This classic Russian kotleti recipe tastes like it came straight out of grandmother’s kitchen. These juicy and tender meat patties are surely going to become your new favorite comfort food!
Classic Russian kotleti, also commonly referred to as “katleti”, are a lot like American meatballs. The difference is they are fried patties that are shaped and seasoned with a Slavic twist. Straight from my family’s recipe book, this kotleti recipe is made with a meat mixture of grated onions and ground chicken and can be served anywhere you would have a filling protein.
Katleti in Russia Are Like Chicken Nuggets in US
In Russia, kids eat kotleti like kids in the United States each chicken nuggets. They’re also commonly served in most Slavic cafes alongside marinated veggies, cabbage salads, tender buckwheat, and other staples.
Kotleti are truly the epitome of comfort food (especially when served with a heaping side of creamy mashed potatoes) and can win over even the pickiest of eaters. What’s better? They’re wholesome and healthy, only requiring a handful of ingredients you likely already have hanging out in your pantry.
How to Make Russian Kotleti
Making kotleti only requires a bit of mixing and a quick pan fry. Below, find a brief overview of the recipe before you dive in.
- Soak the Bread: Place the bread slices in milk for at least 10 minutes. Rip the slices into small pieces.
- Make the Patty Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, egg, mayonnaise, bread, grated onion, salt, and pepper.
- Fry the Kotleti: In a frying pan over medium heat, spoon equal amounts of the meat mixture into the pan to form individual patties. Fry until both sides turn golden brown. Enjoy!
Tips for Making the Best Russian Kotleti
Below, find a collection of tips to help you make the best Russian kotleti on the planet.
- Mix and match the ground meat. Although this recipe calls for ground chicken, feel free to mix and match the ground meat you use. You can use any combination of ground beef, ground pork, or ground turkey.
- Make sure to soak the bread. Soaking the bread in milk makes the kotleti extra moist. This might go against what you know about bread crumbs and meatballs, but trust and believe it makes all the difference!
- Flip the patties only once. Refrain from over-flipping the kotleti as they fry in the pan. This will help them form a nice, crispy crust.
- Fry patties over medium heat. If you go too low, the patties won’t form a nice crust. If you go too high, they will burn. Medium heat is just right!
Meat Thermometer Hack: If you’re unsure if kotleti are cooked thoroughly, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.
Serving Kotleti
The best way to serve Russian Kotleti is with the most traditional sides. Buckwheat, mashed potatoes, cabbage salad, and marinated cucumbers are the usual suspects. You could also bake some fresh baguettes to sop up the juices that come out of the kotleti when you slice into them. Yum!
Storing Russian Kotleti
Kotleti are super easy to store and are perfect for meal prep. Below, find instructions on how to serve the meat patties in both the refrigerator and freezer.
- Refrigerator: Store leftover kotleti in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should keep for up to a week.
- Freezer: Freeze leftover kotleti by first letting them cool completely. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Pop the baking sheet into the freezer uncovered. Once the patties are completely frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag and store for up to 3 months.
Reheating Tip: You can easily reheat kotleti in the microwave, but if you want them to be extra crispy use the conventional oven or an air fryer (the COSORI XL Air Fryer is my latest obsession if you need a recommendation).
FAQ
What is kotleti?
Kotleti are Russian meat patties made with ground meat, eggs, mayonnaise, soaked bread, milk, and a bit of salt and pepper. They’re somewhere in between a sausage patty and a meatball.
How do you make kotleti?
Making kotleti only requires a bit of mixing and frying. With just a couple of steps, it’s perfect for a hectic weeknight meal.
What should I serve kotleti with?
You should serve kotleti with mashed potatoes, cooked buckwheat, marinated veggies, and/or cabbage salad. These are the most traditional side dishes for kotleti in Russia! However, feel free to have kotleti anywhere you would serve a filling protein – on top salads, in between bread, or served alongside eggs for a hearty breakfast.
What kind of oil should I fry the kotleti in?
Avocado oil is a great option to fry kotleti in. It has a high smoking point and neutral flavor, making it perfect for pan-frying. You could also use canola oil.
