These Greek Beef Biftekia are packed with fresh herbs, garlic, red onion, mint, and crumbled feta cheese, then pan-fried in olive oil until golden brown and juicy on the inside.
Biftekia are traditionally made with ground beef, aromatic herbs, and simple ingredients that bring incredible flavor to every bite. My version combines fresh parsley, mint, garlic, red onion, shallot, oregano, and dill to create a flavorful herb mixture that gets incorporated directly into the ground beef. Additionally, breadcrumbs and egg help bind everything together, while crumbled feta adds a delicious salty and tangy bite.
Feeds 2-4 people
Prep time 20 minutes
Cook time 6-8 minutes
Why This Biftekia Recipe Works
Fresh Herbs Bring Incredible Flavor: One of the biggest reasons these biftekia stand out is the combination of fresh parsley and mint. Instead of relying entirely on dried seasonings, blending fresh herbs with garlic, red onion, shallot, and vinegar creates an aromatic paste that distributes flavor throughout the ground beef. The mint adds a refreshing element that pairs perfectly with the richness of the beef.
Feta Cheese Adds a Salty, Tangy Bite: Crumbled feta cheese brings another layer of flavor to these Greek beef patties. Its salty, slightly tangy taste complements the fresh herbs and garlic while adding little pockets of deliciousness throughout each patty. It’s a simple ingredient that makes a big difference in the finished recipe.
Refrigerating Helps the Patties Hold Their Shape: After assembling the biftekia, allowing them to rest in the refrigerator for approximately 20 minutes helps the patties firm up before frying. This makes them easier to handle and helps prevent them from falling apart when they hit the skillet. The breadcrumbs and egg also work together to bind everything while keeping the texture tender.
Pan-Frying Creates a Beautiful Golden Crust: Cooking these biftekia in olive oil over medium-low heat allows the outside to develop a delicious golden-brown crust without cooking the exterior too quickly. Since the patties are smaller, they cook relatively quickly while maintaining a juicy interior. Finally, finishing them with fresh lemon juice and olive oil brightens everything up!
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds ground beef: I recommend using ground beef with around 80/20 fat content for juicy, flavorful patties.
- 3 tablespoons red or white wine vinegar
- 5 large garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 small red onion, peeled and quartered
- 1 small shallot, peeled and quartered
- ¾ cup finely chopped fresh parsley
- ½ cup finely chopped fresh mint
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- Olive oil for frying
- Juice of 1 lemon
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- All-purpose burger seasoning (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the Herb Mixture: First, add the vinegar, garlic cloves, red onion, shallot, parsley, mint, oregano, dill, salt, pepper, and a splash of olive oil to a food processor.
Blend Until Smooth: Next, blend everything together until it forms a fine paste-like consistency. You want the herbs and aromatics finely processed so they distribute evenly throughout the ground beef.
Combine the Ingredients: Now, add the ground beef to a large mixing bowl. Add the breadcrumbs, egg, crumbled feta cheese, and herb mixture from the food processor. Mix everything together until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the finished patties dense.
Form the Biftekia: Once everything is combined, begin assembling your beef patties. For my version, I use approximately 2½ tablespoons of the meat mixture per patty. I prefer making them slider-sized because they’re perfect for serving as an appetizer or building a Greek-inspired meal. Feel free to make yours larger if you prefer!
Arrange and Season: Next, lay the assembled patties out on a parchment-lined baking sheet. This step is optional, but I like lightly seasoning both sides with an all-purpose burger-style seasoning for an additional layer of flavor.
Refrigerate the Patties: Before frying, place the patties in the refrigerator for approximately 20 minutes. This helps them firm up and hold their shape when they hit the hot skillet.
Heat the Skillet: Meanwhile, heat a skillet over medium-low heat with enough olive oil or beef tallow to come approximately halfway up the sides of the patties. I like using this amount of oil because it helps develop an even golden crust while allowing the patties to cook consistently throughout.
Fry the Biftekia: Once the oil is heated, carefully add the patties to the skillet without overcrowding. Fry for approximately 2 minutes per side, adjusting the cooking time depending on their thickness. Always use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness. Ground beef should reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
Finish with Lemon and Olive Oil: Finally, transfer the cooked biftekia to a serving platter. Drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice over the top while they’re still warm.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve these Greek beef patties warm alongside your favorite tzatziki sauce. They’re delicious as an appetizer, tucked into warm pita bread, or served with a fresh Greek salad. Enjoy!
