Matzo Ball Soup

This traditional Jewish dish is often served during Passover, but it's also a heaping bowl of comfort when you need it.

Matzo Ball Soup in individual bowls with spoons beside
Photo:

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Active Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
4 hrs
Servings:
6

In the world of matzo ball soup, most folks are in one of two camps: a preference for fluffy matzo balls or a preference for dense ones. This recipe will decidedly appeal to the former.

In more traditional matzo ball recipes, cooks would separate the eggs and beat the whites to achieve fluffy matzo balls that would adhere to the Passover food restrictions that prohibit eating leavened food. But for those who just want to enjoy this classic Jewish soup—which many swear has the same restorative properties as chicken noodle soup—baking powder* is an easier solution to lighten the matzo dumplings.

The addition of fresh herbs to both the matzo balls and the soup lends this soup a bright, fresh flavor. Make it a satisfying weeknight dinner by serving with a tuna melt.

*Be sure to look for kosher-for-Passover baking powder if you are making this soup for the holiday.

Ingredients

For Matzo Balls

  • 1 cup matzo meal

  • 1 tsp. garlic powder

  • 1 tsp. kosher salt

  • 1/2 tsp. baking powder

  • 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

  • 1/2 cup chicken broth

  • 3 large eggs

  • 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil or chicken schmaltz

  • 2 Tbsp. fresh dill, minced

  • 1 Tbsp. fresh chives, minced

For Soup

  • 1 1/2 tsp. vegetable oil

  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped (about 1 cup) 

  • 2 medium carrots, peeled, halved lengthwise, and sliced into half-moons

  • 2 stalks celery, sliced crosswise

  • 8 cups chicken broth or stock

  • 1 tsp. kosher salt

  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper

  • 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

Directions

  1. Prepare:

    First, gather your ingredients.

    Southern Living Matzo Ball Soup ingredients

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  2. Make matzo ball mixture:

    In a medium bowl, combine the matzo meal, garlic powder, salt, baking powder, and pepper. Stir with a fork to combine.

    Southern Living Matzo Ball Soup matzo ball dry ingredients

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Stir in the chicken broth until moistened.

    Southern Living Matzo Ball Soup matzo after chicken broth is added

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs and the vegetable oil or schmaltz.

    Southern Living Matzo Ball Soup egg mixture

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Add the egg mixture to the matzo meal mixture; stir until evenly combined.

    Southern Living Matzo Ball Soup adding egg mixture to matzo mixture

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Stir in the dill and chives.

    Southern Living Matzo Ball Soup adding the dill and chives to mazto mixture

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.

    Southern Living Matzo Ball Soup matzo mixture ready to refrigerate

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  3. Cook matzo balls:

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Using a small cookie scoop (about 1 tablespoon in size), scoop up the matzo meal mixture, making sure to pack it well into the scoop, and drop each portion into the simmering water. Cover, with the lid slightly offset to allow steam to escape, and adjust heat to maintain a steady simmer. Cook for 45 minutes or until matzo balls are fluffy and cooked through.

    Southern Living Matzo Ball Soup cooking the matzo balls

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  4. Make soup:

    While the matzo balls are cooking, make the soup. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery, and cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes or until softened.

    Southern Living Matzo ball soup vegetable mixture in dutch oven

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Add the broth, and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Simmer for 20 minutes, adjusting the temperature as needed to maintain a simmer. Stir in salt and pepper, adding more to taste if needed. Stir in the fresh parsley just before serving.

    Southern Living Matzo Ball Soup simmering the soup

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  5. Serve:

    To serve, remove the matzo balls from their cooking liquid with a slotted spoon. Place four matzo balls in each soup bowl and spoon about a cup of soup over the matzo balls.

    Matzo Ball Soup in individual bowls with spoons beside

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

257 Calories
7g Fat
38g Carbs
10g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 257
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 7g 9%
Saturated Fat 1g 6%
Cholesterol 100mg 33%
Sodium 1829mg 80%
Total Carbohydrate 38g 14%
Dietary Fiber 2g 9%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 10g
Vitamin C 3mg 17%
Calcium 75mg 6%
Iron 2mg 12%
Potassium 272mg 6%

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Related Articles