Main Course · Lunch · Dinner · Middle Eastern ·

Spicy Tunisian Harissa Meatballs with Mint Yogurt

Name: Spicy Tunisian Harissa Meatballs with Mint Yogurt
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 500g ground beef; 2 tablespoons harissa paste; 1 small onion, finely chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon ground coriander; Salt and pepper, to taste; 1 egg, beaten; 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs; 250g Greek yogurt; A handful of fresh mint leaves, finely chopped; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; Salt, to taste; 1 can (400g) chopped tomatoes; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1 teaspoon harissa paste; Salt, to taste; Fresh coriander leaves; Lemon wedges

Delve into North African cuisine with these spicy, harissa-laced meatballs complemented by a cooling mint yogurt sauce.

4.1(328 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·July 5, 2025

Spicy Tunisian Harissa Meatballs with Mint Yogurt — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Meatballs

For the Mint Yogurt Sauce

For the Tomato Sauce

For the Garnish

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 517 kcal
Protein: 30.75 g
Carbs: 17.25 g
Fat: 35.25 g
Fiber: 1.75 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2067 kcal
Protein: 123 g
Carbs: 69 g
Fat: 141 g
Fiber: 7 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
500g ground beef	1435	94	0	115	0
2 tablespoons harissa paste	60	1	10	2	1
1 small onion finely chopped	28	1	7	0	1
2 garlic cloves minced	9	0	2	0	0
1 teaspoon ground cumin	8	0	1	0	1
1 teaspoon ground coriander	5	0	1	0	1
Salt and pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
1 egg beaten	68	6	1	5	0
2 tablespoons breadcrumbs	54	2	11	1	0
250g Greek yogurt	160	15	11	3	0
A handful of fresh mint leaves finely chopped	1	0	0	0	0
1 tablespoon lemon juice	4	0	1	0	0
Salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0
1 can (400g) chopped tomatoes	80	4	18	0	4
1 tablespoon olive oil	119	0	0	14	0
1 teaspoon sugar	16	0	4	0	0
1 teaspoon harissa paste	15	0	2	1	0
Salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0
Fresh coriander leaves	1	0	0	0	0
Lemon wedges	4	0	1	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Meatballs

1
Combine Meatball Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, harissa paste, onion, garlic, cumin, and coriander.
2
Add Egg and Breadcrumbs
Add salt, pepper, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs. Mix thoroughly.
3
Refrigerate Mixture
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Tip: Chill the meatball mixture before shaping for best consistency.

Preparing the Mint Yogurt Sauce

1
Mix Ingredients
In a bowl, mix Greek yogurt, chopped mint leaves, and lemon juice.
2
Season and Stir
Season with salt and stir until well combined.
3
Chill Sauce
Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Tip: Allow the yogurt sauce to rest for a minimum of 20 minutes for flavors to meld.

How to Make Spicy Tunisian Harissa Meatballs with Mint Yogurt

Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Making the Meatballs
Roll the chilled mixture into ping-pong size balls.
2
Preparing the Tomato Sauce
Heat olive oil in a saucepan, add tomatoes, sugar, and harissa; simmer for 10 minutes.
3
Cooking the Meatballs
Fry the meatballs over medium heat until golden brown on all sides.