Best 6 Test Kitchens Favorite Matzo Ball Soup Recipes

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**Matzo ball soup, a classic dish of Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine, is a comforting and flavorful soup made with a savory broth, tender matzo balls, and a variety of vegetables. It is often served during Passover, but it can be enjoyed all year round. This article provides two delicious recipes for matzo ball soup: a classic version and a vegan version. Both recipes are easy to follow and result in a hearty and satisfying soup that is perfect for a cold winter day or a special occasion. The classic recipe features a rich chicken broth, while the vegan version uses a flavorful vegetable broth. Both soups are filled with fluffy matzo balls, carrots, celery, and onions. Additional ingredients, such as dill, parsley, and lemon juice, add brightness and freshness to the soup. Whether you are looking for a traditional or a plant-based version, these recipes have you covered.**

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

THE BEST MATZO BALL SOUP RECIPE



The Best Matzo Ball Soup Recipe image

We've tested every trick in the book to figure out exactly how to make the perfect matzo balls-whatever that means to you.

Provided by Daniel Gritzer

Categories     Lunch     Dinner     Entree     Side Dish     Snack     Appetizer     Appetizers and Hors d'Oeuvres     Soups and Stews

Time 1h45m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 10

4 large eggs, beaten
1/4 cup seltzer or water (see note)
1/4 cup Schmaltz (rendered chicken fat) or neutral oil like vegetable or canola oil (see note)
1 cup matzo meal
1/8 to 1 teaspoon baking powder (optional; see note)
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
Freshly ground black pepper
3 quarts good-quality homemade chicken stock , divided
Finely diced carrot and celery, for garnish
2 fresh dill sprigs, plus picked fresh dill fronds for garnish

Steps:

  • Meanwhile, divide stock evenly between two pots, season both with salt, and bring to a simmer. Add diced carrots and celery and dill sprigs to one pot and simmer until just tender; discard dill sprigs and keep warm.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 683 kcal, Carbohydrate 75 g, Cholesterol 208 mg, Fiber 2 g, Protein 30 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Sodium 1426 mg, Sugar 12 g, Fat 28 g, ServingSize Serves 4, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN MATZO BALL SOUP RECIPE - (3.8/5)



America's Test Kitchen Matzo Ball Soup Recipe - (3.8/5) image

Provided by DreiFromBK

Number Of Ingredients 17

Matzo Balls
1/4cup1/4 cup chicken fat (schmaltz) or vegetable oil
11 onion, chopped fine
4large4 large eggs
1teaspoon1 teaspoon minced fresh dill
Salt and pepper
1cup1 cup (4 ounces) matzo meal
Soup
1tablespoon1 tablespoon chicken fat (schmaltz) or vegetable oil
11 onion, chopped
22 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
22 celery ribs, chopped
11 parsnip, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
Salt and pepper
8cups8 cups chicken broth
1 1/2pounds1 1/2 pounds chicken leg quarters, trimmed
1teaspoon1 teaspoon minced fresh dill

Steps:

  • Serves 6 Chicken fat, or schmaltz, is available in the refrigerator or freezer section of most supermarkets. Note that the matzo batter needs to be refrigerated for at least 1 hour before shaping. Ingredients 1. FOR THE MATZO BALLS: Heat chicken fat in Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion and cook until light golden brown and softened, about 5 minutes. Transfer onion to large bowl and let cool for 10 minutes. (Do not clean pot.) 2. Whisk eggs, 5 tablespoons water, dill, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper into cooled onion mixture. Fold in matzo meal until well combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 2 hours. (Batter will thicken as it sits.) 3. Bring 4 quarts water and 2 tablespoons salt to boil in now-empty Dutch oven. Divide batter into 12 portions (about 1 heaping tablespoon each) and place on greased plate. Roll portions into smooth balls between your wet hands and return to plate. Transfer matzo balls to boiling water, cover, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tender and cooked through, about 30 minutes. 4. Using slotted spoon, transfer matzo balls to colander and drain briefly. Transfer balls to clean plate and let cool to firm up, about 10 minutes. Discard cooking water. (Do not clean pot.) 5. FOR THE SOUP: Meanwhile, heat chicken fat in large saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion, carrots, celery, parsnip, and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, covered, until vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add broth, chicken, and dill and bring to boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook until chicken is tender, 35 to 45 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer chicken to plate. (Chicken can be used for soup or reserved for another use. If adding to soup, shred with 2 forks into bite-size pieces; discard skin and bones.) Season soup with salt and pepper to taste. 6. Transfer soup to now-empty Dutch oven and bring to simmer over medium heat. Carefully transfer matzo balls to hot soup (along with shredded chicken, if using). Cover and cook until matzo balls are heated through, about 5 minutes. Serve. TO MAKE AHEAD: Soup and matzo balls can be fully cooked, cooled, and refrigerated separately in covered containers for up to 2 days. To serve, return soup to simmer over medium heat, add matzo balls, and cook until heated through, about 7 minutes.

