Tyrolean Dumplings: The Original Recipe to Try at Home

Step 5: Serve the dumplings in a hot broth.

Tiroler Speckknödel (bacon dumplings) is a classic dish you will find on the menu at more or less every hut and restaurant in the region. Check out our do-it-yourself recipe with which you can impress both Tiroleans and non-Tiroleans alike!

It is hard to believe that this hearty dish was originally a way of using up leftovers. Old bread, bacon and eggs would be mixed with herbs, onions and a little milk to make Tiroler Speckknödel. Today these dumplings are more popular than ever before and a good last-minute culinary solution. Quick to make and loved by all, they can be served with a hot broth in winter or a fresh salad in summer.

 

Ingredients for Tyrolean Dumplings

• 5 stale white bread rolls or 250 g bread cubes
• Salt
• ¼ liter milk
• 2 eggs
• 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
• 80 g smoked bacon ("Speck"), finely diced
• 30 g butter
• Chives
• Salted water
• 1½ liters vegetable or beef broth

For vegetarians: Simply skip the bacon and use cheese cubes and vegetable broth. A yummy veggie version ;-)

Ingredients for bacon dumplings

How to make Tyrolean Dumplings

Cut the stale white bread into small cubes. Pour some warm milk over the bread cubes and let the mixture soak for a few minutes. Cut the smoked bacon into small cubes and fry in butter.

Beat the remaining milk and eggs together and add to the soaked bread mixture with the bacon, chives and breadcrumbs. Season with salt and knead quickly by hand to blend all the ingredients. If the dough is too moist, knead in some more breadcrumbs.

Bring salted water to a boil and reduce to a simmer. With dampened hands, form the mixture into 8 to 12 balls. Add gently to the salted water and keep on the simmer for 10-15 minutes.

Serve the bacon dumplings in a large bowl with hot broth and sprinkle chopped chives on top to garnish. Serve with a cabbage salad.

Step 1: Fry the finely cubed bacon in the butter.

Step 2: Combine the soaked bread with the milk, eggs, bacon, chives and breadcrumbs. Knead quickly and season with salt.

Step 3: Mix all the ingredients thoroughly with your hands. If the dough is too moist, knead in some breadcrumbs.

Step 4: With dampened hands, form the dumpling mixture into balls and keep on the simmer for 10-15 minutes.

Step 5: Serve the dumplings in a hot broth.