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Slow Cooker Greek Meatball Soup with Lemon and Rice

Slow Cooker Greek Meatball Soup with Lemon and Rice
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Slow Cooker Greek Meatball Soup with Lemon and Rice is a comforting and vibrant dish combining tender meatballs, aromatic herbs, tangy lemon, and fluffy rice in a warm, soul-soothing broth. Perfect for easy weeknight dinners or sharing with family, this recipe highlights bright Greek flavors with minimal effort using a slow cooker.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatball Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground beef, lamb, or turkey
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Soup Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for finishing)

Optional Garnishes

  • Crumbled feta cheese
  • Additional fresh dill
  • Greek yogurt dollop

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatballs: In a bowl, combine ground meat with finely chopped onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, and freshly chopped dill and parsley. Season generously with salt and pepper, then gently mix until evenly combined. Shape the mixture into bite-sized meatballs and set aside.
  2. Sauté the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic and diced onions until fragrant and translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. This step enhances the soup’s depth but can be skipped if you’re short on time.
  3. Assemble in the Slow Cooker: Add the sautéed onions and garlic to the slow cooker along with chicken broth, rice, lemon zest, and the meatballs. Stir gently to combine everything well.
  4. Cook Low and Slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the rice is tender, absorbing those beautiful lemon broth flavors.
  5. Add Lemon Juice and Fresh Herbs: Once the soup is done, stir in fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley for a fresh pop of brightness. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed before serving.

Notes

  • Don’t overmix the meat to keep meatballs tender.
  • Use long-grain white rice for best texture that holds up in slow cooking.
  • Add lemon juice at the end to preserve its fresh flavor and bright color.
  • Browning meatballs before adding to slow cooker is optional but adds extra flavor.
  • Check rice doneness 30 minutes before the minimum cooking time as slow cookers vary.

Nutrition

Keywords: Greek meatball soup, slow cooker soup, lemon rice soup, easy Greek dinner, comfort food, healthy soup

Find it online: https://juliaglam.com/slow-cooker-greek-meatball-soup-with-lemon-and-rice/