Boulets à la Liégeoise are a traditional Belgium meatball recipe made with a mixture of pork and beef mince cooked in a delicious sauce. This recipe has been made in collaboration with Redmond Multicookers.
It feels like an absolute age since I have cooked anything properly! In fact, it’s been nearly a month since I blogged a recipe and this is because I have been busy galavanting about on travel adventures!
After an epic two-week bike-packing trip through the highlands of Scotland (part one can be read here, the rest of the story will follow soon!) I returned home for two days to collect my family, and, before I had finished unpacking from the bike-packing trip we were off on another holiday, this time to Brussels for a weekend’s Belgian Chocolate Experience courtesy of P&O Ferries.
Football fever was apparent when we arrived in Brussels with the streets in the city centre decked out in football bunting and shop window displays hinting at the excitement, despite the rainy weather.
I confess that I am not one to follow the football, but if I hadn’t been travelling with my children I would have opted into watching the Belgium – Wales match in one of the local pubs, just for the immersive experience.
The evening of the match we had dinner at Chutney’s in the city centre, choosing this restaurant over the others because it had a handwritten sign outside boasting traditional Belgian cuisine.
I tried a trio of Belgian specialities – vol au vent, beef carbonade and, my personal favourite, the Liège meatball (bottom left photo with the spring onion sprinkled on it), aka Boulets à la Liégeoise, served with Belgian fries and a bottle of Le Fort craft ale to wash it down.
Again, I’m not really a beer drinker but this ale was really rather lovely, dark and rich with an excellent flavour.
The whole meal tasted amazing and I vowed when I returned home I would look up the recipe for the meatballs. Also, the fries were the best fries I have ever, ever eaten.
It turns out that Belgian frites are fried in beef dripping instead of the vegetable oil I have grown accustomed to in the UK. Genius! How can I ever go back to oven fries again?!
We arrived back from our weekend trip abroad yesterday and so with Belgium fever still upon us I picked up a few Belgian beers at Beervana in Lerwick and set about recreating the classic meatball recipe I’d tried in Brussels.
Redmond Multicookers are also going football mad this season. They’re hosting a football cooking competition on their Facebook page where you can share photographs of the recipes from the participating countries in this year’s Euro finals and be in for the chance at winning a Redmond multicooker.
Traditionally these meatballs are baked in the oven and the sauce is prepared separately. I made the sauce in my Redmond Multicooker, a handy cooking appliance with over 45 functions which can store away easily into a cupboard when not in use.
It’s a really rather simple recipe – just blend the meatball ingredients, a combination of beef and pork mince, form into large meatballs and bake.
The gravy simply involves sauteeing some onions with fresh thyme before adding a good quality beef stock and some Belgian brown beer.
The special ingredient is sirop de Liège, a special apple-butter like spread made with evaporated apple and pear concentrate. I couldn’t obtain this in Shetland, so I replaced it with pear and apple spread by Sunwheel, which worked a treat.
The gravy is thick and fruity, ideal for dipping fries into. Although this recipe is a classic Belgian dish, there are as many different ways to make it as there are families. Everyone has their own style. I adapted two recipes from here and here to prepare mine.
Boulets à la Liégeoise - Belgium Meatballs
Ingredients
for the meatballs
- 300 grams lean beef mince
- 700 grams pork mince
- 4 thick slices of bread crusts removed, soaked in milk
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 1 large handful fresh parsley finely chopped
- 2 free-range eggs
- 35 grams dried bread crumbs
- sea salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
- freshly grated nutmeg to taste
for the sauce
- 2 tbsp Scottish rapeseed oil or drippings from the meatball pan
- 3 onions halved and sliced
- 4 fresh thyme leaves leaves only
- 3 tbsp dark muscovado sugar
- 1 tsp red wine vinegar
- 330 ml dark Belgium beer
- 670 ml good quality beef stock I
- 2 tbsp Sirop de Liège I used pear & apple spread by Sunwheel
- 4 whole cloves
- 6 juniper berries
- 2 bay leaves
- sea salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 20 grams cornflour dissolved in a bit of cold water
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Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200 C and lightly grease a roasting tray with beef dripping.
- Put all the ingredients for the meatballs into a large bowl and, using your hands, combine well.
