Sour Meatball Soup Recipe

🌿 Sour Meatball Soup Recipe (Serves 6)

Sour meatball soup is a filling and refreshing dish loved all over Anatolia. The slight sourness of the lemon and the soft texture of the meatballs make this soup special.

🧾 Ingredients

For the meatballs

• 250 g ground meat (medium fat)
• 2 tablespoons fine bulgur
• 1 tablespoon rice
• 1 small onion (grated)
• Salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes

For the soup

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 6 cups water (meat broth optional)
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon yogurt
• Salt

For the topping

• 1 teaspoon mint
• 1 teaspoon butter

👩‍🍳 Preparation

1. Meatball Preparation:

• Knead all meatball ingredients.
• Make hazelnut-sized meatballs, place on a floured plate.
• Lightly shake the meatballs and coat them in flour.

2. Soup Basis:

• Melt the butter and oil in a pot.
• Add the flour and fry lightly (until the smell comes out).
• Add the water little by little and mix.

3. Cooking the Meatballs:

• Add the meatballs to the soup that has started to boil.
• Cook on low heat until the meatballs are soft (about 15-20 minutes).

4. Preparation of the Seasoning:

• Whisk the yogurt, lemon juice and egg yolk in a bowl.
• Warm up the seasoning by taking 1 ladle of hot water from the soup.
• Slowly add it to the soup and mix. Boil for another 3-4 minutes.

5. For the topping:

• Melt the butter in a small pan and add the mint.
• Pour over the soup when serving.

🍋 Serving Suggestion

Served hot. Fresh lemon slices and warm pita bread go great with it.

Note: Letting the meatballs rest in the refrigerator for 10 minutes before boiling them will provide a firmer and more consistent structure.