Pulpety: Polish Meatballs in Dill Sauce Recipe (2024)

Pulpety Wieprzowe w Sosie Koperkowym

“Unlike their fried counterparts from other cuisines, these nostalgic Polish meatballs are gently cooked in stock — which turns into a flavourful dill sauce that carries that charming old-school vibe reminiscent of the bygone era.”

How to pronounce it?
pull-petty viepshoveh
‘Play’ to hear:

Pulpety: Polish Meatballs in Dill Sauce Recipe (1)
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A plate of Polish meatballs, complete with creamy dill sauce and tender mashed potatoes, is the perfect quick-yet-satisfying dinner that’ll please everyone.

Pulpety: Polish Meatballs in Dill Sauce Recipe (2)

These ‘Pulpety’ meatballs – unlike their Italian or Swedish counterparts – aren’t fried. Instead, they’re boiled in stock (vegetable or meat-based), which is later transformed into the sauce. Kid’s favourite!

For the full list of ingredients & detailed instructions, please see the recipe card at the end of this post. But before you scroll, there’s important stuff to know below.

I ate a fair share of Pulpety in Dill Sauce in my life, mostly at school canteens and at babcia’s home. It’s one of those dishes that even an extremely fussy eater – such as myself back in the day – would enjoy.

These Polish-style meatballs came out great the very first time I made them. And – they tasted much, much better than the ones I had in the past. Fragrant, soft and fluffy – yet dense enough to keep their round shape.

Pulpety Meatballs in Dill Sauce have that nostalgic quality about them, an old-school vibe of the previous (communist) era. If you would like to try more dishes from that time, try one of these:

  • Kopytka Potato Dumplings
  • Farmer’s Cheese Pierogi
  • Polish Tomato Soup

Do you need any special ingredients to make these Polish Meatballs?

This recipe is really easy to make and you don’t need any special ingredients. To make this dish, you’ll need some ground / minced pork, a stale bread roll, one onion, an egg and a lot of fresh dill.

Pulpety: Polish Meatballs in Dill Sauce Recipe (3)

You can swap the pork for another type of meat, minced chicken or turkey would make a fine substitute. I often replace a regular bread roll with two slices of stale ‘chałka’ (challah-style sweet bread), to add a little bit of sweetness. A brioche would work great too.

What should you serve with these Pulpety Meatballs?

Pulpety are usually served with potatoes (mashed, roasted or simply boiled and topped with melted butter). You could also serve them over kopytka potato dumplings, cooked buckwheat or other grains of your choice.

As every babcia would tell you, vegetables on the side are mandatory. Serve a Polish-style Cucumber Salad, braised beetroots or a couple of Dill Pickles.

Pulpety: Polish Meatballs in Dill Sauce Recipe (4)
Pulpety: Polish Meatballs in Dill Sauce Recipe (5)

For a faster weeknight version, you’ll love these Pulpety over pasta or rice. If you’re limiting carbs, serve them with steamed vegetables – they’ll soak up the dill sauce beautifully.

Can you cook these Polish Meatballs another way?

No, that’s the best way to cook them. If you pan-fry the meatballs, they won’t taste the same.

Pulpety: Polish Meatballs in Dill Sauce Recipe (6)

What diets are these Pulpety Meatballs suitable for?

If you skip the bread roll/brioche in the recipe, this dish will be gluten-free and keto-friendly.

This cooking method (cooking in stock rather than frying) makes pulpety lighter and easier to digest. That’s why they’re a popular choice among kids and those of us with more sensitive stomachs.

How long can you keep these Polish Meatballs in the fridge?

Once you’ve put this dish out, ideally it should be eaten within 3-4 hours.

You can keep any leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days. They can be moved into a container with a lid. I just leave these meatballs in the pot I used for cooking them, covered with a lid.

Can I freeze these Pulpety Meatballs?

Yes, you can! This recipe can be frozen, remember to use a freezer-friendly bag or container. Label it with the date and describe the contents.

How do I reheat these Polish Meatballs?

