Matzo Balls
These fluffy, golden matzo balls sink softly into a steaming bowl of rich chicken soup for the ultimate comfort food.
Ingredients
- •4 large eggs
- •4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter or rendered schmaltz
- •1 cup matzo meal (120g)
- •4 tablespoons sparkling water or club soda
- •1 teaspoon kosher salt
- •0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- •2 quarts chicken broth or water for boiling
Instructions
- 1
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted butter or schmaltz, sparkling water, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- 2
Add the matzo meal to the wet mixture and stir with a fork until a uniform paste forms without any dry lumps.
- 3
Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes, allowing the matzo meal to absorb the liquids.
- 4
Bring a large, wide pot of salted water or chicken broth to a gentle, rolling simmer over medium heat.
- 5
Wet your hands slightly with cold water to prevent sticking, then scoop out rounded tablespoons of the chilled batter and gently roll them between your palms into 1-inch balls.
- 6
Drop the formed matzo balls carefully into the simmering liquid one by one.
- 7
Cover the pot tightly with a lid to trap the steam, reduce the heat to low, and let them simmer undisturbed for 30 minutes so they expand and cook through.
- 8
Remove the pot from the heat and use a slotted spoon to transfer the fluffy matzo balls directly into bowls of hot soup before serving.
💡 Chef tips
- Using sparkling water instead of plain water introduces tiny air bubbles that make the matzo balls significantly lighter and fluffier.
- Do not remove the pot lid while the matzo balls are simmering, as escaping steam will cause them to deflate and become dense.
- You can boil the matzo balls in advance in plain salted water, store them in their cooking water in the fridge, and reheat them directly in hot soup before serving.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished matzo balls should be wonderfully light, tender, and pillowy in texture with a savory, comforting flavor that melts in your mouth.