Meatballs

Polpette is a word denoting Italian meatballs, traditionally consisting of ground beef or veal (and sometimes pork) that is shaped into small balls. These meatballs are usually enriched with a wide variety of ingredients such as parsley, eggs, gar... READ MORE

This hearty Greek soup couples tender beef meatballs and a creamy, flavorful broth. The meatballs and the broth are usually seasoned with various fresh herbs, and the whole dish is finished with the addition of avgolemono—the creamy... READ MORE

Islama köfte are traditional Turkish meatballs originating from Adapazarı, the capital of Sakarya province. The meatballs are usually made with a combination of grated stale bread, ground beef, onions, garlic, cumin, paprika, eggs, salt, and ... READ MORE

Kofta or köfte are walnut-sized fried meatballs, usually made from ground beef or lamb. It is a popular Turkish meze dish that is often prepared for special occasions and cocktail parties, since the meatballs are quite easy to prepar... READ MORE

Köttbullar are famous Swedish meatballs with a crispy brown exterior, and light, airy and tender texture on the interior. The original recipe for the dish first appeared in Cajsa Warg's 1754 cookbook. The meatballs usually consist of beef mix... READ MORE

Albóndigas en salsa is a traditional dish that's typically eaten as a tapa. This appetizer consists of meatballs in rich tomato sauce. The small meatballs are often made with a combination of beef, pork, veal (or a combination of the three)... READ MORE

Flavorful, fluffy, and tender, keftedakia are Greek meatballs made from a combination of ground pork and beef, eggs, stale bread or breadcrumbs, and seasonings such as dill, pepper, parsley, and oregano. The mixture is shaped into small balls whic... READ MORE

Bún chả is a pork and noodle dish that is intricately connected to Hanoi, where it is believed to have originated. The dish combines three elements: a bowl of grilled pork meatballs served in a cold broth, a plate of rice noodles, and a com... READ MORE

Polpette al sugo is a traditional dish consisting of meatballs in sauce. Although there are numerous recipes, the meatballs are usually made with a combination of ground meat (beef or veal), eggs, bread soaked in milk, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, ... READ MORE

Tsukune is a yakitori version that is prepared with ground chicken. The meat is seasoned, and it is typically formed in oblong patties or small meatballs that are skewered on bamboo sticks. Like other types of yakitori, the skewers are typically s... READ MORE

Kibbeh is a unique mixture of soaked bulgur wheat and other ingredients, typically lamb meat, and it is also considered the national dish of Lebanon and Syria. Fragrantly spiced and eaten as a snack for casual or celebratory meals, Kibbeh can be r... READ MORE

The Turkish version of Lebanese kibbeh are stuffed meatballs called içli köfte. The exterior is made from a combination of bulgur wheat, potatoes or semolina, and spices, while the stuffing contains onions, ground lamb or beef... READ MORE

The most famous Turkish meatball dish was invented by Mustafa Efendi, a Turkish immigrant from Bulgaria who came to İnegöl in the late 19th century. İnegöl köfte are made with breadcrumbs and a mixture of ground beef or lamb, season... READ MORE

Chiftele are crispy, deep-fried Romanian meatballs traditionally made from minced pork or chicken, bread crumbs, and mashed potatoes, flavored abundantly with onions, garlic, lovage, and parsley leaves. Apart from the traditional meat-based chifte... READ MORE

The crispy, golden Finnish meatballs are traditionally made with beef, with the occasional addition of ground pork. The meat is frequently seasoned with allspice and combined with a mixture of breadcrumbs, eggs, and onions. Although they appear in... READ MORE

Kefta tagine is a classic Morrocan tagine variety consisting of small meatballs in a homemade tomato sauce, and are prepared in the eponymous conical cooking vessel.

The meatballs are shaped into spheres the size of a cherry tomato, made of... READ MORE

Contrary to what one might think upon hearing the name of the dish, lion's head is a meal consisting of big pork meatballs that are stewed with noodles and vegetables such as cabbage. It dates back to the times of the Sui Dynasty, when Emperor Yan... READ MORE

Bakso is a popular Indonesian meatball soup. Like many other dishes in Indonesia, it grew out of Asian and European influences in the country. Throughout Indonesia, there are many variations of bakso, but all of them include three main ingredients... READ MORE

İzmir köfte is a Turkish comfort food dish consisting of köfte (meatballs), peppers, and potatoes in a simple tomato sauce. The dish can either be prepared on a stove or baked in the oven. Köfte are typically made with ground beef o... READ MORE

Bakso goreng is a crispy, deep-fried meatball dish from Indonesia, often enjoyed as a snack or side dish. Unlike the classic bakso, which is typically served in a soup, bakso goreng is fried until golden brown, result... READ MORE