Can I swap out the mayonnaise for something else?
You can swap out the mayonnaise for sour cream. This will make the kotleti just as moist and add a nice tang.
Similar Recipes to Try
- Chicken Kotleti Recipe – Ground chicken and cheese meat patties
- Grape Jelly Meatballs – Sweet and salty meatballs
- Oatmeal Meatballs – Made with oatmeal and ground chicken
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Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 lb ground chicken
- 2 eggs
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1/2 medium onion grated
- 1/2 cup milk
- 3 bread slices
- 1 tbsp salt adjust to taste
- 1 tsp ground black pepper adjust to taste
- oil for frying
Instructions
- Soak the bread pieces in milk for about 10 minutes. Shred the bread into small pieces.
- Mix ground chicken with egg, mayonnaise, and bread. Mix in onion and season to taste.
- Preheat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Spoon equal portions of the meat mixture into the pan, leaving a little bit of space between each patty. Fry on each side until golden brown (about 4-5 minutes on each side).
Hi Natalya,
How many meatballs are in one serving? I'm a little confused here. Trying to figure out how many batches to make for a big crowd. Thanks in advance
Hey Inna! It's roughly 3-4 kotleti per serving, possibly more depending on how small or big you shape them. This recipe will easily make 20-30 big kotleti (I like to make mine really big). If you prefer smaller ones, you'll get even more! Enjoy!
Have you made them with ground beef? And are they just as good as with chicken?
Hi Leanna- Personally I prefer using chicken or pork for these meatballs, but you can use beef if you'd like to! Also, I do have another recipe that includes chicken, beef and buckwheat that you could try if you're looking for an option with beef! https://momsdish.com/recipe/7…
Would it be okay to soak in water the bread? Making for people who cannot have dairy?
Hey Jackie, dairy does add a bit of moisture to the meatballs but water should still work. Enjoy them!
This is such a delicious recipe! Made it the other night and we were in awe! SO good!
Thank you!! I am so glad you loved it!
Such a delicious and moist recipe! My hubby and teens loved trying this. Great and easy comfort food that is a big hit here! I’ll definitely make this again!
I am so glad you loved the recipe!
Wow. So delicious. I have never heard of kotleti until now after searching for unique meatball recipes. So easy to make!
I am so glad you got to try something new and enjoyed them, thank you for taking the time to comment!
What kind of oil do you prefer to use when frying?
Hey Stacie, currently I am loving avocado oil from Costco. I seem to be changing the preference pretty often. 🙂
These turned out delicious and moist. I loved sharing the flavors of my childhood with my children and husband. Saving this recipe.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thank you for taking the time to comment!
Hi Natalya,
Can I make them without Mayonnaise? Or use sour cream instead?
Thanks
Hey, yes you can. It will add that moist texture for them to be delicious!
Hi Natalya! Do you use ground chicken breast or thighs? Thanks!
I don't have a preference, whatever I have on hand.
How much salt and pepper did you use?
About 1 tsp ground black pepper and 1/2 a tbsp of salt. Each salt brand has a slightly different strength so its good to do a little taste test after the first batch cooks.
Just made these and oh my goodness they are so delicious! My picky kids even loved them. I told them they are chicken nuggets and they were flying off the plate! This recipe is so simple compared to the breaded katleti and they taste way better. Thank you thank you!!
Alina, thank you! Its on our menu for this week. They are guilt free nuggets 😉 So happy you guys loved them!
Hi there, would any kind of bread work with this?
Any bread would work but I found that French bread works the best.
My daughter in law is from Kharkov Ukraine and I have been trying to find dishes to make for her when they come visit. I will definately try this one. When we went over there last May for the wedding and to meet her family, we loved the food. Thank you for sharing.
Hi, thanks for stopping by. I hope you get to check out other traditional Slavic recipes. I immigrated from Ukraine also 🙂
That's very interesting to make chicken nuggets with ground chicken! It sounds yummy, I'm confused what to do with the bread- breadcrumbs?
After soaking bread in milk you would add it to the meat. Bread makes the nuggets moist. I think you will love them but still let me know how it goes 🙂