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–+ servings

Easy Pelmeni Recipe

This easy pelmeni recipe highlights a comforting Siberian dumpling filled with savory meat, similar to ravioli or tortellini.
Perfectly boiled and served with melted butter, sour cream, or dill, these dumplings are an easy and flavorful meal option.
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Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Eastern European
Servings 4

Equipment

  • Rolling Pin
  • 2½-inch round cookie cutter
  • Skimmer or strainer
  • Optional: Pelmeni mold or piping bag

Ingredients
  

For the Dough:

  • 1 batch Pierogi Dough store-bought or homemade

For the Filling:

  • 1 tablespoon extra-light olive oil
  • ½ medium yellow onion finely diced (about ½ cup)
  • 1 large garlic clove minced
  • 1 pound ground meat equal parts pork, chicken, or beef recommended
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt plus extra for boiling
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon water

For Assembling:

  • All-purpose flour for dusting

For Serving:

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • Chopped fresh dill optional
  • Sour cream optional
  • White distilled vinegar optional
  • Ketchup optional

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Dough: Make or use pre-prepared pierogi dough, cover, and let it rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.
  • Cook the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the diced onion for 5 minutes until softened and golden, then stir in minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Prepare the Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked onion mixture with ground meat, salt, pepper, and water. Mash until just combined—avoid overmixing to keep the meat tender.
  • Roll and Cut Dough: Halve the dough, wrapping one piece in plastic wrap. Roll the other half on a floured surface until it’s less than ⅛ inch thick. Use a 2½-inch cookie cutter to cut out as many circles as possible, reusing scraps as needed. Repeat with the remaining dough.
  • Fill and Shape Dumplings: Place 1 teaspoon of meat filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over, pinching the edges tightly, and shape into a crescent or ear shape. Arrange pelmeni on parchment-lined baking sheets.
  • Cook the Pelmeni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add half of the pelmeni and stir to prevent sticking. Boil until they float, about 6 minutes. Reduce heat and simmer another 3 minutes until the meat is cooked. Use a skimmer to transfer pelmeni to a serving bowl.
  • Serve: Drizzle melted butter over the cooked pelmeni and garnish with dill, if desired. Serve with sour cream, vinegar, or ketchup for dipping.

Notes

Meat Options: Use a mix of pork, chicken, and beef for best flavor. Avoid using ground beef alone as it can be dry.
Make Ahead: Freeze uncooked pelmeni on baking sheets, then transfer to a freezer bag. Boil from frozen as directed.
Stuffing Methods: Use a piping bag for quicker filling or a traditional pelmeni mold.
Keyword beginner-friendly pelmeni, Comfort food recipes, Easy dumpling recipe, easy recipes, homemade dumplings, quick pelmeni recipe
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