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Traditional Romanian Meatball Soup Recipe: A Hearty and Flavorful Delight


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  • Author: Clara
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: servings

Description

Warm up with this comforting and flavorful Romanian classic! Traditional Romanian Meatball Soup combines tender, herb-infused meatballs with a tangy and aromatic broth, making it a perfect dish for cozy nights or a taste of authentic Romanian cuisine.


Ingredients

For the Meatballs

  • 1 pound ground turkey (or a mix of ground beef and pork)
  • 1/4 cup short-grain white rice, rinsed
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Soup

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 small parsley roots (or parsnips), diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 1/2 small celery root (or 2 celery ribs), diced
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 quarts chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon dry lovage (or 1/4 cup fresh lovage leaves)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Sour cream (for serving)
  • Green chili peppers (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Make the Meatballs

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, rice, parsley, dill, egg, salt, and pepper.
  2. Mix until well incorporated and slightly sticky.
  3. Wet your hands to prevent sticking, and shape the mixture into small 1-inch meatballs. Place them on a tray and refrigerate.

2. Sauté the Vegetables

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
  2. Add carrots, parsley root, bell pepper, onion, and celery root. Season with a pinch of salt.
  3. Cook, stirring frequently, until onions are translucent (about 5 minutes).

3. Prepare the Broth

  1. Pour chicken broth into the pot, stirring to combine with the sautéed vegetables.
  2. Dissolve the tomato paste into the broth using a spoon.
  3. Add dry lovage, bay leaves, and black pepper. Bring the soup to a steady simmer.

4. Cook the Meatballs

  1. Gently drop the meatballs into the simmering broth.
  2. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Cover the pot and reduce heat to low.
  3. Cook for about 30 minutes, until the meatballs are tender and the rice inside is fully cooked.

5. Add the Finishing Touches

  1. Stir in the lemon juice and fresh parsley. Adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.
  2. Remove bay leaves before serving.

6. Serve and Garnish

  1. Ladle the soup into bowls.
  2. Garnish with a dollop of sour cream and sliced green chili peppers for an optional spicy kick.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: omanian