Juicy Beef Rissoles are high up there on the list of foods that my family loves eating. These are a “core meal” at our place – the type of meal you make with zero stress, knowing everyone will happily eat their dinner without complaints. But these are no ordinary, dry rissoles; they are flavour-packed and seriously delicious – juicy and tender on the inside with a golden moreish crust. I make a huge batch and freeze them, ready for when I need a quick dinner option when time isn’t on my side. I love this recipe so much that I included it in my new cookbook Simple Dinners Every Day.
These Juicy Beef Rissoles are not your average rissoles! Juicy, tender and with a crispy golden surface, serve them with mash or veggies.
These rissoles are incredibly versatile and you can serve them with almost anything across a wide range of meals, although my favourite way of serving them is with mashed potatoes and steamed veggies. The rissoles are made with low-cost ingredients that come together quickly and, above all, it’s an uncomplicated dinner – and you know I love uncomplicated things, especially on busy weeknights! Did I mention these double as a lunchbox filler? They can be enjoyed warm or cold.
While these are commonly known in Australia as rissoles (slightly flattened meatballs), I knew them as “faširani šnicli” (minced/ground meat schnitzel) growing up. My mum would make these at least once a week for dinner with a range of salads (like cabbage salad and bean salad) and they were always so delicious. Because their flavour is quite neutral, you can use these beef rissoles across a wide range of meals.
These Juicy Beef Rissoles are not your average rissoles! Juicy, tender and with a crispy golden surface, serve them with mash or veggies
How can I serve Juicy Beef Rissoles?
I am big on cooking once and eating twice (maximum reward with minimal effort!). You can serve these Beef Rissoles with classic mashed potatoes and veggies, or you can choose one of these options:
On a bun – Load the rissoles into a long roll with tomato salsa and grated cheese to make “subs”, or load them onto a hamburger bun with salads of choice.
With vegetables – Pair with steamed vegetables – I love green beans, broccoli, broccolini (tenderstem broccoli), pumpkin, cauliflower, snow peas (mangetout), carrots or peas. Frozen vegetables also work well with these for extra-quick dinners!
With rice – Serve the rissoles on a bed of rice (or rice noodles) with sliced cucumber, a drizzle of soy sauce and a dollop of mayonnaise.
In a wrap – Load up the rissoles with shredded lettuce, diced tomato, guacamole and sour cream to give them a Mexican vibe!
This is the perfect recipe to make ahead of time. I like to refrigerate the rissoles in individual portioned containers with mashed potatoes and steamed broccolini (tender-stem broccoli). They last up to 3 days in the fridge. I reheat them in the microwave for extra-easy dinners.
Can I spice them up?
Yes! Try adding 1 teaspoon of crushed chilli (red pepper) flakes to the beef mixture, or serve with hot sauce or with spicy ajvar (a Balkan relish made primarily from capsicums/bell peppers, found in most major supermarkets).
If you enjoyed Juicy Beef Rissoles, I think you’ll love:
Make the rissole mixture – Add the minced beef, onion, minced garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, pepper and salt or stock powder to a large mixing bowl. Use your hands to combine and roll the mixture into portions the size of golf balls. Flatten using the palm of your hand to form the rissoles.
Cook the rissoles – Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-based frying pan over medium–low heat. Cook the rissoles for 8–10 minutes until browned and cooked through, turning once halfway through. Cook in batches if you need to, so that the pan isn’t crowded – this will prevent the rissoles steaming in the pan and will ensure a golden crust. Set the rissoles aside on a plate.
Make a gravy with the pan juices (optional) – Turn the heat off. Drain any excess oil from the bottom of the pan using a serving spoon and then, while the pan is still hot, add 2–3 tablespoons of water. Use a spoon to scrape up all of the pan drippings.
Serve – Drizzle the pan juices over the rissoles and serve with your favourite sides.
To cook the rissoles in an air fryer – Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F) for about 3–5 minutes.
Lightly spray or brush both sides of the rissoles with olive oil to ensure they brown evenly.
Place the rissoles in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching. Cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
Air fry the rissoles for 10–12 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. Quick note when air frying: must be made with regular minced (ground) beef, not lean as it’s too dry!
