16 Meatball Recipes from Around the Globe

From kofta to fish balls to tsukune, the whole world loves balls of meat

By May 06, 2016

16 Meatball Recipes from Around the Globe
Ariana Lindquist

From classic Italian meatballs to cream-sauced Swedish meatballs, these hearty recipes are perfect comfort food.

In Sweden meatballs are served plain, as a snack; on a sandwich with beet salad; or as they are here, with mashed potatoes, creamy gravy, and tart lingonberry preserves. Get the recipe for Swedish Meatballs with Mashed Potatoes (Køttbullar mit Potatismos) »
Full-flavored chicken meatballs smothered in a sweet and salty glaze. Get the recipe for Japanese Grilled Chicken Meatballs (Tsukune) »

Moroccan Meatballs with Arugula

These lamb meatballs are simmered in a harissa-spiked tomato sauce, served over peppery arugula, and drizzled with bright yogurt-thickened aïoli. Get the recipe for Moroccan Meatballs with Arugula »

Beef and Lamb Koftas with Mustard

Beef and Lamb Koftas with Mustard

Welsh-Style Pork Meatballs with Onion Gravy (Faggots with Onion Gravy)

These liver-enriched pork meatballs, named for the old northern British term for uncased sausage, are delicious doused in a buttery onion gravy. Get the recipe for Welsh-Style Pork Meatballs with Onion Gravy (Faggots with Onion Gravy) »

Frikadelki in Broth with Fermented Herbs

Frikadelki in Broth with Fermented Herbs

Cheddar and Sausage Balls

Sharp Cheddar and Pork Sausage Balls

Classic Meatballs

The key to making these meatballs is to brown them first in a skillet and then braise them in a sauce of red wine and tomatoes. Serve them with crusty bread or spaghetti to sop up the sauce. Get the recipe for Classic Meatballs »

Beet Stew with Lamb Meatballs

For this traditional Iraqi-Jewish dish, ground-lamb meatballs are braised in a vibrant beet stew. Get the recipe for Beet Stew with Lamb Meatballs »

Kibbeh (Beef and Bulgur Wheat Meatballs)

Middle Eastern kibbeh is a finely ground paste of bulgur, onions, and lamb or beef, which is formed into patties or balls, filled with coarsely ground, sweetly spiced meat, onions, and pine nuts, and deep-fried. Get the recipe for Kibbeh (Beef and Bulgur Wheat Meatballs) »

Sardine Miso Ball Soup

“Sardines” and “miso soup” probably don’t go in the same sentence very often, but here they make a great pair. Get the recipe for Sardine Miso Ball Soup »

Meatballs in Tomato Sauce (Keftedes me Saltsa Domata)

Get the recipe for Keftedes »

Tangcu Muli Rouwan (Sweet and Sour Pork Meatballs)

These succulent Sichuan meatballs are fried until crisp, then coated with a sweet and sour sauce. Get the recipe for Tangcu Muli Rouwan (Sweet and Sour Pork Meatballs) »

New Jersey Pork Roll Meatball Sub

Two great New Jersey tastes that taste great together: juicy meatballs fortified with New Jersey pork roll (a.k.a. Taylor ham). Get the recipe for New Jersey Pork Roll Meatball Sub »

Kefta Tagine (Lamb Meatball and Egg Tagine)

Cumin- and paprika-spiced kefta (lamb meatballs), baked eggs, and kalamata olives are the hallmarks of this elegant tagine from the Moroccan restaurant Le Timgad in Paris. Get the recipe for Kefta Tagine (Lamb Meatball and Egg Tagine) »

Fish Balls in Tomato Sauce

A spicy tomato sauce injects bright flavor into these fish balls, a North African Jewish delicacy. Get the recipe for Fish Balls in Tomato Sauce »

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