Discover the heart of Latvian comfort food with these juicy, flavorful Kotletes – meat patties made with soaked bread and pan-fried to perfection.
Ingredients
- 500 g ground pork or beef (or a mix)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 slices of white bread
- 100 ml milk
- 1 egg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Soak the bread slices in milk for 5–10 minutes until soft.
- In a bowl, mix ground meat, onion, garlic, egg, salt, pepper, and soaked bread (squeeze out excess milk before adding).
- Mix until smooth and sticky – this helps Kotletes hold together.
- Form medium-sized oval patties with wet hands.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry Kotletes on both sides until golden and cooked through (about 5 minutes per side).
- Serve hot with mashed potatoes, pickles, or a creamy mushroom sauce. Enjoy! 😋
Notes
🇱🇻 Latvian Kotletes – Juicy, Homestyle Meat Patties 🥩🥔
If you ever step into a Latvian kitchen, there’s a good chance you’ll be greeted by the mouthwatering aroma of Kotletes — deliciously juicy meat patties that are a true staple of comfort food in Latvia. These aren’t your typical meatballs. Kotletes are larger, pan-fried to golden perfection, and made incredibly soft and flavorful thanks to a secret old-school trick: soaking bread in milk. 🥖🥛
Whether you’re visiting Riga or recreating Baltic flavors at home, Latvian Kotletes are a must-try — simple, satisfying, and full of love. 💛
🔎 What Makes Kotletes So Special?
✔ Tender and Juicy Texture – White bread soaked in milk makes them melt-in-your-mouth soft.
✔ Hearty and Homestyle – Made with a mix of pork, beef, or chicken (or all three!).
✔ Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor – Seasoned with just salt, pepper, garlic, and optional herbs.
✔ Golden and Crispy Outside – Pan-fried to get that perfect crust, keeping the inside moist and flavorful. These humble patties have been passed down through generations in Latvian families and remain a top comfort food to this day. 🇱🇻❤️ 🍽 Traditional Serving Suggestions Kotletes are rarely served alone! Here’s how Latvians enjoy them:
✔ Hearty and Homestyle – Made with a mix of pork, beef, or chicken (or all three!).
✔ Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor – Seasoned with just salt, pepper, garlic, and optional herbs.
✔ Golden and Crispy Outside – Pan-fried to get that perfect crust, keeping the inside moist and flavorful. These humble patties have been passed down through generations in Latvian families and remain a top comfort food to this day. 🇱🇻❤️ 🍽 Traditional Serving Suggestions Kotletes are rarely served alone! Here’s how Latvians enjoy them:
- 🥔 With potatoes – mashed, boiled, or fried.
- 🥬 With sauerkraut – tangy and fermented to cut through the richness.
- 🥄 With gravy or creamy dill sauce – for extra indulgence.
- 🥒 With pickles – a crunchy, sour contrast that balances the dish beautifully.
