Deep-Fried Beef Bitterballen with Mustard Sauce
Golden, crispy meatballs made with a beef-pork blend, served with a sharp mustard dipping sauce for authentic Dutch pub fare. This Dutch-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb ground beef
- 1/4 lb ground pork
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup onion
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp thyme
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp chives
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, milk, egg, salt, pepper, and thyme. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Step 2: Form mixture into 12 equal balls (about 1.5 inches in diameter) and refrigerate for 15 minutes to firm up.
- Step 3: Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (175°C). Carefully add meatballs and fry for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown.
- Step 4: While frying, whisk Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, and chopped chives for the sauce. Drain meatballs on paper towels and serve immediately with sauce.
