much garlic do you usually put in a batch of tzatziki? I think I may be using a little too much. I usually make mine with about 2 cups of Greek yogurt and 4 cloves of garlic, along with cucumber, olive oil, and the other usual ingredients.

It tastes great when I first make it, but we usually take about three days to finish the batch. By the second or third day, the garlic flavor and smell become really strong. Some people in my household love that and don’t mind it at all, but others think it becomes a bit overpowering. I’m starting to agree that four cloves might be too much, especially since the garlic seems to get stronger as it sits.

What do you all do? How many cloves would you use for about 2 cups of Greek yogurt?
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