Classic Matzo Ball Soup

The classic Matzo Ball Soup is a staple of Jewish cuisine and a timeless comfort food that’s been passed down through generations. With its golden chicken broth, tender vegetables, and light, fluffy dumplings made from matzo meal, it’s the kind of dish that warms your soul with every spoonful. Whether served on Passover, during the holidays, or whenever comfort is needed, it’s a bowl of love. This recipe brings out deep, nostalgic flavors using traditional techniques with a few modern touches—sparkling water for extra fluffiness in the matzo balls, and schmaltz for richness. The broth simmers low and slow to develop depth, while the matzo balls become pillowy and satisfying. It’s nourishing, classic, and always a hit on the table.

Full recipe:

Ingredients:

For the Broth:

• 1 whole chicken (about 4 pounds), cut into pieces

• 12 cups water

• 4 carrots, peeled and sliced

• 3 celery stalks, chopped

• 1 large onion, peeled and halved

• 5 cloves garlic, peeled

• 1 parsnip, peeled and sliced

• 1 bunch fresh dill

• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Matzo Balls:

• 1 cup matzo meal

• 4 large eggs

• 1/4 cup schmaltz (chicken fat) or vegetable oil

• 1/4 cup sparkling water

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

Directions:

1. In a large stockpot, add chicken pieces, water, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, parsnip, and dill. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 1.5 to 2 hours, skimming foam as needed.

2. Remove chicken from pot and strain broth through a fine mesh sieve. Discard solids and return broth to the pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Keep warm.

3. For matzo balls: In a large bowl, mix matzo meal, eggs, schmaltz or oil, sparkling water, salt, pepper, and garlic powder if using. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

4. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. With wet hands, form matzo mixture into 1-inch balls and gently drop them into the boiling water.

5. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook matzo balls for 30–40 minutes until fluffy and cooked through.

6. To serve, place a few matzo balls into each bowl and ladle hot broth and vegetables over the top. Garnish with fresh dill if desired.

Prep Time: 25 minutes | Cooking Time: 2 hours 15 minutes | Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes

Kcal: 340 kcal | Servings: 8 servings

A Rich Tradition Rooted in Jewish Heritage

Matzo Ball Soup, often referred to as “Jewish Penicillin,” holds a special place in Jewish culture and cuisine. This dish is most famously enjoyed during Passover but is also a beloved staple throughout the year, especially during times of illness or cold weather. Its origins trace back to Eastern European Jewish communities, where chicken soup was a staple made from simple ingredients and resourcefulness. Matzo meal, made from ground unleavened bread, became a way to create dumplings that added heartiness to the broth without using chametz (leavened grains), which are avoided during Passover.

Over time, this humble soup evolved into a celebrated comfort food across generations, transcending cultural boundaries due to its wholesome and healing nature. Families often have their own variations and secret techniques, making each version deeply personal and tied to memory and tradition.

Why Matzo Ball Soup Is the Ultimate Comfort Food

Few dishes match the warmth and soul-soothing qualities of Matzo Ball Soup. At its core, it’s a simple dish—just a clear broth with dumplings—but every component plays a powerful role in delivering flavor and comfort. The golden chicken broth is rich in nutrients and flavor, often simmered for hours with aromatic vegetables and herbs, creating a base that’s both light and robust.

The matzo balls themselves are a marvel of texture. When done right, they’re light and fluffy, almost cloud-like, offering a gentle contrast to the clear broth. The use of sparkling water in the dough helps achieve that airiness, while schmaltz (rendered chicken fat) adds an unmistakable depth and authenticity that vegetable oil just can’t replicate.

In cold months, when you’re under the weather, or simply in need of a warm, home-cooked hug in a bowl, Matzo Ball Soup delivers.

Health Benefits That Go Beyond Taste

Matzo Ball Soup isn’t just delicious—it’s also incredibly nourishing. The homemade chicken broth is loaded with vitamins and minerals, especially when made with bone-in chicken parts. It contains collagen, amino acids like glycine, and electrolytes, all of which are beneficial for gut health, immune function, and hydration.