MATZO BALL SOUP



Matzo Ball Soup image

This traditional matzo ball soup recipe is worth the extra effort. If you prefer, you can add egg noodles instead of matzo balls. -Julia Sherman, New Market, Tennessee

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 2h10m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 to 4 pounds)
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) chicken broth
1-3/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1 pound carrots, coarsely chopped
6 celery ribs, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup coarsely chopped sweet onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
MATZO BALLS:
2 eggs
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 package (5 ounces) matzo ball mix
1/4 cup finely chopped onion

Steps:

  • Place chicken in a large soup kettle; add the broth, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and enough water to cover the chicken. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 55-65 minutes or until meat is tender, skimming the surface as foam rises., Remove chicken and set aside until cool enough to handle. Strain broth and skim fat. Return broth to the kettle; add the carrots, celery, onion, garlic, pepper and remaining salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 15 minutes or until carrots are tender., Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk eggs and oil. Add matzo ball mix and onion; toss with a fork until combined. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes., Remove and discard skin and bones from chicken; chop chicken and add to soup. Stir in parsley. Bring to a boil. Drop 12 rounded teaspoonfuls of matzo ball dough into boiling soup. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into a matzo ball comes out clean (do not lift cover while simmering)., With a slotted spoon, carefully remove matzo balls and place one in each soup bowl. Ladle soup over top.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 160 calories, Fat 6g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 73mg cholesterol, Sodium 509mg sodium, Carbohydrate 11g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 15g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

TEST KITCHEN'S FAVORITE MATZO BALL SOUP



Test Kitchen's Favorite Matzo Ball Soup image

There are no shortcuts in this classic Passover recipe: The soup, perfect for lunch or dinner, calls for homemade broth, chicken feet, and hours of simmering. But the finished soup, starring one big, fluffy dumpling, is a straight shot to the soul.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Soup Recipes

Time 1h20m

Number Of Ingredients 10

4 large eggs
1 cup matzo meal
1/4 cup seltzer
1/4 cup schmaltz (reserved from broth), melted
2 teaspoons finely grated fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon celery seed, optional
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh dill or flat-leaf parsley (or a combination), plus more for serving
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Enriched Chicken Broth
3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch rounds

Steps:

  • Beat eggs in a large bowl. Stir in matzo meal, seltzer, schmaltz, ginger, celery seed, herbs, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Stir until combined (mixture will be loose).
  • Cover and refrigerate until mixture stiffens slightly, at least 30 minutes and up to 1 day. Place 2 cups broth in a wide pot. Add water to fill pot to 2 1/2 inches. Bring to a boil; season with 1 tablespoon salt. With dampened hands (to prevent sticking), divide chilled matzo mixture into 6 equal portions. Form each into a sphere.
  • Gently place balls in pot, one at a time. Cover and reduce heat to low to maintain a simmer (do not let boil). Cook, turning them a few times, until puffed and cooked through to center, 1 hour to 1 hour, 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, bring remaining 10 cups broth and carrots to a boil in a separate pot. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until carrots are tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Season with salt. Transfer matzo balls to serving bowls. Divide broth and carrots evenly among them; top with more herbs. Serve immediately.

