How to Make Stuffed Meatballs?
🥙 How to Make Stuffed Bulgur Meatballs at Home ?| Step-by-Step Recipe and Tips
Delicious minced meat filling wrapped in a thin bulgur shell… İçli Köfte (Stuffed Bulgur Meatballs) is one of the most special Turkish dishes that pleases both the eye and the palate. It can be prepared by either frying or boiling, and is a star on any dinner table. So, how can you make içli köfte at home? Here’s our detailed and easy-to-follow recipe!
🛒 Ingredients
👩🍳 For the Outer Shell:
2 cups fine bulgur for köfte
1 cup semolina
1 cup flour
1 egg
1 tsp red pepper paste
Salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes
About 1–1.5 cups warm water
🥩 For the Filling:
300g ground beef
2 medium onions (finely chopped)
3 tbsp vegetable oil or butter
1 teacup chopped walnuts (optional)
Salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes
A few sprigs of parsley (finely chopped)
🔪 Preparation Steps
1️⃣ Prepare the Filling
Heat oil in a pan and sauté the chopped onions until golden. Add the ground beef and cook until it releases and reabsorbs its juices. Add spices and walnuts, then stir in the parsley. Set aside to cool completely.
2️⃣ Knead the Outer Shell Dough
Place the bulgur and semolina in a large bowl. Gradually add warm water and let it sit for 10 minutes to allow the bulgur to soften. Then add flour, egg, pepper paste, and spices. Knead until you get a soft dough that doesn’t stick to your hands.
3️⃣ Shape the Köftes
Wet your hands and take walnut-sized pieces of dough. Use your thumb to hollow out and thin the center. Add about 1 tsp of filling and seal carefully. Shape into oval or lemon-like forms.
4️⃣ Cooking Options
🔥 Frying:
Heat plenty of oil in a deep pan. Fry the stuffed meatballs until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
💧 Boiling:
Place the köftes in salted boiling water. Once they rise to the surface, cook for another 2–3 minutes, then remove with a slotted spoon.
💡 Tips and Tricks
✅ Kneading the dough thoroughly is crucial. If not kneaded well, the köftes may fall apart during boiling.
✅ The filling must be completely cool; a hot filling can melt the shell.
✅ Keep your hands wet while shaping to prevent sticking.
✅ If frying, make sure the oil is hot enough, or the köftes will absorb too much oil.
🍽️ Serving Suggestion
Serve içli köfte with lemon wedges and lettuce leaves. It pairs perfectly with cold ayran (a yogurt-based drink). 🧊🥛