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Authentic Greek Biftekia: Juicy Beef Patties with Herbs

Much quicker and less fussy than traditional Greek meatballs, these biftekia (Greek beef patties) are flavorful, simple to prepare, and ideal for a weeknight dinner. The raw patties freeze well, so it’s smart to make a double batch and stash extras in the freezer. When you need a fast meal, you can cook them straight from frozen — no thawing required.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • A pinch or two of dried oregano, crumbled
  • 2–3 slices of bread, soaked in milk and then squeezed dry

Preparation

Place the bread slices in a shallow dish and cover with enough milk to soak them. Let them sit until soft.

Soak bread in milk for greek beef patties, biftekia recipe.

In a mixing bowl combine the ground beef, egg, salt, minced garlic, finely chopped onion, black pepper and dried oregano.

Ingredients for greek beef patty recipe, biftekia.

Squeeze the soaked bread to remove excess milk. Tear it into small pieces and add it to the meat mixture. Use your hands to mix everything together thoroughly but gently — overworking can make the patties dense.

Squeeze excess milk out of bread for greek beef patties recipe, biftekia.

Shape the mixture into patties in the size and thickness you prefer. Thinner patties cook faster and evenly. Lightly coat each patty with oil as you form them to help prevent sticking and encourage browning.

Mix the ingredients for greek beef patties recipe, biftekia.

If you plan to freeze extras, wrap individual uncooked patties in plastic wrap or foil and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Arrange the patties you will cook immediately on a lightly oiled baking pan.

Form the patties for the greek beef patty recipe, biftekia.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the patties for about 10 minutes, then flip and bake for another 10 minutes. For a nicely browned exterior, switch the oven to broil and broil each side for a few minutes — watch them closely to prevent burning. Remove them once they reach your preferred level of crispness and color.

Greek beef patty, biftekia recipe, finished.

Serve the biftekia hot, typically topped with a pat of butter and a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavor. They pair well with a simple salad, roasted vegetables, or rice and are equally good inside pita or served alongside tzatziki for dipping.

This recipe is versatile and family-friendly — easy to scale up for gatherings or to prepare ahead for quick meals. The mild seasoning and juicy texture make it appealing to kids and adults alike. If you’re planning meals for a vacation or busy week, these patties are convenient and satisfying.

Kalo Kalokairi!