Pork Meatball Soup Ciorba De Perisoare

Warm, hearty, and bursting with Eastern European flavor, Pork Meatball Soup (Ciorbă de Perișoare) is a traditional Romanian dish that combines tender pork meatballs with a tangy, herbaceous broth. This comforting soup features savory pork meatballs made with ground pork, rice, and a hint of seasoning, delicately cooked in a vibrant base of tomatoes, carrots, celery, and bell peppers. A splash of lemon juice or vinegar adds a signature tanginess, while fresh parsley and dill provide a fragrant finish. Perfect for chilly days or when you're craving something nourishing, this soup is easy to prepare and pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a dollop of sour cream. Ideal as a crowd-pleasing main course or satisfying starter!

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 500 grams Ground pork
• 1 large Egg
• 50 grams Uncooked white rice
• 2 medium Yellow onion
• 2 medium Carrots
• 1 medium Celery stalk
• 1 medium Parsley root (optional)
• 1 medium Bell pepper
• 400 grams Tomatoes (diced or canned)
• 15 ml Vegetable oil
• 30 grams Tomato paste
• 2 liters Water or chicken broth
• 30 ml Lemon juice or vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 15 grams Fresh parsley (chopped)
• 15 grams Fresh dill (chopped)

Directions

Step 1

In a mixing bowl, combine ground pork, uncooked rice, 1 finely chopped onion, egg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix until well combined.

Step 2

Shape the pork mixture into small meatballs, about 2-3 cm in diameter. Set aside on a plate.

Step 3

In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Sauté the remaining chopped onion, carrots (diced or grated), celery (diced), parsley root (optional, diced), and bell pepper (diced) for 5-7 minutes until softened.

Step 4

Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and water or chicken broth to the pot. Stir well and bring to a gentle boil.

Step 5

Once the broth is boiling, carefully drop the prepared pork meatballs into the soup. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

Add the lemon juice or vinegar to the soup for sourness, and season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

Step 7

Cook for an additional 5 minutes. Adjust the seasoning if needed.

Step 8

Remove the pot from heat and stir in freshly chopped parsley and dill.

Step 9

Serve hot with a side of crusty bread or sour cream, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3279.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2127.7

Total Fat 127.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 42.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 10.7g
Cholesterol 669.5mg	0%
Sodium 2957.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 97.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.8g	0%
Total Sugars 26.1g
Protein 147.1g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 401.8mg	0%
Iron 10.5mg	0%
Potassium 2100.8mg	0%

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

Source of Calories

Fat: 53.9%

Protein: 27.7%

Carbs: 18.4%