MATZO BALL SOUP



Matzo Ball Soup image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 4h20m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

1 3-to-4-pound chicken
3 stalks celery, halved
2 medium carrots, halved
1 onion, halved
5 plum tomatoes, quartered
3 sprigs parsley
3 sprigs dill
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
2 whole cloves
Kosher salt
4 large eggs
3 tablespoons grated shallot or onion, squeezed dry
1 small clove garlic, finely grated
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill, plus small sprigs for topping
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1 cup matzo meal
Kosher salt

Steps:

  • Make the broth: Put the chicken, celery, carrots, onion, tomatoes, parsley, dill, coriander seeds, peppercorns, cloves and 2 teaspoons salt in a large pot. Add enough cold water to cover by 1 inch. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat; reduce the heat to maintain a low simmer and cook, skimming off the foam occasionally, 3 hours. Strain, discarding the solids. Let cool until the fat rises to the surface. (The broth can be made up to 3 days ahead; cover and refrigerate.) Skim off the fat, reserving 2 tablespoons fat for the matzo balls.
  • Make the matzo balls: Whisk the eggs and reserved chicken-broth fat in a bowl. Stir in the shallot, garlic, lemon zest, ginger, dill, parsley, matzo meal, 1/4 cup of the prepared broth and 1 3/4 teaspoons salt. Cover and chill at least 2 hours or overnight. Roll heaping teaspoonfuls of dough into balls with damp hands. Cover and chill until ready to cook, up to 8 hours.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the matzo balls and reduce the heat to maintain a low simmer; cover and cook until the balls are tender, 35 minutes. Meanwhile, warm the prepared broth. Drain the matzo balls and serve in the warm broth. Top with dill.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 130 calorie, Fat 3 grams, SaturatedFat 1 grams, Cholesterol 124 milligrams, Sodium 242 milligrams, Carbohydrate 20 grams, Fiber 1 grams, Protein 6 grams, Sugar 1 grams

JOAN NATHAN'S MATZO BALL SOUP



Joan Nathan's Matzo Ball Soup image

For children (and arguably most adults), the most welcome Passover dish is chicken soup with matzo balls. My matzo balls, neither heavy as lead nor light as a feather, are al dente, infused with fresh ginger and nutmeg. I like to freeze them, and the soup, in advance.

Provided by Joan Nathan

Categories     appetizer

Time 4h15m

Yield About 15 matzo balls

Number Of Ingredients 9

4 large eggs
1/4 cup schmaltz (rendered chicken fat), coconut oil or vegetable oil (kosher for Passover)
1/4 cup chicken stock or vegetable stock
1 cup matzo meal
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 to 2 tablespoons freshly grated ginger
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley, dill or cilantro
1 teaspoon salt, more for cooking
Black pepper

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the eggs, schmaltz, stock, matzo meal, nutmeg, ginger and parsley. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Gently mix with a whisk or spoon. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 3 hours or overnight.
  • To shape and cook the matzo balls, fill a wide, deep pan with lightly salted water and bring to a boil. With wet hands, take some of the mix and mold it into the size and shape of a Ping-Pong ball. Gently drop it into the boiling water, repeating until all the mix is used.
  • Cover the pan, reduce heat to a lively simmer and cook matzo balls about 30 to 40 minutes for al dente, longer for light. If desired, the cooked matzo balls can be transferred to chicken or vegetable soup and served immediately. Alternatively, they may be placed on a baking sheet and frozen, then transferred to a freezer bag and kept frozen until a few hours before serving; reheat in chicken or vegetable soup or broth.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 67, UnsaturatedFat 1 gram, Carbohydrate 4 grams, Fat 5 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 2 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 60 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams, TransFat 0 grams

Tips:

  • Use high-quality matzo meal. Fresh matzo meal will produce lighter and fluffier matzo balls.
  • Do not overmix the matzo meal and eggs. Overmixing will make the matzo balls tough.
  • Let the matzo balls rest before cooking. This will help them to hold their shape.
  • Cook the matzo balls in a gently simmering broth. Boiling water will make the matzo balls tough.
  • Do not overcrowd the pot when cooking the matzo balls. This will prevent them from sticking together.
  • Serve the matzo ball soup immediately. Matzo balls are best when they are fresh.

Conclusion:

Matzo ball soup is a classic Jewish dish that is enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a comforting and flavorful soup that is perfect for a cold winter day. By following the tips above, you can make delicious matzo ball soup that your family and friends will love.

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