- Measure out 10-12 meatballs weighing approximately 120 grams each and place into the roasting tray.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat the rapeseed oil in the bowl of your Redmond Multicooker using the FRY > VEGETABLE setting.
- Cook the onions with the thyme leaves for a few minutes until they begin to change colour and add the dark muscovado sugar, stirring to caramelise the onions.
- Deglaze the pan with the red wine vinegar and then add the Belgium beer and the beef stock.
- Bring to the boil and add the apple spread, cloves, juniper berries and bay leaves. Season to taste.
- Select COOK and set the timer for 30 minutes. Leave the gravy to simmer with the lid down.
- During the final five minutes of cooking add the cornflour dissolved in some water to thicken the sauce.
- Add the meatballs and serve with frites, salad and a good Belgium beer.
Nutrition
Environmental Information
OTHER BELGIUM INSPIRED RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE
Double Chocolate Brownie-Style Belgian Waffles by Kavey Eats
BBQ Waffle S’mores by Foodie Quine
Flemmish Beef Stew & Speculoos Biscuits by It’s Not Easy Being Greedy
Blinde Vinken Braised in Grimbergen Beer by Cook Sister
Disclaimer: This is a paid post for Redmond Multicookers.
Daydream adventurer. Expat Canadian. Foodie. Calls Shetland home, for now. One eye is always on the horizon.
Gemma says
I prepared this and it was exactly like the meatballs dish I ate in Brussels!
Leroy says
Does it have to have beer in it? I’m only 13.
Elizabeth says
No, it doesn’t – just replace the beer with some good quality beef or pork stock 🙂
Alan Moore says
As with all of your recipes, this looks totally scrumptious:)
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
I grew up eating these, as my Nan is from Belgium, and they always remind me of home. Perfect with some Leffe.
Packing my Suitcase says
Oh my, they look amazing! I loooove meatballs, and this recipe is definitely a great idea to improve mine 😀
I’ve gotta try it sometime soon!! Pictures are mouth watering!
Happy to have you on #MondayEscapes
Chloe says
Wow! Everything you do makes me so hungry. It looks so incredible and inventive. I’d love to try this. The sauce, the meatballs, all of it looks amazing. xx
Laura H says
Homemade meatballs are always better than store bought ones so I’ll have to try this out myself. I like that there’s a hearty helping of gravy with this dish!
Helen at CAsa Costello says
How cute is the smurf shop? We were in Hungary recently when they qualified to go through to the next round of the Euros – Its an electric atmosphere being in a different country when they are celebrating, isn’t it?
Jordanne says
Oh My! This does look absolute delicious, I love to cook something I think I’ll be bookmarking this page for reference!
Jordanne || Thelifeofaglasgowgirl.co.uk
Lyndsey O'Halloran says
These look amazing! You’re a bit of a wizz in the kitchen as well as with a camera!
Dean of Little Steps says
I actually gasped when I saw the first photo. My husband and I love meatballs! He’ll be delighted if I’m able to replicate this, sadly I’m not a kitchen goddess like you, but might still give it a go 🙂
Cecilia says
Woow this recipe looks amazing, I totally understand why you falled in love with the Belgian fries, they sounds very tasty! Love the idea of dipping it in beef sauce instead of vegetable oil. I might have to try this recipe xx
Linda Hobbis says
Those look delicious. Hercule Poirot would definitely have cooked those! I loved Brussels – particularly all the beers. Didn’t realise why Belgian Frites were different though. Now I know!
Northern Crumble says
I’ve never heard of the Redmond Multicookers before, however I’ve certainly heard of Leffe beer and enjoy a bottle or two at Christmas!
Kira C says
Foreign style meatballs are always the best! (Like Ikea’s) I’ve never actually tried making any myself though so I’d love to try these!
Rachel says
This looks absolutely lovely and Leffe is also my favourite beer, so I spotted that in the background there x
Kitty Kaos says
I love meatballs and was looking for something new to cook this week so I will defo be making these next week thank you x
Life as Mum says
They look really delicious . I should really try them!
Sarah Bailey says
Oh yum what a delicious looking meal! I can just imagine tucking into this this evening for dinner. x
Anosa says
Oh my, I love how delicious these meatballs look. I want me some of these, thanks for the recipe
kate @veggie desserts says
What a busy time you’ve had! Belgium looks amazing and I love that you’ve recreated a recipe at home in your multicooker. Yum!
