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Pelmeni are the Russian version of dumplings. They’re mostly served on cold winter days with sour cream or just butter. Kids and adults both love them, they are a true Russian comfort food.

Two bowls with pelmeni and sour cream in background

Pelmeni originated from Siberia, no wonder my husband loves them so much. He immigrated to US from Siberia at nine years of age.

Russian Pelmeni can be made by hand or by using a mold. In Russian language, the mold is called “pelmenitsa”, you can get one for yourself onamazon. The mold will always speed up the process of making the Pelmeni.

What Russian Pelmeni Are Made Of

The dough is made with flour, water, eggs and seasoned with salt. The filling is made with ground meat, onion, salt and pepper. The best meat to use for the filling is pork or a combination of beef and chicken.

Tips For Storing Pelmeni

Place the raw Pelmeni on a flat tray, dusted with flour. Generously dust them with flour on the outside. Leave them in a freezer until they harden. Place the frozen Pelmeni in a ziplock back. They can be kept frozen for several months.

Can You Pan Fry Pelmeni?

If you have leftovers, reheat them by frying Pelmeni with butter. Fry them only for a few minutes, just until the outside achieves a golden crust.

Other Russian Recipes to Try

Recipe

Two bowls with pelmeni and sour cream in background

Pelmeni (Russian Dumplings)

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Servings
10 People
Prep Time 1 hr
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 1 hr 20 mins
Pelmeni are the Russian version of dumplings. They're mostly served on cold winter days with sour cream or just butter. Kids and adults both love them, they are a true Russian comfort food.

Ingredients

Ingredients for Pelmeni Dough

  • 3 cup flour
  • 2/3 cup luke warm water
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tsp salt

Ingredients for Pelmeni Filling

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 1 large onion grated
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste

Serving Pelmeni

Instructions

Pelmeni Dough

  • Sift the flour with salt into a mixing bowl. Add eggs, mix the dough for a short bit, then add water to the dough. Combine everything into a smooth texture by hand or using a Kitchen Aid mixer.
    Two bowls with, one with flour and eggs, another bowl with dough

Pelmeni Filling

  • Combine together ground meat, grated onion, salt and pepper. 

To Assemble Pelmeni

  • To save time use a mold to make Pelmeni. Roll out a flat piece of dough and place it on a floured mold that’s covered with flour. Fill each hole with meat. Make one more flat, round piece of dough and place it on top. Sprinkle with flour and roll over it with a roller until each piece is separated. 
    Mold with dough and meat
  • Flip the mold over and shake out the Pelmeni. Dust them with flour, either freeze for later or boil them to cook. 
    Pelmeni made on a cutting board
  • To make Pelmeni by hand, roll out the dough and cut out small circles using a cookie cutter. Place meat in the middle and fold over the sides into a half-moon shape, pinching the edges together. Connect the two corners together.
    Pelmeni dough with the process of making pelmeni

To Boil Pelmeni

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and add Pelmeni. You’ll know they’re ready once you see them float to the top. Take Pelmeni out using a strainer. Drizzle them with butter and serve with a side of sour cream. 
    Bowl with Pelmeni
Nutrition Facts
Pelmeni (Russian Dumplings)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 340 Calories from Fat 126
% Daily Value*
Fat 14g22%
Saturated Fat 5g25%
Cholesterol 120mg40%
Sodium 310mg13%
Potassium 434mg12%
Carbohydrates 30g10%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 21g42%
Vitamin A 70IU1%
Vitamin C 0.8mg1%
Calcium 26mg3%
Iron 3.2mg18%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Posted January 13, 2019

About Author

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.