Print

Grandma’s Fried Meatballs (Romanian Chiftele): 1 Secret

Fried Meatballs (Romanian Chiftele)
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Learn how to make authentic Romanian Fried Meatballs (Chiftele) with this easy recipe. Enjoy savory meat fritters, perfect as a main course or side dish. This traditional Romanian Chiftele recipe will guide you through each step, from preparing the meat mixture to pan-frying the meatballs to golden perfection. Discover the best way to fry Chiftele and create a delicious meal your family will love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb Ground meat (90% lean pork)
  • 3 slices Hardened bread
  • 1 Green onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup Fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup Fresh dill, chopped
  • 2 Eggs
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup Flour, for coating
  • Vegetable cooking oil, as needed for frying

Instructions

  1. Soak the hardened bread in water or milk until softened.
  2. In a large bowl, combine ground meat, finely chopped onions, garlic, and fresh herbs. Add eggs, salt, and pepper. Squeeze excess water from the bread, crumble, and add to the mixture.
  3. Mix well with your hands until the composition is combined.
  4. Sprinkle flour on your working space. Place a flour-filled plate nearby. Take a spoonful of the meat mixture, dredge through flour, and coat well.
  5. Flatten the meatball with your hand and roll the edges between your palms to form a patty.
  6. Place on the floured surface and repeat until all the mixture is used.
  7. Place a large pan on medium-high heat with enough oil to fry the meatballs.
  8. Carefully place the meatballs in the pan, ensuring not to overcrowd.
  9. Fry for about 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
  10. Remove the fried meatballs and place them on a platter lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
  11. Continue frying in batches until all meatballs are cooked.
  12. Serve your delicious Romanian Fried Meatballs (Chiftele) with mashed potatoes or your favorite sides.

Notes

  • Using a combination of ground meat (especially beef) makes them tastier.
  • Sometimes we replace the bread with one or two finely grated raw potatoes.
  • Experiment with different fresh aromatic herbs for enhanced flavor and taste (as basil, thyme, oregano).
  • Let the mixture rest for about 1 hour covered in the fridge to better infuse all flavors into the meat before frying.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://sarecipe.com/fried-meatballs-romanian-chiftele/