Authentic Greek Bifteki Recipe (Yiayia Vaso’s Famous Bifteki Recipe)

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This juicy Greek bifteki recipe is stuffed with feta and packed with flavour. It’s an easy, authentic dish you can cook in the oven or on the BBQ.

In Greece, bifteki refers to Greek beef patties; think of them as burgers with a Mediterranean twist.

This is my Yiayia Vaso’s recipe. She never made them with the feta in the middle, so you can simply use this recipe and omit the feta if you prefer them plain. I decided to add the feta for a twist on the classic.

When we have guests over, I typically do half plain, half with feta.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Bifteki with Feta Recipe

-Juicy, not dry, even without the fat (though don’t be me, include it!)
-Easy to prep ahead and refrigerate before cooking
-Customisable, plain or stuffed with feta

How to serve Bifteki

Biftekia are versatile. Here are my favourite ways to enjoy them:

-Stuffed in pita bread as a proper Greek burger with all the toppings.
-With tzatziki and a crisp Greek lettuce salad.
-With Greek lemon potatoes for a complete, hearty dinner.

Do I need to mince the chuck steak or can I use store bought mince

Yes, you can use already minced beef from the shops. You don’t need to mince the chuck steak like I have. I did it for 2 reasons… one the flavour is better but ground beef packets from the store are just as delicious. And 2… I really wanted to use my KitchenAid meat mincer haha.

Bifteki Split Open with Feta Inside on Plate

Juicy Greek Bifteki Recipe with Feta

This authentic Greek bifteki recipe has been handed down from Yiayia Vaso and perfected over time. Juicy and flavour-packed, these Greek burgers are made with fresh herbs, breadcrumbs, and onion, with an optional cube of feta hidden in the centre for a creamy surprise. Whether pan-fried or baked, biftekia are the ultimate Greek comfort food: delicious with tzatziki, Greek salad, or lemon potatoes.

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Prep Time 1 10

Cook Time 5

Servings: 10 Biftekia

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Greek

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

1 kilo minced beef or beef/pork mix – chuck steak if possible
1 onion grated
1 cup breadcrumbs
2 eggs
1 tsp dried mint
1 tsp dried oregano
Handful fresh continental parsley chopped
1 tbsp olive oil plus extra for pan frying
1 tbsp minced garlic about 2 cloves
1 tbsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
Feta cubes optional, for stuffing
Lemon wedges for serving

Equipment

1 KitchenAid KSM160 with Mincer

Method

In a large bowl, combine minced meat, onion, breadcrumbs, eggs, mint, oregano, parsley, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavours to develop.
Shape the mixture into oval patties. If using feta, place a cube in the centre of each patty and seal it inside.
Rub a little olive oil around each bifteki before cooking.
Pan-fry over medium-high heat for 2–3 minutes per side, then stand the patties on their edges briefly to brown the sides.
Alternatively, bake at 180°C (350°F) for 25–30 minutes until cooked through.
Serve hot with a squeeze of lemon, alongside tzatziki, Greek salad, or lemon potatoes.

FAQs: Bifteki Greek Burger Patties Recipe

1.Bifteki what meat should I use?
Traditionally, bifteki is made with ground beef, lamb, or a mix of both, and pork. Beef is most common, but lamb adds extra flavour and richness. Beef and pork is also a great combo. Using chuck steak that you mince yourself is also a great option for maximum juiciness.

What is bifteki Greek?
In Greece, bifteki refers to oval-shaped meat patties, often described as Greek burgers. They’re made with minced meat, herbs, onion, and breadcrumbs, and can be pan-fried or baked.

What does bifteki mean?
The word “bifteki” comes from the French “bifteck,” meaning beefsteak. In Greek cuisine, it refers to beef patties that are similar to burgers but packed with Mediterranean flavours.

What is bifteki made of?
Classic bifteki ingredients include minced beef (or lamb), onion, breadcrumbs, eggs, parsley, oregano, mint, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Some variations include feta cheese stuffed inside for extra flavour.

Can I make bifteki with feta?
Yes! Bifteki with feta is a delicious variation where a cube of feta is placed inside the meat mixture before cooking. The feta melts slightly, giving a salty, creamy surprise in the centre.

Bifteki vs Keftedes – what’s the difference?
Keftedes are small, round Greek meatballs usually fried, while biftekia are larger, oval-shaped patties often baked or pan-fried. Think of bifteki as the Greek version of a burger.

Are biftekia the same as Greek burgers?
Pretty much! Biftekia are often called Greek burgers because they’re shaped like patties and can be served in a bun or with sides like salad and potatoes. The main difference is the herbs and flavours that make them distinctly Greek.

Can bifteki be baked instead of pan-fried?
Absolutely. For Greek baked beef patties, place them in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for 25–30 minutes until cooked through. Baking is a lighter option, while pan-frying gives a crispier crust.