Koldūnai (Lithuanian Meat Dumplings)
In short: Small half-moon dumplings of thin egg dough filled with juicy beef and pork, boiled and served with melted butter, sour cream and dill. It takes about 1 h 25 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 1 h 10 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 1 h 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 740 kcal
Koldūnai are small, thin-skinned meat dumplings that Lithuanians serve for lunch, at family dinners and when guests arrive. The filling is minced beef and pork with onion, loosened with a little cold water so it stays juicy. They are boiled and served either in clear broth or tossed with melted butter and sour cream, with dill on top. Making them is slow, so many families fill a big batch and freeze half.
Instructions
- Mix the flour and salt in a bowl. Add the egg and warm water and knead for 8 to 10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and firm. Wrap and rest for 30 minutes.
- Mix the beef, pork, onion, garlic, salt, pepper and cold water for the filling until the mixture turns sticky and well combined.
- Roll the dough out very thin, about 1 mm (1/32 in), in 2 or 3 batches. Cut 6 cm (2 1/2 in) rounds with a cutter or glass.
- Put a teaspoon of filling in the center of each round, fold it in half and press the edges firmly to seal. Set the dumplings on a floured tray under a cloth.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the dumplings in batches for 6 to 8 minutes, until they float and the filling reaches 71°C (160°F).
- Lift them out with a slotted spoon, toss with the melted butter and serve with sour cream and dill.
Tips
- Add the cold water to the filling a spoonful at a time. The meat should absorb it and feel slightly loose, which makes juices inside the dumpling.
- Do not crowd the pot. Cook in batches at a steady boil so the edges do not split.
Questions and answers
Can I freeze koldūnai?
Yes. Freeze the uncooked dumplings on a floured tray, then bag them for up to 3 months. Boil straight from frozen and add 3 to 4 minutes.
Can I use ready-made dumpling wrappers?
Yes. Round wrappers save time. Use about a teaspoon of filling, seal with a little water and boil for 5 to 6 minutes.
What is the best way to serve koldūnai?
Both ways are traditional: in a bowl of hot clear broth with dill, or tossed in melted butter with sour cream. A little crisp fried bacon on top is also common.
How long does it take to make Koldūnai (Lithuanian Meat Dumplings)?
About 1 h 25 min in total: 1 h 10 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Koldūnai (Lithuanian Meat Dumplings)?
About 740 kcal per serving, with 34 g of protein, 68 g of carbohydrates and 36 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 740 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 34 g |
| Carbohydrates | 68 g |
| Fat | 36 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 900 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