As the name suggests, this bakso variety hails from Solo (Surakarta). It is prepared with firm, but tender beef meatballs that are served in beef broth. The dish is usually accompanied by yellow or vermicelli noodles and various garnishes... READ MORE

Dawood basha is a traditional and Syrian and Lebanese dish consisting of meatballs that are braised in tomato sauce. The meatballs are made from ground beef or a combination of beef and lamb, along with onions, parsley, cayenne pepper, salt, and a... READ MORE

Abkhazura is a traditional dish originating from Abkhazia. These spicy meatballs are prepared with a combination of beef, pork, parsley, dill, coriander, pepper, onions, and summer savory. The meat needs to be tightly rolled in caul fat before it'... READ MORE

Frikadeller are popular Danish and German meatballs that are usually made with ground pork, with the occasional addition of ground veal. These small meatballs have been prepared and consumed in that part of Europe for more than 200 years. The term... READ MORE

Akçaabat köftesi is a traditional dish originating from the eponymous town in Trabzon. The dish consists of fried meatballs. They are unique in a way because the locals only use the veal of the calves they breed and slaughter. The meat... READ MORE

These delectable fried meatballs are prepared in both Albania and Kosovo either as a main dish or an appetizer. The origin of qofte fërguara can be ascribed to Turkish and Middle Eastern influence on the region, evident in both the ingredient... READ MORE

This popular Belgian dish known as boulets liégeoise consists of beef and pork meatballs that are simmered in a gravy made with onions, flour, beef broth, and sirop de Liége. Sultanas are often added to the meatballs, and th... READ MORE

Contrary to popular belief, spaghetti and meatballs is not an Italian dish, and if one travels to Italy, it will appear on some menus simply to satisfy the appetites of some American tourists. Consisting of spaghetti combined with tomato sauce and... READ MORE

Bitterballen are Dutch deep-fried, breadcrumbed, meat-filled balls. The filling usually consists of beef, flour, beef broth, and various seasonings. The dish is usually served as a snack at bruin cafes, a popular type of bar in the Nether... READ MORE

Meatball sandwich is an Italian-American invention typically consisting of a long Italian-style roll filled with meatballs, red sauce, and mild cheeses such as mozzarella or provolone. It is believed that this sandwich was invented in the USA at t... READ MORE

Kjøttboller or kjøttkaker are traditional Norwegian meatballs. Even though they share many similarities to their Swedish counterpart, they are usually larger in size and more often shaped as meat patties or meat cak... READ MORE

Gehaktballen are the Dutch version of meatballs, characterized by their large size. The dish is typically associated with winter, as it is a classic representative of Dutch comfort food. These meatballs are usually made with a combination of groun... READ MORE

Kufteh Tabrizi are large, stuffed meatballs usually made with ground beef or lamb, split yellow peas, rice, and a variety of fresh herbs and spices. The filling enclosed in the meatballs mostly consists of nuts and dried fruits, and occasionally w... READ MORE

Kadinbudu köfte (lit. lady’s thigh köfte) is a Turkish dish made with ground beef or lamb, rice, onions, eggs, flour, oil, and various spices. It is believed that the unusual name stems from the Ottoman era because it resembled wom... READ MORE

Bocadillo de albóndigas is the Spanish version of the popular Italian-American meatball sandwich. It is typically made with a Spanish-style baguette called barra de pan, although other types of bread may also be used such as rustic... READ MORE

This classic Bulgarian dish consisting of meatballs in rich tomato sauce is an authentic delicacy from the city of Chirpan. The region around the city is famous for the production of numerous vegetables, so it is no surprise that kjufteta po Chirp... READ MORE

Beef balls are Chinese food items made with finely pulverized beef and other types of ground meat, such as pork. The tiny tendons in each ball will dissolve during the process of slow cooking. Because the meat in beef balls is pulverized and not g... READ MORE

Königsberger Klopse is a savory meal consisting of meatballs in a white sauce served with a side of boiled potatoes and sliced pickled beets. Similar dishes have existed since the Middle Ages, but klopse (lit. meatballs) were invented in K&ou... READ MORE

Bakso bakar is a popular Indonesian street food dish consisting of grilled meatballs, usually made from beef, that are skewered, basted in a flavorful sauce, and grilled over hot charcoal until smoky, slightly charred... READ MORE

Bánh mì xíu mại is a traditional bánh mì sandwich variety made with ground pork meatballs as the main ingredient. The meatballs are usually made with a combination of ground pork, corn starch, fish sauce, garlic,... READ MORE

Pork ball is a Chinese meatball consisting of ground pork and starch, while cuttlefish is sometimes added to the combination in order to add flavor and impart a chewy texture to the meatballs. These chewy meatballs are popular in China, Hong Kong,... READ MORE