Crispy Sauerkraut Balls with Polish Sausage & Corned Beef
Perfectly crispy on the outside and bursting with savory flavors on the inside, these Sauerkraut Balls are a delightful twist on traditional German fare. Each bite combines the richness of corned beef and the zestiness of Polish sausage, balanced by the tangy taste of sauerkraut and a hint of garlic. Ideal for gatherings and celebrations, these bite-sized treats are sure to be a hit at any party, especially during Oktoberfest. Serve them hot as a delicious appetizer or snack, and watch as they disappear in no time!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
Butter
5 tablespoons (divided)
Olive oil
2 tablespoons (for frying)
Onion
1 (finely chopped)
Polish sausage
3/4 lb (casing removed)
Corned beef
3/4 lb (cooked and chopped fine (about 1 cup))
Garlic cloves
4 (chopped fine)
Flour
6 tablespoons (for thickening)
Sauerkraut
2 cups (drained and chopped fine)
Fresh parsley
1 tablespoon (chopped)
Beef broth
1/2 cup (for mixing)
Egg
1 (beaten)
Milk
2 cups (for batter)
Flour
2 1/2 cups (for batter)
Breadcrumbs
4 cups (for coating)
Garlic salt
1 tablespoon (for seasoning)
Dried parsley
1 tablespoon (for seasoning)
Canola oil
1 cup (for frying)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter along with 2 tablespoons of olive oil over low heat. Remove the casing from the Polish sausage and add it to the skillet, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Increase the heat and cook thoroughly until browned. Once cooked, remove from the skillet and let drain on paper towels.
2
Using the same skillet, melt another 3 tablespoons of butter over low heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until softened. Stir in the cooked Polish sausage, diced corned beef, and chopped garlic; continue to cook for about 1 minute, stirring often.
3
Sprinkle in 6 tablespoons of flour and stir constantly for 3 minutes to create a thick paste. Then, add the chopped sauerkraut, fresh parsley, and beef broth. Cook the mixture until it becomes thick and paste-like, which should take about 3 minutes. Once thickened, spread the mixture onto a cookie sheet or platter and place it in the refrigerator for approximately 3 hours to chill and set.
4
In a separate frying pan, pour in canola oil to a depth of about 1 inch and heat it to 375°F if using a deep fryer.
5
In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, and 2 1/2 cups of flour until smooth. In another bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, garlic salt, and dried parsley.
6
Once the sauerkraut mixture is chilled, scoop and roll it into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Dip each ball in the egg mixture, then roll it in the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated.
7
Fry the balls in batches for 2-3 minutes, or until they are golden brown on all sides. Once fried, drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil. Serve these delicious treats warm for an unforgettable party snack!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is for Crispy Sauerkraut Balls with Polish Sausage & Corned Beef.
What meats are used in this dish?
This dish uses 3/4 lb of Polish sausage and 3/4 lb of cooked, finely chopped corned beef.
How should the sauerkraut be prepared?
The sauerkraut should be drained and chopped fine before being added to the mixture.
What kind of sausage is recommended?
The recipe specifically calls for Polish sausage with the casing removed.
Should I remove the casing from the sausage?
Yes, you should remove the casing and break the sausage into small pieces while cooking.
How long does the sauerkraut mixture need to chill?
The mixture needs to be refrigerated for approximately 3 hours to chill and set before rolling.
What is the ideal frying temperature for the oil?
The canola oil should be heated to 375°F for deep frying.
What size should I roll the sauerkraut balls?
The balls should be rolled to approximately 1 inch in diameter.
What is in the breading mixture?
The coating consists of breadcrumbs, garlic salt, and dried parsley.
How long do the sauerkraut balls need to fry?
Fry the balls in batches for 2 to 3 minutes until they are golden brown.
What type of oil is used for frying?
The recipe recommends using canola oil for deep frying and olive oil for the initial sautéing.
How much sauerkraut is required?
You will need 2 cups of drained and finely chopped sauerkraut.
How do I thicken the internal filling?
Use 6 tablespoons of flour mixed with butter to create a paste, then add beef broth and cook until thick.
What seasonings are added to the breadcrumbs?
The breadcrumbs are seasoned with 1 tablespoon of garlic salt and 1 tablespoon of dried parsley.
Is there onion in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe requires one finely chopped onion sautéed in butter.
How many eggs are needed for the batter?
One beaten egg is used in the batter mixture.
What kind of broth is added to the mixture?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of beef broth.
Does the recipe use fresh parsley?
Yes, it uses 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley in the filling.
How much total butter is needed?
A total of 5 tablespoons of butter is used, divided between different steps.
What should I do after the balls are finished frying?
Drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil and serve them warm.
How much corned beef is used?
The recipe calls for 3/4 lb of cooked corned beef, which is about 1 cup when chopped fine.
Is garlic used in the recipe?
Yes, the recipe uses 4 finely chopped garlic cloves and additional garlic salt in the coating.
What is the first step in preparing the filling?
The first step is melting butter and olive oil to brown the casing-free Polish sausage.
How much flour is used for the batter?
The batter requires 2 1/2 cups of flour.
How much milk is needed for the batter?
The recipe requires 2 cups of milk for the batter.
What should the filling texture be before chilling?
The mixture should be thick and paste-like before being spread on a sheet to chill.
Is this recipe suitable for Oktoberfest?
Yes, these are described as a perfect bite-sized treat for Oktoberfest celebrations.
How many garlic cloves should be chopped?
You should chop 4 garlic cloves fine for the filling.
Is olive oil used in this recipe?
Yes, 2 tablespoons of olive oil are used to help fry the sausage initially.
What color should the balls be when they are done?
They should be fried until they are golden brown on all sides.