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These Russian pelmeni are traditional dumplings stuffed with juicy ground meat, onions, and simple seasoning. Serve them on a cold winter’s day with sour cream or melted butter!

Palmeni in a pan

Pelmeni originated from Siberia, the eastern-most region of Russia. It’s no wonder my husband loves them so much! He immigrated to the US from Siberia at nine years of age and lights up with joy any time I work up the energy to make pelmeni homemade.

In this recipe, you’ll learn how to make these Russian dumplings by hand or by using a special mold. In Russian, the pelmeni mold is called a “pelmenitsa”. To make the process easier, you can snag one for yourself on Amazon. You’ll be amazed at how much it streamlines the process!

Have you ever tried Georgian dumplings? They’re like Russian pelmeni, but with a twist!

What are Russian Pelmeni?

Pelmeni are traditional Russian dumplings made with a simple dough of flour, water, eggs, and salt. Typically, they are stuffed with a filling of ground pork, chicken, turkey, or beef seasoning with onions and salt and pepper. Largely considered the national dish of Russia, you will find these tasty dumplings served in homes, cafes, and fancy restaurants throughout the country.

  • Flavor: Mild non-leavened boiled dough is contrasted with a rich and savory filling of ground meat and onions.
  • Texture: The soft boiled dough is filled with a ground meat filling, making for an explosion of texture in your mouth.
  • Time: From prep to table, these dumplings take just under an hour and a half to make.
Two bowls with pelmeni and sour cream in background

How to Make Pelmeni Using a Pelmeni Mold

Below, find a quick overview of how to make these traditional Russian dumplings using a specialized mold.

  • Roll the Dough Out: With a rolling pin, roll out a flat piece of dough and place it on a well-floured pelmeni mold. Fill each hole with the meat mixture. Next, roll out another piece of dough and lay it directly on top of the first.
  • Shape the Dumplings: Using a rolling pin, roll over the top dough several times until each dumpling is separated.
  • Flip the Mold: Flip the mold over and gently shake the raw dumplings out. Dust them with flour and freeze them for later or cook them straight away!
rolled out pelmeni dough
Pelmeni mold with meat
Pelmeni in a mold

How to Make Pelmeni by Hand

If you don’t have a mold or prefer the true classic pelmeni, find a brief overview of how to shape the dumplings by hand.

  • Roll the Dough Out: Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough into a flat piece. Next, use a circular cookie cutter to cut out small circles from the dough.
  • Shape the Dumplings: Top each dough circle with a spoonful of the meat mixture. Fold over the sides to create a half-moon shape. Next, pinch the pointy edges together, securing them tightly with your fingers. Dust with flour and freeze for later or boil to eat straight away!
Pelmeni dough cut out
pelmeni dough with a filling
half folded pelmeni
Pelmeni made by hand

Serving Pelmeni

Pelmeni can be served as a meal all on their own or as an appetizer dish before a traditional Russian meal of cabbage rolls and cream mushroom potatoes. They are delicious eaten plain or topped with sour cream, melted butter, and fresh dill.

Storing Pelmeni

  • Refrigerator: Store leftover dumplings in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should keep for up to a week.
  • Freezer: To freeze raw dumplings, generously coat each dumpling in flour. Place them on a baking sheet dusted with flour and pop it into the freezer for a couple of hours or until the dumplings are completely frozen. Transfer the dumplings to a freezer-safe bag and store them for up to 3 months.

FAQ

Can I pan fry pelmeni?

Like pierogi, you can finish pelmeni by pan frying them if you want a nice outer crispy. To do so, place them in a skillet with a bit of butter and fry each side until golden brown.

What is the difference between pelmeni and pierogi?

Pelmeni are meat-filled boiled dumplings while pierogi are typically boiled and pan-fried and can be filled with an assortment of sweet and savory fillings.

What are pelmeni traditionally made with?

Pelmeni are meat dumplings that are traditionally filled with ground beef, pork, or lamb.

How long does it take to make homemade pelmeni?

It takes just under an hour and a half to make homemade pelmeni.

Can you freeze cooked pelmeni?

Yes, you can freeze cooked pelmeni. To do so, first let them cool completely. Next, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Pop the entire baking sheet in the freezer until the pelmeni are completely frozen. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag and store them for up to 3 months. To reheat, cook them in boiling water until they float to the top.

Pelmeni on a cutting board with meat being done

Other Russian Recipes to Try

Recipe

Pelmeni in a bowl

Pelmeni (Russian Dumplings)

Print Pin
Servings
14 servings
Prep Time 1 hr
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 1 hr 20 mins
Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin
Pelmeni are the Russian version of dumplings. They're mostly served on cold winter days with sour cream or just butter.

Ingredients

Ingredients for Pelmeni Dough

  • 3 cup flour
  • 2/3 cup lukewarm water
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tsp salt

Ingredients for Pelmeni Filling

  • 2 lb ground meat pork, chicken, turkey, and/or ground beef
  • 1 large onion grated
  • 1/2 tbsp salt to taste
  • 1 tsp pepper to taste

Serving Pelmeni

US Units – Metric

Instructions

Pelmeni Dough

  • Sift the flour and salt into a large mixing bowl. Add the eggs and mix until incorporated. Add water.
    Flour, eggs and water in a bowl with flour
  • Using a stand mixer, mix the dough until smooth. Sprinkle flour onto a flat work surface.
    Pelmeni dough in a bowl

Pelmeni Filling

  • In a large bowl, mix the ground meat, grated onion, salt, and pepper with your hands until well-combined.
    ground meat, onion and salt and pepper

Assemble the Pelmeni (Mold or By Hand)

  • To save time, use a pelmeni mold to shape the dumplings. To do so, roll out a flat piece of dough and place it on the well-floured mold. Fill each hole with meat.
    Pelmeni mold with meat
  • Make another flat, round piece of dough and place it on top. Sprinkle with flour and use a rolling pin to roll over the dough until each dumpling is separated.
    Pelmeni in a mold
  • Flip the mold over and shake out the pelmeni. Dust them with flour. At this point, you can either freeze them for later or boil them to eat immediately.
    made pelmeni out of the mold
  • Alternatively, you can make the pelmeni by hand. To do so, roll the dough out and cut small circles out of it using a cookie cutter. Place the meat mixture in the middle and fold over the sides into a half-moon shape, pinching the edges together to secure the filling inside. Connect the two corners together. Repeat until you have no dough or meat mixture left.
    Pelmeni in the making process by hand

Boil the Pelmeni

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the pelmeni in. Once they float to the top, they are finished and ready to be taken out. Strain the pelmeni with a colander. Drizzle them with butter and serve with a side of sour cream. Enjoy!
    Bowl with Pelmeni
Nutrition Facts
Pelmeni (Russian Dumplings)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 279 Calories from Fat 126
% Daily Value*
Fat 14g22%
Saturated Fat 5g25%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 6g
Cholesterol 81mg27%
Sodium 474mg20%
Potassium 230mg7%
Carbohydrates 21g7%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 15g30%
Vitamin A 52IU1%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 24mg2%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Posted September 6, 2021

About Author

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Natalya Drozhzhin

Natalya founded Momsdish to demonstrate that placing a homemade meal on the table is not hard at all. Natalya makes cooking easier and approachable, by simplifying the ingredients, while still producing the same great taste.