Kotlety are pan-fried meat patties that are authentic and will give you the classic European bunless burger (meat pattie)I'm sure you're craving. In just under an hour, you can serve up these perfectly cooked, golden brown, and utterly delicious Russian meat patties that are guaranteed to have the whole family asking for seconds.
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This recipe for Kotlety, a popular Eastern European dish, is a nod to my Ukrainian heritage and a guaranteed hit at the dinner table. These pan-fried meat patties are not only delicious but also a perfect opportunity to bring the family together over a hearty, home-cooked meal.
If you enjoy Kotlety, you may also like my beef cutlet recipe, a traditional dish that's always a hit. And for more Eastern European flavors, my turkey Chebureki and turkey Pelmení recipes are a must-try.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Family Favorite: These Kotlety are a family favorite. The combination of turkey and pork makes them a hearty and satisfying meal that the whole family will love.
- Classic Flavors: This recipe uses a blend of traditional spices and seasonings, giving the kotlety that classic, comforting flavor.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe is straightforward, making it a great option for a quick midweek meal.
- Comfort Food: There's nothing quite like a home-cooked meal, and these kotlety deliver comfort in every bite.
- Kid-Friendly: These kotlety are not only delicious but also kid-friendly. The flavorful, juicy patties will surely be a hit with the little ones.
Key Ingredients
All you need are some simple pantry staple ingredients to make this Kotlety recipe at home. Let's look at them in more detail:
- Ground Turkey and Ground Pork: The combination of these two types of meat gives our Kotlety a rich, hearty flavor that's guaranteed to please. You can also use these ingredients in our homemade ground pork and ground turkey.
- Bread Crumbs: This ingredient helps to bind the meat mixture together and adds a nice, subtle texture to the Kotlety.
- Mayonnaise: Adds a touch of creaminess to the Kotlety and helps to keep them moist and tender. Try using homemade mayonnaise.
- Onion and Garlic: These aromatics add a depth of flavor to the Kotlety, and when cooked, they provide a sweet and savory undertone.
How to Make Kotlety
Making this incredible Kotlety is easier than you think. Here's how to make them at home step by step:
In a large bowl, mix ground turkey, homemade ground pork, bread crumbs, mayonnaise, eggs, onions, garlic, and your choice of seasonings. Make sure all the ingredients are well combined.
Take about a tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a ball using your hands. Repeat this process until all the mixture has been used. This should yield approximately 40 meatballs.
Place Italian-style bread crumbs on a large plate. Roll each meatball in the bread crumbs until it is fully coated. Then, flatten the meatballs to form into patties and place them on a separate plate.
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the meat patties. Sauté the patties for 3-5 minutes on each side or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
Once the Kotlety are cooked, remove them from the pan and place them on a serving plate. Enjoy your delicious, flavor-packed Kotlety!
For a full list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.
Recipe Tips
- Choose the right meat: For the best Kotlety, use a combination of ground turkey and ground pork. The turkey adds a light, slightly gamey flavor, while the pork adds a rich, savory note.
- Let the flavors meld: After mixing all the ingredients, let the meat mixture sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This will allow the flavors to fully meld together, resulting in a more flavorful Kotlety.
- Use the right seasonings: Don't skimp on the seasonings. The VEGETA Gourmet Season, black pepper, Mrs. Dash, and salt all work together to enhance the flavor of the meat.
- Perfect the patty shape: When forming the meatballs, aim for about one inch in diameter. This size is perfect for a single serving and ensures even cooking.
- Master the sauté: Sauté the meat patties over medium/low heat. This allows the Kotlety to cook through without burning on the outside. It's a key step for achieving a golden brown, delicious Kotlety.
Substitutions and Variations
This delicious Kotlety recipe is absolutely perfect as is, but if you're looking to change things up, here are a few variation ideas you can try:
- Spicier: If you're a fan of heat, this variation is for you. Simply add a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the meat mixture. This will give your Kotlety a nice twist of heat without overpowering the savory flavors of the meat.
- Different Meat: If you prefer a different type of meat, you can easily substitute ground turkey and pork with ground chicken or beef. Just make sure to adjust the seasonings accordingly.
- Fresh Herbs: For a lighter, fresher flavor, try adding a tablespoon of finely chopped fresh herbs such as parsley or dill to the meat mixture. The herbs will add a refreshing note to the Kotlety.
Serving Suggestions
- For a hearty dinner, pair these Kotlety with a side of creamy mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables. The smooth, comforting potatoes and the crisp, flavorful vegetables compliment the rich, savory Kotlety perfectly.
- Want a light and fresh option? Serve these Kotlety with a green salad. The crisp, refreshing greens provide a nice contrast to the hearty meat patties.
- For a traditional Russian twist, serve these Kotlety with a dollop of Russian sour cream, also known as smetana. The tangy creaminess of the smetana balances the rich flavors of the meat.
