Meatballs in a frying pan

Cookinero 6 Nov 2025

Meatballs are a national dish in several countries, although they originally came from the cuisine of the Turkic peoples. They can be cooked in different ways: in the oven, steamed, but the most common is meatballs in a frying pan. Different types of meat or fish will also work. They differ from cutlets in that cereals or pieces of vegetables are added to meatballs, and sometimes bread or cheese. Making delicious homemade meatballs with gravy in a frying pan is easy, and the result will definitely be delicious.

How to cook Meatballs in a frying pan

Step 1

Meatballs in a frying pan

Cook the rice until half-ready. To do this, pour water into a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Add a little salt and pour in the rice. Stir everything once. Bring it to a boil again over medium heat. When the dish starts to bubble, remove it from the heat and rinse the rice. Throw it into a colander and let the water drain.

Step 2

Meatballs in a frying pan

In a deep bowl, mix the minced meat with finely chopped onion. Add the egg, salt, pepper and mix. If desired, you can add herbs (for example, parsley). Then put the rice in a bowl with the other ingredients and mix the minced meat well for the meatballs.

Step 3

Meatballs in a frying pan

Using wet hands, form the minced meat into meatballs. This is to prevent the minced meat from sticking to them. Next, pour flour into a flat plate. Roll each ball in flour on all sides. You can skip this step if you want the dish to be healthier.

Step 4

Meatballs in a frying pan

Heat a frying pan on the stove. Pour in vegetable oil. Fry the chopped carrots and onions until soft. Then put these ingredients in a bowl and spread the meatballs in the frying pan. You can take another frying pan or use the one you used to fry the vegetables.

Step 5

Meatballs in a frying pan

In a separate bowl, mix tomato paste, spices, sugar, flour, salt, pepper. Add warm water. Mix everything again. Then put the cooled vegetables in the sauce and mix well.

Step 6

Meatballs in a frying pan

Pour the sauce over the meatballs, add the bay leaf, put everything on medium heat and simmer the dish with the lid closed. When the sauce boils, turn the meatballs over so that they do not burn and continue to simmer for about 30 minutes until done. After that, if necessary, add salt, pepper, spices. Garnish with parsley or dill and serve hot.

Meatballs in a frying pan - FAQ About Ingredients, Baking Time and Storage

Yes, you can use brown rice, but keep in mind it has a longer cooking time. You may need to par-cook the brown rice a bit longer before adding it to the meat mixture, or add a little extra liquid to the sauce to accommodate the extra cooking time.
Absolutely! You can freeze the uncooked meatballs by placing them on a parchment-lined baking sheet until solid, then transferring to a freezer bag. They'll keep for up to 3 months. When ready to cook, you can add the frozen meatballs directly to the simmering sauce, though you'll need to increase the cooking time by about 10-15 minutes.
For a vegan alternative, you can use a 'flax egg' (1 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tbsp water, left to thicken for 5 minutes). Alternatively, a tablespoon of tomato paste, mashed potato, or even some extra breadcrumbs can help bind the ingredients together, though the texture might be slightly different.
Yes, the flour is mainly to help with browning and creating a slight crust. You can skip it for a lower-carb version, but your meatballs might be a bit more delicate to handle. Make sure your mixture is well-chilled before forming the balls to help them hold their shape.
Store leftover cooked meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Make sure to cool them completely before storing. Reheat thoroughly in a pan, microwave, or oven until piping hot throughout.
Yes, you can use other types of mince. Ground chicken, turkey, or even lamb will work well. Just be aware that leaner meats like chicken or turkey might result in a slightly drier meatball, so you might want to add a tablespoon of olive oil or an extra egg yolk to the mixture to add moisture.
Yes! To bake, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the formed meatballs on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through. While they'll be tasty, they won't have the saucy, stewed quality of the original recipe. You could then warm them in a little of the sauce before serving.
These saucy meatballs are fantastic served over mashed potatoes, pasta, polenta, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. They're also great with a side of steamed or roasted vegetables like green beans or broccoli. A simple green salad also works well to balance the richness.

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