Quick Easy Cilantro Meatballs in 15 minutes

Name: Quick and Easy Cilantro Meatballs in 15 mins
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 250 grams Beef mince; 1 Garlic (large); 1/4 inch Ginger; 1/2 cup Cilantro (chopped); 2 tbsp Semolina (or dry bread crumbs); 2 tbsp Oil; 1 tsp Coriander; 1/4 tsp Turmeric; 1 tbsp Lemon; Salt & pepper to taste

These cilantro meatballs are tender, juicy and full of flavor. Made with fresh cilantro leaves, a touch of ginger and garlic add a nice kick, a squeeze of lemon adds some zest while turmeric adds a golden sheen. These make perfect appetizers or sides but can be easily transformed into a curry to make the main course when served with rice.

These cilantro meatballs are tender, juicy and full of flavor. Made with fresh cilantro leaves with a touch of ginger and garlic for that added kick. A squeeze of lemon. These make perfect appetizers or sides.

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I am a huge fan of cilantro!! Being Indian by origin I grew up with cilantro in almost all my dishes. I love it so much I find it hard to believe there are many who can’t stand the sight or smell of cilantro too! Ah well, If you here you probably like it too.

Cilantro has that smell of freshness don’t you think? and when cooked it has this rich thick texture that really adds to the sauce. I love the combination of cilantro and coconut as well as cilantro with tomatoes.

My kids have grown up eating Cilantro since they were babies but for Ziv, it was new in the beginning. He has over time begun to like and enjoy it too!

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My Aadi and Rhea are huge fans of meatballs. In fact, one way to get my Rhea to eat meat is meatballs. Her dietitian highly recommends she eats meats but she herself is a very veggie kinda person. Her favorite is my Mongolian Meatballs. Aadi’s favorite is the Turkey Meatballs Pasta. As a family, we all love the Meatball Curry very much.

So let’s talk Ingredients and Substitutes (Save/Pin)

Cilantro – Now this is the star of the show so yes, please use fresh cilantro. Having said that if you prefer you can also use fresh Parsley. Depending on how you like your herbs you can go a little less or more. If you reduce the number of herbs you will just have less thickness in the sauce. But the taste will still be good.
Ginger and garlic – Garlic makes all things better – doesn’t it? Well, ginger adds that earthy pungent flavor that there but not so as strong either.
Semolina or Bread Crumbs – This adds body and helps keep the meatballs nice and juicy making sure you bite into a juicy piece of meat.
Turmeric – You can omit the turmeric but I think it not just enhances the green color and is also a great antioxidant.

I’m a mortar and Pestle kinda girl and do a lot of my blending in this little baby but you can use the food processor or blender as well.

Quick and Easy Cilantro Meatballs in 15 minutes, Beef Meatballs, Cilantro Meatball

Recipe – Quick and Easy Cilantro Meatballs (Save/Pin)

Ingredients

Beef mince – 250 grams (1/2 lbs)
Garlic – 1 large
Ginger – 1/4 inch
Cilantro – 1/2 cup chopped
Semolina or dry bread crumbs – 2 tbsp
Oil – 2 tbsp
Coriander – 1 tsp
Turmeric – 1/4 tsp
Lemon – 1 tbsp
Salt & pepper to taste

Method

Grind the Marinade/Sauce

Place the cilantro, ginger, garlic in a blender (or mortar and Pestle) and blend until smooth

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Season the Meatballs

Add the semolina or breadcrumbs to the meat
Followed by just 1 tbsp of the cilantro marinade
Season with salt and pepper
Divide the meat and foam balls. Do not squish the meat too much and the meatballs will be dense.

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Cook the Sauce

Add oil to a saute pan or fry pan
Followed by the cilantro marinade/sauce
Cook on medium for 3 to 4 minutes – until fragrant.
Add the turmeric and coriander
Season with salt and pepper
Add lemon juice and 1/4 cup water
Let come to a slight boil reduce heat.
Carefully distribute the meatballs in the pan so they are not touching each other.
Shake the pan slightly so the balls sink into the marinade.
Turn the heat down to a medium low
Let cook for 10 minutes turning once or twice so they cook evenly.
If necessary add a few tbsp of water to help cook.
Do not cover the pan as you will lose the pretty green color of the cilantro.
Once the meatballs are cooked thru (about 10 to 12 minutes) remove from heat
Garnish with more fresh chopped cilantro and serve.

Quick and Easy Meatball Cilantro

Want to transform this into a main course with gravy over rice?

When the meatballs are almost done
Mix 1/2 cup coconut milk, or 1/2 cup plain yogurt with 1/2 cup water – stir well so there are no lumps
Add to the meatballs and bring to a boil once more.
Adjust seasoning – add salt or pepper as needed.
Garnish and serve over steaming hot rice.

Don’t forget to save this recipe on Pinterest for later.
You can find a collection of my tutorials and recipes here on Pinterest.

Quick and Easy Cilantro Meatballs, Meatballs Recipe, Cilantro Meatballs in 15 mins

Quick and Easy Cilantro Meatballs in 15 mins

Author: Veena Azmanov

5 from 11 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer, Sides

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: Cilantro meatballs

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 10 mins

Total Time: 15 mins

Calories: 220kcal

Adjust Servings Here: 4 servings