How to Make Meatballs – Oma's Fleischklöße

by: Gerhild Fulson  / Oma Gerhild shares easy, authentic German recipes you can trust, rooted in family tradition and featured in her cookbooks.

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Learn how to make German Meatballs just like my Mutti did! This recipe has been in our family for generations.

Ever wonder how to make meatballs, aka Fleischklöße or Klopse? Here's a versatile recipe that's very German. 

It's been in our family for generations, passed on from Mutti's Mutti to Mutti and to me. And, I'm passing it on to our grandchildren and to you.

Sometimes I get creative when I made these. Out will come the Montreal Steak Spice. Perhaps I'll add ½ cup of ketchup or BBQ sauce.

Cracker crumbs work well which is a great way to use up stale crackers. If there's time, I'll fry up the onions before adding to the meat mixture. 

Go to Königsberger Klopse recipe >

German meatballs shown above are braised and turn into this delicious dinner: Königsberger Klopse mit Sosse.

Another way I like to use them is to fry these Klopse and serve either with a brown sauce or even tomato sauce. I also bake them and then freeze them for later use.

How to make these German meatballs just like Oma! Served with either brown sauce or tomato sauce!

Above, I'm using this meatball recipe (I made a triple batch) to make lots of different meals, from those Königsberger Klopse, to little meatloaves, to meatballs that I'll use with various other sauces. 

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Oma Says:

If you've used my Quick Meatloaf recipe, you'll realize this is almost the same recipe, because it is. Once you do this one a few times, you'll soon recognize the "feel" of a good mixture.

And you'll be adding stuff - a bit of this and a bit of that - and making your own version.

Ready to make these German Meatballs?

Print Recipe

How to Make Meatballs – Oma's Fleischklöße

Ever wonder how to make meatballs, aka Fleischklöße or Klopse? Here's a versatile recipe that's very German. It's been in our family for generations, passed on from Mutti's Mutti to me.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20-30 minutes

Total Time 30-40 minutes

Servings:

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds lean beef
• 2 large eggs
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• ½ cup bread crumbs or 2 Kaiser rolls (see hints below)
• 1½ teaspoons salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, gently mix all ingredients.
2. Shape into meatballs.
3. To fry: Over medium heat, fry meatballs in a sauté pan in a bit of olive oil. Shake pan occasionally to loosen them. Turn each to brown on all sides. Continue frying until nicely browned on all sides. Cut into one to make sure that they are cooked through. Serve as is or place into a brown sauce or a tomato sauce.
4. To braise: Bring liquid (broth) to boil, lower heat, and add meatballs. Simmer until cooked, about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on size of meatballs. (Check recipe for Königsberger Klopse mit Sosse..)
5. To bake: Place on baking sheets and bake at 375°F. for about 20 to 30 minutes until done.
6. To freeze: Bake meatballs, cool, freeze individually on baking sheet and then put into freezer bags for later use.

Notes/Hints:

• Traditionally, stale buns were used instead of bread crumbs. Easiest is to use a Kaiser roll, and soak it in some warm milk or water for about 10 minutes. Drain it, squeeze out the liquid, and crumble the roll and add to the meat instead of the breadcrumbs.

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Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

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to your table

Complete your set today - order now!

More about me >

Hi, I'm Oma Gerhild! As a food writer and cookbook author, I'm always looking to find ways to pass on my German heritage using local ingredients. Quick and easy. That's my goal. Wunderbar food. That's the result.