From chilled: If you’ve kept the leftovers in the cooking pot, you can reheat them by cooking on the stove. 10 minutes on a low to medium heat with occasional stirring should be enough. Do a taste test on a single meatball – if it’s warm and soft throughout, it’s ready to serve.

You can also reheat Pulpety in a microwave-proof container with a loosely fitting lid and heat for 5 minutes until piping hot.

From frozen: Allow to thaw, then cook on the stove for 10 minutes on low to medium heat.

Alternatively, heat covered in the microwave for 3 to 5 minutes – then stir. Continue cooking for a further 5 minutes, until piping hot.

Pulpety: Polish Meatballs in Dill Sauce Recipe (7)

Yield: 3

Pulpety: Polish Pork Meatballs with Creamy Dill Sauce

Pulpety: Polish Meatballs in Dill Sauce Recipe (8)

These Polish meatballs are soft and packed with vibrant dill flavour.

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time20 minutes

Additional Time15 minutes

Total Time45 minutes

Ingredients

For pulpety

  • 1 stale bread roll (brioche, or 2 slices of 'chałka')
  • 0.5 cup milk, for soaking the bread roll
  • 17.5 oz (500 gram) ground pork
  • 1 onion, medium
  • 1 egg
  • 0.5 bunch fresh dill
  • 1 tsp salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste

For cooking / future dill sauce

  • 2 pints (1 litre) vegetable stock, can replace with chicken stock
  • 2 tsp butter
  • 2 tsp flour
  • 0.5 bunch fresh dill

Instructions

  1. Pour milk over the bread roll or brioche, leave it aside to soak for 15 minutes. Pulpety: Polish Meatballs in Dill Sauce Recipe (9)
  2. In a large bowl, mix the minced meat with an egg. Add the roll (squeeze out the milk first) and season with salt and pepper. Pulpety: Polish Meatballs in Dill Sauce Recipe (10)
  3. Grate the onion finely and add to the mix. Add half a bunch of chopped dill. Blend everything together - ideally with your hands. Form walnut to golf-ball sized meatballs.
  4. Heat up the vegetable stock. You can add in some grated vegetables, if there were any left from cooking the stock.
  5. Bring the stock to a boil. Drop pulpety in, one by one. Set the heat to a minimum/low and cook for 20 minutes.
  6. Blend flour with butter, add a few spoonfuls of stock from the stove. Slowly add this mixture back to the pan, and blend carefully with a spoon.
  7. Add chopped dill and turn off the heat. Serve with sides of your choice. Tastes great with potatoes and a beetroot salad.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

3

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 678Total Fat: 42gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 230mgSodium: 2063mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 1gSugar: 5gProtein: 51g

Pulpety: Polish Meatballs in Dill Sauce Recipe (11)
Pulpety: Polish Meatballs in Dill Sauce Recipe (12)

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Recipe Information

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Pulpety: Polish Meatballs in Dill Sauce Recipe (13)

Mains

all-Polish (Popular Nationwide)

Comfort Food, Kid-friendly

Alternative traditional/regional names:
Pulpeciki, Klopsiki
Also known / Misspelt internationally as:

Tested by:

First published on:

Recipe by / Adapted from:

Story by:

Bibliography / References:

Pulpety: Polish Meatballs in Dill Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can you cook meatballs directly in sauce? ›

You can bake your meatballs in the oven, fry your meatballs on the stove, deep fry your meatballs in a deep fryer, or cook your meatballs directly in a pot of tomato sauce. Some people like to drop the raw meatballs directly in a pot of Italian tomato sauce and let them simmer.

What does adding milk to meatballs do? ›

When it comes to adding liquid to meatball mixtures, milk is often used for its versatility, depth of flavor, and richness. Without the use of milk, you may be faced with a plate of dry meatballs. Milk adds a certain level of moisture that helps produce perfectly tender meatballs.

What are Polish meatballs made of? ›

Ingredients
  • 1-1/2 cups soft bread crumbs.
  • 1/2 cup evaporated milk.
  • 1/2 pound ground pork.
  • 1/2 pound ground veal.
  • 1/2 pound ground beef.
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten.
  • 1 tablespoon grated onion.
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley.
Jan 8, 2024

How long to cook meatballs in sauce after browning? ›

Fry the meatballs for 1 minute on each side until browned. Remember, you're not cooking the meatballs through so after 3-4 turns, pull the meatballs off and place them on a paper towel-lined plate. Step 5: Transfer the meatballs to the sauce and allow them to simmer for at least 1 hour.

