Crispy Rice and Ground Meat Croquettes
Golden and crispy on the outside, tender and flavorful on the inside — these rice croquettes are a brilliant way to use up leftover rice. Seasoned with fresh herbs and spices, they make a crowd-pleasing snack or hearty main dish. Budget-friendly and endlessly versatile.
🛒 Ingredients
20 servings
- 500 g (1 lb) ground beef or pork
- 250 g (1½ cups) cooked rice, preferably day-old
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons chives, finely sliced
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 3 large eggs
- 1½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
- Vegetable oil for deep frying
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Directions
- 1
In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, ground meat, onion, parsley and chives.
- 2
Season with paprika, oregano, salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly until evenly combined.
- 3
Beat the eggs lightly in a small bowl, then pour over the meat mixture and stir well.
- 4
Add the flour gradually, mixing after each addition, until the mixture holds its shape but remains slightly sticky.
- 5
Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for 10 minutes — this makes shaping much easier.
- 6
With damp hands, shape into oval or round croquettes, about 4 cm (1.5 in) across.
- 7
Heat oil in a deep saucepan or fryer to 175 °C (350 °F).
- 8
Fry in batches of 5–6, turning once, for 3–4 minutes per side until deep golden brown.
- 9
Drain on paper towels and serve hot with a green salad or dipping sauce of your choice.
💡 Chef's Tip
Day-old rice is key — fresh rice retains too much moisture and will make the mixture too wet to hold its shape during frying. If you only have fresh rice, spread it on a tray and let it cool completely (uncovered) before using.
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