The BEST German Meatballs Recipe (Königsberger Klopse) (2024)

This iconic German meatball recipe in sauce (Königsberger Klopse) and is often served on special occasions, yet easy enough to make for a weeknight dinner!

The deliciously seasoned beef and pork meatballs are simmered in beef broth before finishing the sauce with cream, capers and lemon.

I love serving mine with peeled gold potatoes cooked in salted water, called Salzkartoffeln in German, to soak up all that yummy gravy!

Who invented Königsberger Klopse

Königsberger Klopse are meatballs originated in the Prussian city Königsberg (meaning "king's mountain"), which became part of Poland and now Russia after World War 2.

It's been attempted to rename this popular German meatball recipe to go with the new city's name, Kaliningrad. However, it's still known as "Königsberger Klopse," not "Kaliningrader Klopse." It's a popular dish all across Germany and from grown-ups to kids, everyone loves it!

How to make them

Königsberg, being a harbor city, had easy access to more exotic ingredients like capers and anchovies and spices, which are essential to this dish. Although the anchovies are optional these days.

The meatball also used to be made from veal, but is now commonly prepared using a half-and-half mixture of ground pork and ground beef that's seasoned with anchovy paste and onion and held together by bread and eggs. Not an anchovy fan? Leave them out, but I promise you won't even taste them!

After simmering the meatballs in broth (I let mine reduce to give it more flavor), I prepare a creamy sauce flavored with capers, lemon and beef broth.

To make it a meal, serve these pork and beef meatballs with salt-water boiled gold potatoes (the traditional way). Pickled beets are another popular side in Germany.

Königsberger Klopse are rather upscale and made on special occasions, although they are simple enough to serve for a more casual evening meal as well.

Ingredients

There are a few essential ingredients you need for making these German meatballs called Königsberger Klopse. A lot of them staples, and a few of them not so common that add unique flavor.

• Ground beef. I usually use lean ground beef, but any kind you have on hand will work.
• Ground pork. The mixture of the two ground meats makes it taste closer to veal, which is what's traditionally used to make Königsberger Klopse.
• Crusty, white roll. I use French bread or a French roll. Soak it in water first, then wring out as much of the water as you can before adding the roll to the meat mixture.
• Onion. I use yellow onions. You'll use one to add to the meatball mixture and another when simmering the meatballs in broth.
• Eggs. To hold the meat mixture together.
• Breadcrumbs. To create a denser meat dough that won't fall apart.
• Anchovy paste. I was skeptical about adding anchovy paste as I don't love anchovies. But it adds a unique depth in flavor without tasting fishy at all.
• Beef broth. For simmering the meatballs in. I let mine reduce, which adds more flavor, then use it for making the sauce.
• Bay leaf. Add it to the simmering broth.
• Whole peppercorns. To add to the simmering broth.
• Ground allspice. It adds a subtle spice note to the broth.

• Butter. To create the base for your creamy caper sauce.
• Flour. Just a bit to thicken the sauce without having to add too much cream.
• Lemon. Just the juice of half a lemon to add freshness.
• Sugar. To balance out the sour notes from the lemon. Just a pinch is usually enough (if using at all).
• Heavy whipping cream. To add creaminess to the sauce.
• Capers. I just love capers for their briney flavor. I used to be 'scared' of them, thinking they're something from the sea. When in fact capers are just tiny little flower buds. I sprinkle more on top before serving.
• Parsley. For garnish.

Video

Visually learn how to make Königsberger Klopse by watching this short video. They're so simple and so good! I promise you'll want to make them over and over again!

You'll love these German recipes

If you love my German meatball recipe, also check out my Frikadellen (German 'hamburgers') and Zwiebelhackbraten (German meatloaf with lots of onions served in a delicious beer sauce).

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