Dutch Vegetable Soup with Meatballs
Submitted by ruby
Hearty Dutch vegetable soup with tender curry-spiced meatballs made from bread-soaked ground beef or veal. Simmered in beef bouillon with carrots, celery, onion, and thyme. A one-pot meal.
YIELD
6 servingsPREP
15 minCOOK
50 minREADY
70 minThe Dutch know a thing or two about a bowl of soup that doubles as a full meal, and this one is a prime example.
Tender meatballs made from ground beef (or veal) mixed with milk-soaked bread, egg, and a surprising hit of curry powder get simmered in a rich beef bouillon alongside sauteed onion, carrots, and celery.
The curry in the meatballs is the secret ingredient here. It adds a warm, earthy depth that makes this soup taste more complex than its simple ingredient list suggests.
Ready in just over an hour, it’s the kind of soul-warming bowl you want on a cold, grey evening.
Kitchen Tips
- Soak stale bread in milk until soft and mash it well before mixing with the meat. This is the secret to meatballs that stay tender and moist instead of dense.
- Shape the meatballs evenly at about 1.5 inches so they cook at the same rate. Wet your hands to keep the mixture from sticking.
- Don’t skip the curry powder. It sounds unusual in a Dutch recipe, but the Netherlands’ colonial history brought Indonesian spices into everyday cooking, and it works beautifully here.
Ingredients
Directions
Soak bread in milk in a large bowl until soft; mash.
Add veal or beef, egg, curry powder, salt, and pepper; mix well.
Shape into 1½ inch balls.
Sauté onion, carrot, and celery in heated butter and oil in a large kettle 5 minutes.
Add bouillon and thyme or marjoram.
Bring to a boil.
Lower heat and cook slowly, covered, 20 minutes.
Add meatballs and cook about 25 minutes, until vegetables and meatballs are tender.
Comments
This soup looks incredibly comforting, especially with the curry-spiced meatballs adding extra flavor. I like how it turns simple ingredients into a hearty meal that's perfect for colder days. A warm drink would pair nicely with it too. If anyone enjoys trying different coffeehouse beverages, I recently found a helpful third-party guide about the chai latte dutch bros options. It gives a clear overview of the available choices, so it's worth checking out if you're looking for something cozy to enjoy alongside a meal like this.