The vegetables in the broth—carrots, celery, onion, and sometimes parsnips—contribute antioxidants and fiber, making it both cleansing and energizing. And despite the perception that comfort food can be heavy, this soup is actually quite light in calories while still being filling, making it a smart choice for people watching their intake or recovering from illness.

It’s also gluten-free if made with certified gluten-free matzo meal, making it accessible to those with gluten sensitivities.

Secrets to Perfect Matzo Balls Every Time

There’s an age-old debate when it comes to matzo balls: should they be fluffy or dense? While preferences vary, most agree that fluffy matzo balls are the hallmark of a well-made soup. Achieving that texture comes down to a few key tricks.

• Use sparkling water: The carbonation helps aerate the dough, making the balls lighter.
• Chill the dough: Refrigerating the mixture before shaping allows the matzo meal to absorb the moisture, leading to better consistency and less stickiness.
• Simmer, don’t boil: Cooking the matzo balls at a gentle simmer allows them to cook evenly without becoming rubbery.

The inclusion of schmaltz—a golden rendered chicken fat—is another key to adding richness and authentic flavor. It’s traditional and gives the matzo balls a uniquely savory profile that vegetable oil simply can’t match.

Customizing for Any Occasion

One of the reasons Matzo Ball Soup is so beloved is its adaptability. Whether you’re preparing it for Passover or a simple winter evening meal, you can customize the recipe to suit your taste or dietary needs.

• Vegetarian version: Use a rich vegetable broth and swap out the schmaltz for olive oil or a plant-based fat.
• Herb infusions: Add fresh thyme, bay leaves, or parsley stems to the broth while it simmers for extra aroma.
• Add-ins: Some like to include shredded chicken, extra vegetables, or even spices like turmeric or paprika for a different twist.

Because of its simplicity and versatility, this soup can evolve with you. You can keep it classic or reinvent it with modern takes.

Cultural Significance and Generational Love

Matzo Ball Soup is more than just food—it’s a ritual, a memory, and often a symbol of love. It’s commonly served on Friday nights during Shabbat dinners, bringing families together around the table. During Passover, it plays a central role in the Seder meal, symbolizing the ingenuity of Jewish ancestors who turned simple ingredients into sustenance.

Many people can recall stories of their grandmothers making this soup from scratch, infusing the kitchen with the warm aroma of slow-cooked broth. These memories are part of why this soup has stood the test of time—it represents nourishment of both body and spirit.

Even in modern kitchens today, Matzo Ball Soup continues to be passed down as a rite of culinary passage. Learning to make it is often the first traditional recipe a child is taught in Jewish households.

Why This Version Is the Best

What sets this particular Matzo Ball Soup recipe apart is the combination of authenticity and enhancement. It respects traditional techniques while incorporating a few modern touches for perfect results every time.

• Flavorful broth: The broth is made from scratch using a whole chicken and a blend of vegetables, ensuring a rich, golden base.
• Fluffy matzo balls: Thanks to sparkling water and chilling the dough, the dumplings come out perfectly light.
• Balanced seasoning: The inclusion of dill, garlic, and pepper adds layers of flavor without overwhelming the broth’s natural taste.

This isn’t a shortcut recipe—it’s a celebration of doing things the right way. Every step adds up to a bowl of soup that’s deeply satisfying, healthful, and bursting with flavor.

Conclusion

Whether you’re keeping kosher, celebrating a holiday, feeding someone who’s sick, or just craving something deeply comforting, Matzo Ball Soup is the kind of recipe you’ll always want in your back pocket. It’s timeless, nourishing, and endlessly adaptable. Once you’ve mastered this version, it becomes a family favorite that you can pass down, just like generations before you. You may even find yourself making it just because—the smell of it simmering on the stove has a way of turning any day into something special. Matzo Ball Soup isn’t just another chicken soup—it’s the ultimate version. It feeds your hunger and your soul.