Final Thoughts On Biftekia (Greek-Style Beef Patties)
These Greek Beef Biftekia are one of those recipes that prove you don’t need complicated ingredients to make something incredibly flavorful. Between the fresh parsley, mint, garlic, feta, and oregano, every bite is packed with classic Mediterranean flavors. I especially love making these into smaller slider-sized patties because they’re perfect for entertaining, meal prepping, or serving alongside a big bowl of tzatziki. Don’t forget that final drizzle of olive oil and fresh lemon juice because it really brings everything together. Give these a try, and I promise they’ll become a regular in your recipe rotation!
If you are looking for more Greek inspired recipes check out my Lamb Meatballs or my Chicken Souvlaki
Biftekia (Greek-Style Beef Patties)
Biftekia are traditional Greek-style beef patties made with ground beef, aromatic herbs, and simple ingredients that bring incredible flavor to every bite. My version combines fresh parsley, mint, garlic, red onion, shallot, oregano, and dill to create a flavorful herb mixture that gets incorporated directly into the ground beef. Additionally, breadcrumbs and egg help bind everything together, while crumbled feta adds a delicious salty and tangy bite.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef: I recommend using ground beef with around 80/20 fat content for juicy, flavorful patties.
- 3 tablespoons red or white wine vinegar
- 5 large garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 small red onion, peeled and quartered
- 1 small shallot, peeled and quartered
- ¾ cup finely chopped fresh parsley
- ½ cup finely chopped fresh mint
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- Olive oil for frying
- Juice of 1 lemon
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- All-purpose burger seasoning (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the Herb Mixture: First, add the vinegar, garlic cloves, red onion, shallot, parsley, mint, oregano, dill, salt, pepper, and a splash of olive oil to a food processor.
Blend Until Smooth: Next, blend everything together until it forms a fine paste-like consistency. You want the herbs and aromatics finely processed so they distribute evenly throughout the ground beef.
Combine the Ingredients: Now, add the ground beef to a large mixing bowl. Add the breadcrumbs, egg, crumbled feta cheese, and herb mixture from the food processor. Mix everything together until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the finished patties dense.
Form the Biftekia: Once everything is combined, begin assembling your beef patties. For my version, I use approximately 2½ tablespoons of the meat mixture per patty. I prefer making them slider-sized because they're perfect for serving as an appetizer or building a Greek-inspired meal. Feel free to make yours larger if you prefer!
Arrange and Season: Next, lay the assembled patties out on a parchment-lined baking sheet. This step is optional, but I like lightly seasoning both sides with an all-purpose burger-style seasoning for an additional layer of flavor.
Refrigerate the Patties: Before frying, place the patties in the refrigerator for approximately 20 minutes. This helps them firm up and hold their shape when they hit the hot skillet.
Heat the Skillet: Meanwhile, heat a skillet over medium-low heat with enough olive oil or beef tallow to come approximately halfway up the sides of the patties. I like using this amount of oil because it helps develop an even golden crust while allowing the patties to cook consistently throughout.
Fry the Biftekia: Once the oil is heated, carefully add the patties to the skillet without overcrowding. Fry for approximately 2 minutes per side, adjusting the cooking time depending on their thickness. Always use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness. Ground beef should reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
Finish with Lemon and Olive Oil: Finally, transfer the cooked biftekia to a serving platter. Drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice over the top while they're still warm.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve these Greek beef patties warm alongside your favorite tzatziki sauce. They're delicious as an appetizer, tucked into warm pita bread, or served with a fresh Greek salad. Enjoy!
Notes
Refrigerating Helps the Patties Hold Their Shape: After assembling the biftekia, allowing them to rest in the refrigerator for approximately 20 minutes helps the patties firm up before frying. This makes them easier to handle and helps prevent them from falling apart when they hit the skillet. The breadcrumbs and egg also work together to bind everything while keeping the texture tender.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 750Sodium: 920mgFiber: 2gProtein: 48g
