Matzo Ball Soup

מרק כדורי מצה

HungaryAshkenaziPassover Meat 195 min 8 servings Medium
Matzo Ball Soup

Fluffy matzo meal dumplings floating in golden chicken broth — the Passover seder's most beloved first course. 'Jewish penicillin' is the nickname affectionately given to this restorative soup across the Ashkenazi world, a bowl of warmth, memory, and tradition.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup matzo meal
  • 4 eggs
  • ¼ cup schmaltz (or olive oil)
  • ¼ cup chicken broth
  • salt
  • pepper
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 3 carrots
  • 3 celery stalks
  • 1 whole chicken (3kg)
  • 1 large onion
  • 1 parsnip
  • bunch fresh dill
  • peppercorns

Instructions

  1. 1

    Soup: Place whole chicken in a large pot. Add vegetables, dill, peppercorns, and 4L cold water. Bring to boil, skim foam. Reduce heat and simmer 2 hours. Strain. Season with salt.

  2. 2

    Matzo balls: Whisk eggs with schmaltz and broth. Stir in matzo meal, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Refrigerate 30 minutes.

  3. 3

    With wet hands, form mixture into smooth balls (they will expand!). Handle gently — do not overwork.

  4. 4

    Drop into a large pot of gently simmering salted water. Cover and cook 35–40 minutes without lifting the lid.

  5. 5

    Serve in hot golden broth with a slice of carrot.

Kosher notes

Meat. Use schmaltz for the most traditional flavor. Oil works for a lighter version.

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Global Jewish Kitchen — recipes are labeled meat, dairy, or pareve. We are not a kashrut agency. Customs differ. Ask your rabbi.