Meatballs with dill sauce – a flavorful recipe for those who appreciate authentic tastes and food cooked with love. This simple yet delicious recipe combines juicy meat with a creamy and aromatic sauce, perfect to be enjoyed alongside a side of rice or mashed potatoes. Get ready for a culinary experience that will take you back to your grandmother's time, where food cooked with patience and love was the norm.
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
For meatballs:
- 500 g mixed minced meat (pork + beef)
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- 10 g iodized salt
- 2 g freshly ground pepper
- 2 g sweet paprika
- 300 ml canola oil for frying
For dill sauce:
- 100 g butter
- 2-3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 250 ml cold water
- 10 g iodized salt
- 2 g grated nutmeg
- 2 g freshly ground pepper
- 1/2 bunch fresh dill
- 2-3 tablespoons sour cream
Instructions
Step 1: Preparing the meatballs
1. Mix the ingredients: In a large bowl, add the minced meat, eggs, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and sweet paprika. Mix well by hand or with a spatula until all ingredients are well combined. The secret to perfect meatballs is vigorous mixing, which helps to homogenize the mixture.
2. Form the meatballs: With wet hands, shape the meatballs to about 5 cm in diameter. Ensure they are all the same size for even cooking.
3. Fry the meatballs: In a deep skillet, heat the canola oil over medium heat. When the oil is hot (you can check by throwing a drop of water – if it sizzles, it’s ready), add the meatballs. Fry them for about 5-7 minutes on each side until golden and crispy. Use a spatula to carefully turn them over.
4. Drain excess oil: Once fried, remove the meatballs to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the excess oil.
Step 2: Preparing the dill sauce
1. Melt the butter: In the same skillet, lower the heat and add the butter. Let it melt completely.
2. Add the flour: When the butter has melted, add the flour and mix vigorously with a spatula or whisk to avoid lumps. Continue to stir for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture turns slightly golden.
3. Add liquids: Gradually start adding cold water, stirring continuously to maintain a smooth texture. Then add the sour cream, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
4. Finalizing the sauce: When the sauce begins to thicken, add the finely chopped fresh dill. Mix well and let it simmer for another minute.
Step 3: Assembling the dish
1. Add the meatballs to the sauce: Place the fried meatballs in the skillet, covering them with the dill sauce. Let them simmer together for 2-3 minutes to blend the flavors.
2. Serving: Serve the meatballs with dill sauce hot, alongside a side of boiled rice or mashed potatoes. A slice of warm homemade bread is also an excellent choice to soak up the delicious sauce.
Practical tips
- For meat: Choose fresh, high-quality minced meat. A combination of pork and beef provides excellent taste and texture. You can also experiment with chicken, but the flavors will differ.
- Fresh dill: Dill adds a fresh and aromatic note to the sauce, but you can experiment with other herbs like parsley or thyme to vary the flavor.
- Oven option: If you prefer a healthier option, you can bake the meatballs. Preheat the oven to 180°C, place the meatballs on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Nutritional benefits
Meatballs with dill sauce are a good source of protein due to the meat, and dill brings vitamins A and C, known for its antioxidant properties. This dish is hearty and offers a good balance between protein and carbohydrates, especially when served with a side of rice or potatoes.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I use turkey meat? Yes, turkey meat is a leaner and healthier alternative, but it will require an adjustment of spices to compensate for the lack of fat.
- What type of sour cream is recommended? I recommend sour cream with a higher fat content (at least 20%) for a creamier sauce.
- Can I prepare the meatballs in advance? Yes, you can prepare the meatballs a day ahead and store them in the fridge. Reheat them in the sauce before serving.
Share your recipe
Whether you are preparing this recipe for yourself or for loved ones, meatballs with dill sauce are always a hit. Don’t forget to share this recipe with friends or post it on social media. Finally, I invite you to try other meat dishes, such as oven-roasted meat or gulyás, to discover new flavor combinations. Enjoy your meal!
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
For meatballs:
- 500 g mixed minced meat (pork + beef)
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- 10 g iodized salt
- 2 g freshly ground pepper
- 2 g sweet paprika
- 300 ml canola oil for frying
For dill sauce:
- 100 g butter
- 2-3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 250 ml cold water
- 10 g iodized salt
- 2 g grated nutmeg
- 2 g freshly ground pepper
- 1/2 bunch fresh dill
- 2-3 tablespoons sour cream
Instructions
Step 1: Preparing the meatballs
1. Mix the ingredients: In a large bowl, add the minced meat, eggs, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and sweet paprika. Mix well by hand or with a spatula until all ingredients are well combined. The secret to perfect meatballs is vigorous mixing, which helps to homogenize the mixture.
2. Form the meatballs: With wet hands, shape the meatballs to about 5 cm in diameter. Ensure they are all the same size for even cooking.
3. Fry the meatballs: In a deep skillet, heat the canola oil over medium heat. When the oil is hot (you can check by throwing a drop of water – if it sizzles, it’s ready), add the meatballs. Fry them for about 5-7 minutes on each side until golden and crispy. Use a spatula to carefully turn them over.
4. Drain excess oil: Once fried, remove the meatballs to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the excess oil.
Step 2: Preparing the dill sauce
1. Melt the butter: In the same skillet, lower the heat and add the butter. Let it melt completely.
2. Add the flour: When the butter has melted, add the flour and mix vigorously with a spatula or whisk to avoid lumps. Continue to stir for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture turns slightly golden.
3. Add liquids: Gradually start adding cold water, stirring continuously to maintain a smooth texture. Then add the sour cream, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
4. Finalizing the sauce: When the sauce begins to thicken, add the finely chopped fresh dill. Mix well and let it simmer for another minute.
Step 3: Assembling the dish
1. Add the meatballs to the sauce: Place the fried meatballs in the skillet, covering them with the dill sauce. Let them simmer together for 2-3 minutes to blend the flavors.
2. Serving: Serve the meatballs with dill sauce hot, alongside a side of boiled rice or mashed potatoes. A slice of warm homemade bread is also an excellent choice to soak up the delicious sauce.
Practical tips
- For meat: Choose fresh, high-quality minced meat. A combination of pork and beef provides excellent taste and texture. You can also experiment with chicken, but the flavors will differ.
- Fresh dill: Dill adds a fresh and aromatic note to the sauce, but you can experiment with other herbs like parsley or thyme to vary the flavor.
- Oven option: If you prefer a healthier option, you can bake the meatballs. Preheat the oven to 180°C, place the meatballs on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Nutritional benefits
Meatballs with dill sauce are a good source of protein due to the meat, and dill brings vitamins A and C, known for its antioxidant properties. This dish is hearty and offers a good balance between protein and carbohydrates, especially when served with a side of rice or potatoes.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I use turkey meat? Yes, turkey meat is a leaner and healthier alternative, but it will require an adjustment of spices to compensate for the lack of fat.
- What type of sour cream is recommended? I recommend sour cream with a higher fat content (at least 20%) for a creamier sauce.
- Can I prepare the meatballs in advance? Yes, you can prepare the meatballs a day ahead and store them in the fridge. Reheat them in the sauce before serving.
Share your recipe
Whether you are preparing this recipe for yourself or for loved ones, meatballs with dill sauce are always a hit. Don’t forget to share this recipe with friends or post it on social media. Finally, I invite you to try other meat dishes, such as oven-roasted meat or gulyás, to discover new flavor combinations. Enjoy your meal!