Appetizer · Snack · Dutch ·

Savory Dutch Bitterballen with Mustard Dip

Name: Savory Dutch Bitterballen with Mustard Dip
Prep time: 70 min
Cook time: 210 min
Total time: 280 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Appetizer
Ingredients: 1 cup beef, finely shredded (cooked); 4 tbsp butter; 1 small onion, finely chopped; 1 cup beef stock; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1 tbsp parsley, finely chopped; 1/2 tsp nutmeg; Salt and pepper, to taste; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2 eggs, beaten; 2 cups breadcrumbs; 1/2 cup Dijon mustard; 2 tbsp mayonnaise; 1 tsp honey; 1 tsp lemon juice

Bitterballen are a beloved Dutch snack consisting of deep-fried balls of meat ragout, crisp on the outside and creamy on the inside. Perfect for parties or as a savory appetizer.

4.9(981 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·August 9, 2025

Savory Dutch Bitterballen with Mustard Dip — Appetizer served and photographed from above

Prep

1 h 10 min

Cook

3 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Ragout

For the Coating

For the Mustard Dip

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 56 kcal
Protein: 2 g
Carbs: 6 g
Fat: 2.7 g
Fiber: 0.4 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2245 kcal
Protein: 78 g
Carbs: 245 g
Fat: 108 g
Fiber: 16 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
1 cup beef finely shredded (cooked)	250	26	0	17	0
4 tbsp butter	400	0	0	45	0
1 small onion finely chopped	20	0	5	0	1
1 cup beef stock	20	2	2	1	0
1/2 cup all-purpose flour	228	6	48	1	2
1 tbsp parsley finely chopped	5	0	1	0	0
1/2 tsp nutmeg	6	0	1	0	1
Salt and pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
1 cup all-purpose flour	455	12	95	2	4
2 eggs beaten	140	12	1	10	0
2 cups breadcrumbs	440	16	80	6	4
1/2 cup Dijon mustard	80	4	6	6	4
2 tbsp mayonnaise	180	0	0	20	0
1 tsp honey	20	0	6	0	0
1 tsp lemon juice	1	0	0	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Making the Ragout

1
Melt butter
Melt butter in a pot over medium heat.
2
Sauté onions
Add onions; sauté until translucent.
3
Cook roux
Stir in flour to form a roux, cooking for 2 minutes.
4
Add stock
Gradually add beef stock, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
5
Combine ingredients
Add shredded beef, parsley, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
6
Thicken and chill
Cook until thickened, then transfer to a tray to cool. Refrigerate for 2 hours.
Tip: Ensure ragout is sufficiently cold and firm to roll into balls. If the ragout seems runny, return it to the stove to thicken further.

Preparing the Mustard Dip

1
Mix dip ingredients
In a small bowl, mix Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, honey, and lemon juice.
2
Chill dip
Stir until smooth and combined, then refrigerate until serving.

How to Make Savory Dutch Bitterballen with Mustard Dip

Total time: 4 h 40 min · Yields 4 servings

1
Forming the Bitterballen
Using chilled hands, form the ragout into 1-inch balls.
2
Breading Process
Dredge each ball in flour, dip in beaten egg, then coat with breadcrumbs.
3
Frying to Perfection
Deep-fry in heated oil (350°F) until golden brown and crispy.