Sulu Kofte - Turkish Meatball Soup

Sulu Kofte is a rich and hearty Turkish Meatball Soup / Stew consisting of juicy meatballs and vegetables cooked in a tomatoey broth. 

This traditional Turkish meatball dish is full of Mediterranean flavors and extremely easy to make.

This Turkish Meatball Soup is a flavourful dish of juicy meatballs made with ground meat (lamb, beef, or a mixture), egg, bulgur, onions, herbs, and spices.

It is a very easy one-pot-dish that the whole family would enjoy, including the kids.

Growing up Sulu Köfte was one of my favorite dishes that my mom prepared.

Why This Recipe Works?

• This Sulu Kofte dish is such a crowd-pleaser and I promise that your kids will love them.  

• The meatballs keep their shape perfectly when boiled, you don't need to brown them before adding them to the soup!

• Meatball soup is hearty enough to stand alone as a complete meal, or you can serve it with a side of Tawa Naan with Garlic.

• You can prepare the meatballs a couple of days in advance and keep them refrigerated until you need them.

• The leftovers would keep refrigerated for up to five days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to three months.

• Sulu Köfte tastes even better when reheated, the same as many soups and stews!

Ingredients and Substitutes

• Minced meat - The main ingredient for kofte is mince and its fat content is as important as the quality of the meat. The ideal mince should have %30 fat for soft and delicious koftes. Using lean mince will make them dry and tough. If you want to use lean mince, you should add some fat or oil to the mixture. I generally use half lamb and half beef mince to get the right balance of fat.

• Bulgur wheat - Use fine or medium-grade bulgur wheat for this recipe. You can find it in the Middle Eastern / Turkish markets and online from Amazon. Alternatively, you can make Sulu Kofte with short-grain rice.

• Onion - It adds extra flavor and moisture to the meatballs. I prefer grating it into the mixture. You can substitute it with shallots.

• Egg - It helps to bind the meat, breadcrumbs, spices, and herbs. For up to one kilo of meat, you usually won't need more than one egg.

• Breadcrumbs - They absorb the juices from the meat as it cooks, trapping them within the meatball. Also, they give meatballs a nice soft texture.

• Red pepper paste - Turkish red pepper paste is a rich, delicious paste made with juicy, spicy red peppers and I use it quite often in my Turkish recipes. You can buy it from Turkish or Middle Eastern shops or online from Amazon. Substitute it with tomato paste if you don't have it in hand.

• Vegetables - I like using carrots and potatoes for this soup but you can use any vegetables you have in hand such as peas, courgettes, cauliflower, or sugar snaps.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This Sulu Kofte recipe is very easy to follow.

However, to achieve the best results, you need to follow a few simple steps:

Prepare the Meatballs

Place the mince, onion, bulgur wheat, breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, dried mint, salt, chili flakes, and freshly ground black pepper in a medium-sized mixing bowl. 

Mix everything together until it’s thoroughly combined, then continue kneading it for another two minutes.

Shape them into small meatballs, as they will expand when cooked.

Use water to wet your hands while shaping them to ensure they do not stick to your palms.

Place them on a large plate or tray, and sprinkle on some flour making sure they are all nicely covered.

Prepare the Soup

Melt the butter in a dutch oven or a heavy-based pan on medium heat and then add the pepper paste.

Cook the pepper paste for a few minutes before adding the potatoes and carrots.

Sauté the vegetables for a minute and then add the vegetable stock (or water) along with the meatballs.

Bring the soup to a boil, lower the heat, and gently simmer for 45 minutes or until the carrots are cooked.

Remove it from the heat and serve immediately with a slice of crusty bread!

Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.

Top Tips From the Chef

• The main ingredient for kofte is mince and its fat content is as important as the quality of the meat. The ideal mince should have %30 fat for soft and delicious koftes.

• Use water to wet your hands while shaping them to ensure they do not stick to your palms.

• Make the meatballs as small as possible. They will expand once cooked as they contain bulgur wheat. The small meatballs are easier to eat in the soup!

What to Serve with Sulu Kofte?

Sulu Kofte is a traditional Turkish dish that is typically served as a main course.

It is a flavorful meatball and bulgur wheat soup that is often accompanied by a few simple side dishes to balance out the meal.

Here are some traditional dishes that you can serve with Sulu Kofte:

• Cacik (Turkish Yogurt with Cucumbers): This is a refreshing yogurt and cucumber dip that is perfect for dipping bread into. It is made with yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, and fresh mint.

• Persian Shirazi Salad: A simple green salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions is a great complement to the rich flavors of Sulu Kofte.

• Ayran (Turkish Yogurt Drink): This is a traditional Turkish yogurt drink that is made with yogurt, water, and a pinch of salt. It is a great accompaniment to any Turkish meal, including Sulu Kofte.

• Bulgur Pilavi (Turkish Bulgur Rice Pilaf): Sulu Kofte already contains bulgur wheat, but you can serve it with an additional side of bulgur pilaf to make the meal more filling and complete.

• Turkish Pide Bread - Ramazan Pidesi: Or crusty bread is often served with Sulu Kofte to soak up the delicious broth and flavors of the dish.

Recipe FAQs

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Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.

I hope you enjoy the process of making this comforting and delicious Sulu Köfte - Turkish Meatball Soup as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂 

Bon appétit! / Afiyet olsun!

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