Traditional Ciorbă de Perișoare (Meatball Soup) You’ll Love – Authentic Romanian Recipe
Discover the comforting taste of Ciorbă de Perișoare, Romania’s beloved sour meatball soup. This traditional recipe includes step-by-step instructions, ingredients, tips, and variations for a perfect bowl every time.
Introduction: What Is Ciorbă de Perișoare?
Ciorbă de Perișoare is a delicious and comforting Romanian sour soup made with tender meatballs (perișoare), fresh vegetables, and a tangy broth. Loved across the country for its balanced flavors and hearty ingredients, this traditional dish is a staple in Romanian homes, especially on weekends and holidays.
The sourness of the soup typically comes from vinegar or fermented wheat bran juice (borș), giving it that unique Eastern European character. If you’re looking for an authentic Romanian recipe that’s both nourishing and full of flavor, this meatball soup is it.
Why This Recipe Works
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✅ Hearty yet refreshing – Light enough for lunch but satisfying enough for dinner.
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✅ Nutritious and wholesome – Packed with protein, vegetables, and natural sourness.
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✅ Perfect for families – Kid-friendly and crowd-pleasing.
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✅ True to tradition – Based on generations of Romanian home cooking.
A Bit of History
Ciorbă de Perișoare has been a cornerstone of Romanian cuisine for centuries. The term “ciorbă” refers to sour soups often enriched with borș (fermented wheat bran), while “perișoare” translates to small meatballs made traditionally from pork or mixed meats. Though similar soups can be found in neighboring Balkan countries, Romania’s version is distinguished by its use of herbs, rice-filled meatballs, and creamy-sour broth.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the broth:
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2 tablespoons sunflower oil or other neutral oil
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1 large onion, finely chopped
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2 medium carrots, diced or grated
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1 small celeriac or 2 celery stalks, chopped
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1 parsley root (optional)
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1 parsnip, chopped
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1 red bell pepper, chopped
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2 medium tomatoes, peeled and chopped OR 2 tbsp tomato paste
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2.5 liters (10 cups water or broth)
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1–2 teaspoons salt, to taste
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½ teaspoon black pepper
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200–300 ml borș or 2–3 tablespoons white vinegar, to sour
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1–2 tablespoons chopped lovage (or parsley as substitute)
For the meatballs (perișoare):
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500g (1.1 lbs) ground pork (or pork/beef mix)
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1 small onion, finely grated
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1 egg
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50g (¼ cup) rice, rinsed
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1 tablespoon semolina (optional, for extra fluffiness)
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Salt and pepper to taste
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1 tablespoon chopped parsley or dill
Optional for serving:
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Sour cream
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Extra chopped herbs
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Hot chili or pickled peppers
Step-by-Step: How to Make Ciorbă de Perișoare
Step 1: Prepare the Broth Base
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Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat.
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Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent.
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Stir in carrots, celeriac, parsnip, parsley root, and bell pepper. Cook for 5–7 minutes.
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Add the chopped tomatoes or tomato paste and stir.
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Pour in 2.5 liters of water and bring to a boil.
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Reduce to a simmer and add salt and pepper. Let cook for 20–25 minutes while you prepare the meatballs.
Step 2: Make the Perișoare (Meatballs)
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In a mixing bowl, combine ground meat, rice, grated onion, egg, parsley, salt, pepper, and semolina (if using).
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Mix well with clean hands until everything is fully incorporated.
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With wet hands, form small meatballs about the size of a walnut (1 inch in diameter). Set aside.
Step 3: Cook the Meatballs
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Once the broth is simmering gently, drop the meatballs in one by one.
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Do not stir immediately—let them firm up for a few minutes.
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Once they rise to the top, simmer the soup for another 30–35 minutes on low heat.
Step 4: Sour the Soup
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In a small saucepan, bring the borș or vinegar to a boil (boiling borș neutralizes bitterness).
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Add it to the soup gradually, tasting as you go until you reach your preferred level of sourness.
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Add fresh lovage or parsley and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper as needed.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!
Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot, optionally with:
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A dollop of sour cream
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Extra chopped lovage or dill
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A slice of crusty bread or cornmeal (mămăligă)
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Pickled chili peppers for a spicy touch
Expert Tips for Perfect Ciorbă de Perișoare
✔ Use Fresh Herbs
Lovage is traditional in Romanian soups and gives an unmistakable aroma. If you can't find it, substitute with flat-leaf parsley or celery leaves.
✔ Don’t Overwork the Meat
Mix the meatball ingredients until just combined—overmixing makes the meatballs dense.
✔ Pre-Boil the Borș
If using authentic borș, boil it separately before adding to avoid bitterness.
✔ Make Ahead Friendly
The soup tastes even better the next day, so feel free to prepare it in advance.
Popular Variations
🍲 With Egg and Sour Cream (Dres Ciorbă)
Beat an egg with sour cream and temper with hot broth, then stir into the soup off the heat for extra creaminess.
🐄 Use Beef or Turkey
Try ground beef or ground turkey for leaner versions, but adjust seasoning accordingly.
🍚 Gluten-Free Option
Replace semolina with gluten-free breadcrumbs or omit it altogether.
Storage and Reheating
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Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
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Freezer: Freeze without sour cream for up to 2 months.
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Reheat: Gently heat on the stovetop. Add water if it thickens too much.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving – Approximate)
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Calories: 280 kcal
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Protein: 20g
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Fat: 14g
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Carbohydrates: 18g
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Fiber: 3g
Note: Values vary based on meat type and souring agent used.
Why Romanians Love This Dish
Ask any Romanian and they'll tell you: Ciorbă de Perișoare tastes like home. It’s the dish your grandmother served with a smile and the one you crave after a long day. It’s packed with real ingredients, balanced in flavor, and endlessly comforting.
Whether you're Romanian or simply curious about Eastern European cuisine, this soup is a beautiful introduction to the country’s culinary soul.
Final Thoughts
Traditional Ciorbă de Perișoare is more than just a meatball soup—it's a timeless Romanian comfort food that brings warmth, flavor, and joy to every table. With its tender rice-filled meatballs and tangy broth brimming with vegetables, this dish offers a perfect balance of health and heartiness.
It’s easy enough for a weekday meal yet elegant enough to serve guests. So, roll up your sleeves, grab your soup pot, and prepare a batch of Ciorbă de Perișoare you—and your family—will absolutely love.
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