Is it better to bake meatballs at 350 or 400? ›

After all of the Italian meatballs I've been making lately, I consider myself a meatball expert. A good rule of thumb is to bake meatballs for 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees fahrenheit.

Is it better to bake meatballs or cook them in sauce? ›

The best meatballs are tender, baked and browned in a hot oven to seal in all the juices. Simmered in robust sauce for a couple of minutes ensures they soak up all of those saucy flavours, this is an easy dinner recipe that will be a hit with your family!

What not to do when making meatballs? ›

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Meatballs
  1. Not seasoning the meat.
  2. Not adding any moisture to the meat.
  3. Over-mixing the meat.
  4. Not shaping the meatballs correctly.
  5. Not forming evenly-sized meatballs.
May 1, 2019

Is it better to use water or milk for meatballs? ›

While water and broth may keep the meatballs moist throughout the cooking process, milk's extra fat and luscious consistency add an unmatched level of complexity to any classic meatball recipe.

Why do my meatballs fall apart in the sauce? ›

Don't add too many non-meat ingredients to your meatballs. Herbs and spices are fine, but once you start adding loads of chopped vegetables you'll be creating all sorts of difficulty when it comes to getting it all to stick together. Stick the vegetables in your sauce, or serve them on the side.

What is the difference between regular meatballs and Italian meatballs? ›

American meatballs are the biggest in size, with Italian and Swedish meatballs following on the depth chart. Italian meatballs call for seasonings like grated parmesan and oregano, while Swedish ones use seasonings like nutmeg and allspice. While it doesn't sound like a huge distinction, you'll notice it in the taste!

How do real Italians eat meatballs? ›

Although meatballs cooked in tomato sauce and served with pasta is likely what most Americans first imagine when they think of them, this meatball preparation is virtually nonexistent in Italy. In most regions, meatballs are just fried and eaten as is—enjoyed as a snack or served as a second course without any sauce.

Why do people put flour in meatballs? ›

Filler ingredients like breadcrumbs or flour are important too because they stop the meatballs becoming dry. The breadcrumbs absorb the juices from the meat as it cooks, trapping them within the meatball. Again quantity is important here; too much and your meatball will be more like stuffing or a dumpling.

Do you have to pre cook meatballs before putting in sauce? ›

Simmering: You don't have to brown meatballs before adding them to a sauce, particularly if you're cooking them in a slow cooker like these Slow-Cooker Italian Meatballs.

Can you overcook meatballs in sauce? ›

Don't overcook your meatballs! Most recipes instruct us to bake the meatballs until they are completely cooked. Next, we are to let them simmer away in some kind of sauce for hours. It should be no surprise that your meatball is going to be completely overcooked and dry by the time you eat it.

How to make meatballs that don t fall apart in sauce? ›

The only way to prevent your meatballs from falling apart is to add some flour in the precooked seasoned ground beef. once you season the ground beef to your taste, you then add some flour, not too much but at least half of a handful.

Do you need to brown meatballs before cooking in sauce? ›

But browning the meatballs on the stovetop first creates a crust that creates a more complex flavor and helps the meatballs hold their shape as they simmer. It's an extra step that adds hands-on cook time, but it pays off in flavor dividends.

Do meatballs get more tender the longer they cook in sauce? ›

The longer the simmer, the more tender and succulent the meatballs become. 3. Concentration of Flavors: Simmering at a low temperature for an extended period also encourages the sauce to reduce and thicken.

How long to heat up meatballs in sauce? ›

If you are reheating meatballs that have been stored in tomato sauce, arrange them in a baking dish. Make sure they are in a single layer. Cover the meatballs in tomato sauce and cover tightly with some heavy-duty aluminum foil. Now you want to put the baking dish in the oven and bake meatballs for about 40 minutes.

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