These juicy Greek Bifteki are a beloved Mediterranean treasure – seasoned beef patties baked to perfection alongside zesty lemon potatoes.
Ready in just 80 minutes, this authentic Greek main dish brings taverna-style dining right to your kitchen.
The aromatic blend of herbs and garlic infuses the meat, while the potatoes soak up bright citrus flavors as they roast.
Perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests, this recipe yields 10 generously-sized patties that’ll transport you straight to the sunny Greek isles.
Ingredients
For the Beef Patties:
- Minced beef: 1kg (35 ounces), preferably with some fat content for juiciness
- Tomato: 1 ripe, grated finely to add moisture
- Red onion: 1 medium, grated for better incorporation
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced finely for flavor
- Breadcrumbs: 1 cup, helps bind the mixture
- Eggs: 2 large, acts as a binder
- Parsley: 4 tbsp, freshly chopped for freshness
- Seasonings: 2 tsp oregano, 4 tsps salt, 1.5 tsp pepper
- Olive oil: 2 tbsp, adds moisture and flavor
- Red wine vinegar: 1 tbsp, enhances taste
For the Lemon Potatoes:
- Potatoes: 1 kg, cut into wedges or use baby potatoes whole
- Lemon juice: From 1 fresh lemon
- Mustard: 1 tablespoon, adds tanginess
- Olive oil: 50 ml for roasting
- Water: 100 ml to create steam
- Aromatics: 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tsp each dried oregano and thyme
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat Mixture: Combine beef with all patty ingredients in a large bowl. Knead for 10 minutes until well mixed. Add breadcrumbs if too wet, water if too dry.
- Rest the Mixture: Refrigerate for 10 minutes to firm up.
- Shape the Patties: Form into flat, round patties of equal size.
- Prepare Oven: Heat to 180°C (350°F).
- Season Potatoes: Mix all potato ingredients in a bowl, ensuring even coating.
- Initial Bake: Place seasoned potatoes in a 30x40cm pan, bake for 20 minutes.
- Complete Baking: Add patties over potatoes, cover with foil and bake 20 minutes. Remove foil, bake additional 10 minutes until golden.
- Serve: Dish out while hot and enjoy this authentic Greek meal!
Cooking Techniques
Making bifteki is all about getting the texture just right! The secret lies in kneading the meat mixture for about 10 minutes – this helps all the lovely flavors blend together perfectly.
Take your time with this step – it’s like giving the meat a gentle massage. The resting time in the fridge is another helpful tip that makes the patties easier to shape and helps them hold together better while cooking.
Variations & Substitutions
This classic Greek dish is super flexible! You can swap the beef for a mix of beef and pork, or try lamb for an extra Mediterranean touch.
If you’re watching your carbs, use almond flour instead of breadcrumbs. No fresh parsley? Dried works too – just use 1 tablespoon instead of 4.
For the potatoes, sweet potatoes make a yummy alternative, and they soak up all those amazing Greek flavors just as well.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these juicy bifteki and lemony potatoes with a classic Greek salad on the side – think crisp cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese.
A dollop of tzatziki sauce adds a cool, creamy touch that’s just perfect with the meat. Want to go extra traditional?
Warm up some pita bread to scoop up all those tasty meat juices and potato marinade. A simple side of grilled vegetables would be lovely too!
Storage Tips
These bifteki stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. They’re great for meal prep!
You can also freeze the uncooked patties – just place wax paper between each one and pop them in a freezer bag.
They’ll keep for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to cook, let them thaw overnight in the fridge.
The cooked potatoes are best eaten fresh, but they’ll keep for 2 days in the fridge – just warm them up in the oven to get their crispiness back.
Greek Bifteki (Baked beef patties) with lemon potatoes
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Roasting pan (30×40 cm)
Ingredients
For the beef patties
- 1 kg minced beef (35 ounces)
- 1 whole ripe tomato grated
For the potatoes
- 1 kg potatoes cut in wedges (or baby potatoes)
- 1 whole lemon juiced
Instructions
- To prepare this Greek beef bifteki (patties) recipe, add in a large bowl the minced beef along with the rest of the ingredients and mix thoroughly with your hands. If the mixture is too sticky add some more breadcrumbs (or some water if it is to dry), till the mix is solid. If you have the time, it is better to knead the mixture for about 10 minutes, until all the ingredients combine.
- When done, put the mixture for the burgers (bifteki) in the fridge to rest for about 10 minutes.
- Form the mixture in flat round burgers.
- Preheat oven to 180* C (350* F).
- If using large potatoes, cut the potatoes into wedges. In a large bowl add all the ingredients for the potatoes and whisk to combine. Add the potatoes and toss to coat.
- Transfer the potatoes and the marinade to a 30×40 cm roasting pan. Spread them out in the pan and bake for 20 minutes.
- Once the potatoes are partly cooked, place the patties over them. Bake covered with aluminum foil for 20 minutes. Remove the aluminum foil and bake for 10 more minutes.