Nutrition information
Nutrition Facts
Juicy Beef Rissoles
Amount per Serving
Calories
542
% Daily Value*
Fat
41
g
63
%
Saturated Fat
12
g
75
%
Trans Fat
2
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
3
g
Monounsaturated Fat
22
g
Cholesterol
130
mg
43
%
Sodium
453
mg
20
%
Potassium
498
mg
14
%
Carbohydrates
17
g
6
%
Fiber
1
g
4
%
Sugar
4
g
4
%
Protein
25
g
50
%
Vitamin A
206
IU
4
%
Vitamin C
5
mg
6
%
Calcium
75
mg
8
%
Iron
4
mg
22
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Note 1 – Use a box grater to grate your onion. Cut the onion in half and grate against the grain (if you grate with the grain, it will result in long strands of onion). This method will create a pulp-like texture and extra flavourful rissoles (with no chunky onion bits!). If you can’t get your hands on a box grater, chop the onions as finely as you can with a knife. Note 2 – Beef or chicken stock powder (bouillon) packs so much flavour into these simple rissoles, but plain salt is a suitable substitute.
Make Ahead
Prepare the beef rissoles as per the recipe. Freeze the uncooked rissoles in an airtight container or reusable sandwich bag for up to 2 months.
Leftovers
Refrigerate the cooked rissoles for up to 3 days. Reheat or eat cold. Freeze cooked rissoles for up to 2 months. For best results, allow them to thaw completely in the fridge overnight before reheating.
This has been in my weekly dinner rotation for two months now. It’s a sure fire meal my two picky kids (and hubby) will devour. Making it again tonight! This one’s a hit ❤️
I haven’t had Rissoles for years, they were delicious, I used a beef stock cube, served with mash and vege, so tender, yummy, will definitely make these again, yum!
The best rissoles. I use bullion powder and I grate half the onion on the large side and half on the small side. My family gobbled up the whole batch in one dinner. Even my toddler asked for “more meat please!”
For recipes labelled ‘gluten-free’ or ‘dairy-free’, the ingredients included in the recipe are typically gluten- or dairy-free. However, it is the user’s responsibility to carefully check the ingredient panels on the specific brands of products purchased and used. Simple Home Edit cannot be held responsible for any adverse reactions.
Hamish says:
Delicious & simple vert tasty
Nicole says:
Happy you enjoyed these, Hamish! ❤️ Nic x
Elaine says:
Is the nutrition facts only for the rissoles or does it include the serve of mashed potato ?
Nicole says:
Hi Elaine, the stats include everything. ❤️ Nic x
Lee-Anne says:
Very good recipe and very easy to make..
Nicole says:
Love to hear this, Lee-Anne! Thanks for the rating too. ❤️ Nic x
Annalisa says:
Delicious
Nicole says:
So happy you enjoyed these Annalisa and thanks for the rating! 🥰 Nic x
Alanna says:
Absolutely delish! Husband said restaurant worthy! To me it reminded me of a really delicious meatloaf in a little round serving instead. Sooo good!
Nicole says:
I agree, Alanna! They’re like juicy little meatloaf balls! Yum. 🙌🏻 So happy you loved this and thanks for the rating. Nic x
Molly says:
Has anyone tried substituting the beef for ground pork, turkey or chicken?
Nicole says:
Hi Molly, I’ve tried these with pork and chicken and I can tell you that they’re still great! 🥰 Nic x
Maja says:
This has been in my weekly dinner rotation for two months now. It’s a sure fire meal my two picky kids (and hubby) will devour. Making it again tonight! This one’s a hit ❤️
Nicole says:
Hi Maja, I’m so happy to hear this. 🙌🏻 And, honestly, it’s the same at my place! Thanks so much for sharing and for the rating. Nic x
Gabrielle says:
Delicious. I have made them for myself and for a family brunch.
Nicole says:
So great to hear, Gabrielle! Thanks for the rating. Nic x
Morag says:
I haven’t had Rissoles for years, they were delicious, I used a beef stock cube, served with mash and vege, so tender, yummy, will definitely make these again, yum!
Nicole says:
So happy you enjoyed these Morag! They’re great aren’t they! Thanks for the rating. Nic x
Morag says:
So much so, we are having them again tonight!
Nicole says:
Fantastic, Morag! 🙌🏻 Nic x
Kay says:
So easy and so delicious! Has been a go to for us and goes down so well 🙌
Nicole says:
Hi Kay, you and me both! I love this easy recipe and am thrilled you are enjoying it! Thanks for the rating too. Nic x
Jennifer Newkirk says:
The best rissoles. I use bullion powder and I grate half the onion on the large side and half on the small side. My family gobbled up the whole batch in one dinner. Even my toddler asked for “more meat please!”
Nicole says:
Ahh, “more please”, isn’t that music to our ears!? Thanks for sharing this lovely feedback, Jennifer, and for the rating too. Nic x
Ness says:
These are delicious, best rissoles ever. I also add parsley to the meat mix.
Nicole says:
So glad you are loving the rissoles, Ness! I cook them on repeat at ours!! The parsley sounds delish. Thanks for the rating too. Nic x