Tanya Brannan says
This recipe looks amazing! I have never thought of cooking meatballs in beer, so I am intrigued on the final taste. Thank you for sharing x
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes says
I think I need to visit Belgium just for these meatballs or make your recipe, yum!
Ana De- Jesus says
These boulets would be great as a veggie option too, its nice to get some recipe inspiration for you and not to worry we know cycling has been hectic for you xx
Kavey says
I do love meatballs and I love using beer in cooking too. These look really comforting and delicious!
Claire says
Oh my goodness, these sound exceptional! Love visiting Belgium.
WhatLauraLoves says
ooh yum, this looks so tasty. I went to Belgium a few years ago and loved it xxx
Liz Mays says
I’d love to make some meatballs like these. They sound so good and it would be a change from my normal recipe.
Jess says
These look delicious and I love the sound of the fruity gravy! 🙂
Sarahjane says
One word…yum!!! These look great! I will need to try out the recipe
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Ooh I love that these are cooked in beer. That sauce sounds SO flavourful! Looks like you had a good time in Belgium 🙂
nicol says
ive never tried a belgium meatball before. this looks so delicious right now
Mellissa Williams says
I adore meatballs. The ones I make is from a Jamie Oliver recipe and uses cream crackers crushed instead of breadcrumbs! The gravy on your meatballs looks amazing too. I need to get one of these multicookers, as my oven isn’t working
Milly Youngman says
This looks SO tasty, oh wow! I loved the food when I went to Belgium – and your photography is gorgeous!
Susanna says
That looks delicious! Any idea on the nutritional info?
I also need to check that multicooker; might make my life a tad easier…
MELANIE EDJOURIAN says
Brussels looks great and so do those meatballs, I want to try them making them..
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says
Oh these look so good Elizabeth. Lovely recipe and I cannot wait to hear about your trip to Brussels.
Michele says
I loved belgium! Especially the frites and the sauces that came with every meal. Your meatball sauce sounds heavenly! Pinned for future cooking!
Tracy says
Oh wow those meatballs look gorgeous. I really love the chips too – when I went to Brugge I went to the frites museum there!!! Mmmmmm, delicious – definitely going to give the meatballs a go.
Joanne Mallon says
Brussels looks fantastic, what a great weekend you had. Off to read your post about Scotland now as I am going there myself in a few weeks.
Ali @ Home & Plate says
Belgium is on my bucket list for someday. These meatballs looks fantastic. I love discovering new family favorites from other countries and this looks like a recipe that would serve up great for a party. Looks wonderful.
Rhian Westbury says
Wow a belgian chocolate experience sounds amazing! This recipe looks so good as well x
Jessica says
So aside from waffles and chocolates, this is something I need to try. looks very delicious as how each of your photo documented it.
Lynette says
I have never been to Belgium but I would be interested in going, especially for the chocolate. Your meatballs look incredible too, my bf would love to find those for dinner 🙂
Hannah says
My mouth is watering..I need to make this! Your photos are amazing too xx
Noel Lizotte says
Delicious! I’ll be adding this recipe to my menu rotation for this fall!
jealous that you went tromping in Scotland.
hysterical that even Smurfs are football fans!
envious of the multicooker
can I just follow you everywhere and share in all you do? ! LOL
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
I can imagine that sauce….just give me a straw!
fashion-mommy says
I love meatballs and the idea of chips in the beef dripping sounds so amazing.
Harriet from Toby & Roo says
These look delectable Elizabeth! So tasty! I will have to have a go at making them, we like meatballs in this house!
Janie says
So glad you had a good time Elizabeth! I made meatballs this past weekend although mine were inspired by Italy rather than Belgium. Love the look of your gravy/sauce, it does look perfect for dunking chips in 🙂
Janie x
Lisa says
I don’t want to sound crude when I say I love a good meatball!! I will need to try out your recipe and the competition sounds like one I might have to have a look at!!
Jealous of all your travel!! Looks like you are having a blast!! Can’t wait to read more about it!!
Fashion and Style Police says
This meatballs recipe looks yummy. I am going to try this over the weekend.
Tracey says
Those meatballs look totally delicious. I’m more used to Italain meatballs served with pasta. I never would have thought about having chips with them instead – clever. That combination would go down very well with my kids! Tx
Tara | C&CO says
Wow, sounds great! Gorgeous photography as usual xo