Looking for a delicious and easy recipe for juicy pork meatballs (Kotlety)? This simple homemade pork meatball recipe combines lean ground pork, moist bread crumbs, sautéed onions, and savory seasonings like Mrs. Dash and mayo to create flavorful, tender meatballs with a crispy golden exterior. Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or serving as appetizers, these homemade meatballs are a crowd-pleaser. Serve them with your favorite sides like mashed potatoes, rice, or salad, or enjoy them with marinara sauce for a classic dish. This recipe is versatile, easy to make, and customizable with substitutions and variations.

Ingredients:

2 slices of good black bread
1 lb lean ground pork (I recommend grinding your own lean pork)
1 small/medium onion, finely chopped
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 tsp Mrs. Dash seasoning
3/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
1 Tbsp mayo
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
Oil for sautéing (I used extra light olive oil)

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350˚F. Dry the bread slices in the oven for about 25 minutes until completely dried, or place them in the sun to dry.
Once the bread is fully dried, soak it in water for 10 minutes. After soaking, squeeze out the excess water and drain well. Use a bowl to help drain the bread crumbs in your colander. Break the bread into small crumbs.
In a medium pan, sauté the finely chopped onions over medium/high heat until golden brown, then set them aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground pork, moist bread crumbs, sautéed onions, beaten egg, Mrs. Dash seasoning, salt, black pepper, and mayo. Mix well until fully incorporated.
Shape the mixture into 1 1/2″ meatballs and slightly flatten each one. Roll the meatballs in bread crumbs and set them aside on a platter.
Heat a large non-stick pan (or cast-iron skillet) over medium heat and add 2 Tbsp oil. Once the oil is hot, add half of the meatballs (around 10) and sauté for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Add more oil as needed during cooking.
Transfer the meatballs to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These juicy pork meatballs, also known as Kotlety, are packed with flavor and are perfectly tender on the inside with a crispy, golden brown exterior. The addition of moist bread crumbs and sautéed onions gives them a unique texture that makes every bite a delight. They’re simple to make, requiring only basic ingredients that come together for a mouthwatering dish. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or meal prepping for the week, these meatballs are sure to satisfy!

Tips, Variations, and Substitutions

Tip: For extra juicy meatballs, you can increase the amount of mayo or add a bit of grated cheese to the mixture.
Variation: Try using ground chicken or turkey instead of pork for a leaner version of this recipe.
Substitution: If you don’t have Italian bread crumbs, regular breadcrumbs or panko can be used.
For extra flavor: Add minced garlic or fresh herbs like parsley to the meatball mixture.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought bread crumbs? Yes! If you don’t want to dry and crumble your own bread, store-bought Italian breadcrumbs can be used.

Can I freeze these meatballs? Absolutely! Once cooked, you can freeze the meatballs for up to 3 months. Just let them cool completely and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Reheat them in the oven or a skillet when ready to serve.

Are these meatballs spicy? No, this recipe doesn’t include any spicy ingredients. However, you can add some crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper if you like a little heat.

Serving

These juicy pork meatballs are versatile and can be served in various ways. Enjoy them with mashed potatoes, rice, or a fresh salad. They’re also great as an appetizer with a dipping sauce like marinara or a tangy mustard dip. For a heartier meal, serve them over spaghetti or in a sandwich!

Suggestions

Pair these meatballs with a side of roasted vegetables, sautéed greens, or a warm loaf of bread to soak up the savory flavors. For a lighter meal, try serving them with a refreshing cucumber and tomato salad or roasted sweet potatoes.