- These kotlety also make a delicious sandwich. Place a Kotlety between two slices of bread, add your favorite condiments, and enjoy a tasty, hand-held meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! You can use only ground turkey or ground pork in this Kotlety recipe. However, using a combination of the two gives Kotlety a unique flavor and a perfect balance of lean and rich meat.
For a gluten-free version of this Kotlety recipe, simply substitute the plain breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs. You can easily find them in most grocery stores.
These Kotlety go well with a variety of side dishes. Some popular options include mashed potatoes, green salad, and roasted vegetables. You can also serve them with your favorite sauces or Russian sour cream (smetana).
Yes, you can bake these patties instead of frying them. Preheat your oven to 375°F, place the patties on a greased baking sheet, and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Absolutely! These patties are perfect for making ahead and freezing. Once cooked, let them cool completely, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze. Once frozen, you can transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. They'll keep well for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
How to Store Leftovers
- Store: Leftover Kotlety can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freeze: You can also freeze the uncooked meat mixture. Place the uncooked meat mixture in a freezer-safe bag, remove as much air as possible, and seal. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before forming into patties and cooking.
- Thaw: Thaw uncooked meat mixture in the refrigerator overnight before forming into patties and cooking.
- Heating Instructions: To reheat, place the kotlety in a skillet over medium heat. Cook, turning occasionally, until heated through. If you've frozen the uncooked meat mixture, form it into patties and follow the cooking instructions. Unfortunately, already cooked Kotlety does not freeze well as they tend to become mushy upon thaw.
Recipe Card
Authentic Kotlety Recipe (European Meat Patties)
Ingredients
For the Kotlety Recipe
- 1 ½ lbs. ground turkey
- 1 ½ lbs. ground pork
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 1 large egg
- 1 onion
- 5 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon Vegeta Gourmet Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon Mrs. Dash Seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- olive oil for sauteing
Instructions
How to Make Kotlety
- In a large bowl, mix together ground turkey, homemade ground pork, bread crumbs, mayonnaise, eggs, onions, garlic, and your choice of seasonings. Make sure all the ingredients are well combined.
- Take about a tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a ball using your hands. Repeat this process until all the mixture has been used. This should yield approximately 40 meatballs.
- Place Italian style bread crumbs on a large plate. Roll each meatball in the bread crumbs until it is fully coated. Then, flatten the meatballs to form into patties and place them on a separate plate.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the meat patties. Sauté the patties for 3-5 minutes on each side or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Once the kotlety are cooked, remove them from the pan and place them on a serving plate. Enjoy your delicious, flavor-packed kotlety!
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This recipe was originally posted on Aug 23, 2014 (original picture below), and updated for a better user experience. The post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.
LV says
Hi Valya, if you host guests what kind of salads do you serve with kotleti and do you usually serve with potatoes or noodles? Thanks
Valya's Taste of Home says
I usually serve them with mashed potatoes. My favorites are: Radish Salad or Sweet Pepper Tomato Cucumber Salad. I have so many salad recipes on my website, check them all out in the salad category. Thank you for asking!
Lena says
Hey Valya!
I just wanted to let you know this is my go to recipe for meatballs. Even my Dad commented, they are good, he said! I grind my own chicken and pork. This recipe never disappoints!
Thank you!
Valya's Taste of Home says
That is my go-to recipe as well. Love how soft and juicy they are. Thank you for an amazing review!
Lena says
Hi Valya! Thank you for sharing your story. You mentioned that sometimes you also use white bread. Do you soak it in milk? And then you discard the milk when you're done, and just add the soaked bread to the meat.
Please let me know. I want to give this recipe a try. Thanks
Valya's Taste of Home says
I soak the bread in water, then discard the water. Make sure to squeeze the water out of the bread before adding it to the meat. I hope this helps.
Lena says
Hi Valya! I made this recipe today. Let me tell you that it turned out so so good and will go into my recipe collection!!! I used ground chicken and pork. Also, I did t have bread so I ended up using bread crumbs. This recipe is a keeper!!!
Valya's Taste of Home says
I am so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your feedback and an amazing five-star review! 🙂
jessica says
Thank you so much for the recipe! Turned out delicious!
www.valyastasteofhome.com says
You are very welcome! I'm glad you liked it 🙂
Kate says
Love this recipe! I have made these with a few different meats, my favorite is using ground chicken thighs. Juicy and delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
Slavic says
I knew I was missing something on the dinner plate. This is delicious and will share! Speaking of delicious, do you have a recipe for Vereniki? Also would love to know how to make the famous Ukrainian cabbage rolls. Thank you for your time.
valya'stasteofhome.com says
Thank you! I don't have Vareniki posted. I will put it on my to do list.