Bulgarian Meatball Soup
Traditional Bulgarian supa topcheta with rice-studded meatballs simmered in a vegetable broth, finished with a tangy egg-lemon sauce. Hearty, warming, and full of paprika flavor.
YIELD
3 servingsPREP
20 minCOOK
90 minREADY
110 minThis is Bulgaria’s beloved meatball soup, known as supa topcheta, and it’s one of Eastern Europe’s most comforting bowls.
Small beef meatballs loaded with rice, paprika, and dried savory simmer in a broth packed with carrots, tomatoes, green peppers, and a split hot chile for gentle heat.
The real magic happens at the very end: a classic egg-lemon finish (similar to Greek avgolemono) gets tempered into the hot broth, thickening it into something silky and bright.
That final squeeze of lemon lifts the whole pot from hearty to extraordinary.
Pro Tips
- Temper the egg-lemon mixture slowly. Spoon hot broth in one tablespoon at a time while whisking constantly, or you’ll end up with scrambled egg floating in your soup.
- Roll the meatballs small, about one inch. They cook more evenly and fit on a spoon.
- Don’t boil the soup after adding the egg mixture. Gentle heat keeps it smooth and velvety.
- Dried savory is a signature Bulgarian herb. Don’t substitute thyme here if you can help it; the flavor is distinctly different.
Ingredients
Directions
Combine beef, rice, paprika and savory.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Mix lightly but thoroughly.
Form into 1-inch balls, then roll in flour.
Combine water, bouillon cubes, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, green onions, green pepper, carrots and tomatoes in large kettle.
Cover, bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes.
Add meatballs, cover and bring to boil again.
Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.
Add chiles and simmer, covered, 40 minutes or until rice is cooked.
Add parsley during last 5 minutes of cooking time.
Taste and add more salt and pepper, if needed.
Just before serving, beat egg with lemon juice.
Stir 1 to 2 tablespoons hot soup into egg mixture, then stir egg mixture into soup.
Heat and stir until soup is thickened slightly, but do not allow to boil.
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