Kotlety (Russian Pan-Fried Meat Patties)
Local name: Котлеты
In short: Juicy Russian patties of beef and pork with onion and milk-soaked bread, fried in a breadcrumb crust. Classic home cooking with mash. It takes about 55 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 20 min
- Total
- 55 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 550 kcal
Kotlety are the everyday meat patties of Russian home cooking, and nearly every family has its own mix. The classic blend is beef and pork with onion and a slice of white bread soaked in milk, which keeps the meat tender. The patties are shaped into ovals, coated in fine breadcrumbs and fried until crusty, then finished briefly with a lid on to cook through. Mashed potatoes, buckwheat or pasta are the usual partners.
Instructions
- Tear the bread into a small bowl, pour over the milk and leave for 5 minutes until soft. Squeeze lightly and mash with a fork.
- In a large bowl, combine the beef, pork, onion, soaked bread, egg, garlic, salt and pepper. Mix with your hands for 2 minutes until sticky, lifting the mixture and slapping it back into the bowl a few times to make it dense.
- Chill the mixture for 20 minutes, which makes it easier to shape.
- With wet hands, divide the mixture into 8 portions and shape each into an oval patty about 2 cm (3/4 inch) thick.
- Spread the breadcrumbs on a plate and coat both sides of each patty, pressing lightly.
- Heat half the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry 4 patties for 4 minutes per side until deep golden, then move them to a plate. Repeat with the remaining oil and patties.
- Return all the patties to the pan, add 3 tablespoons of water, cover and cook on low for 8 minutes, until they reach 71°C (160°F) in the center.
- Rest for 2 minutes and serve with mashed potatoes, buckwheat or pickles.
Tips
- For a chicken version, use 600 g (1.3 lb) ground chicken thigh and mix in a tablespoon of cold diced butter. Cook to 74°C (165°F).
- Wet hands stop the mixture sticking. If the patties crack while frying, the mix was too dry, so add a splash of milk next time.
Questions and answers
How are kotlety different from hamburger patties?
Kotlety contain soaked bread, onion and egg, which makes them softer and juicier than a plain beef patty. They are also coated in breadcrumbs and served with sides rather than in a bun.
Can I bake kotlety instead of frying?
Yes. Bake them on an oiled tray at 200°C (400°F) for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once, until they reach 71°C (160°F). They will be less crusty.
Can I freeze kotlety?
Yes. Freeze the shaped, coated raw patties on a tray, then bag them for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before frying.
How long does it take to make Kotlety (Russian Pan-Fried Meat Patties)?
About 55 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Kotlety (Russian Pan-Fried Meat Patties)?
About 550 kcal per serving, with 32 g of protein, 22 g of carbohydrates and 37 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 550 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 32 g |
| Carbohydrates | 22 g |
| Fat | 37 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 1050 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
