Düşbərə is an Azerbaijani dumpling soup famous for exceptionally small lamb-filled dumplings. The pleasure is as much in shaping them as eating them: the broth stays clear while the tiny parcels remain distinct and tender.

Düşbərə is an Azerbaijani dumpling soup famous for exceptionally small lamb-filled dumplings.
- Prep
- 65 minutes
- Cook
- 12–15 minutes
- Serves
- 4
- Cuisine
- Azerbaijan
The recipe
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Ingredients
Quantities change with servings; cooking times stay the same.
Equipment
Method
-
Prepare the dough. Mix flour, egg, approximately 100 ml water and 3 g salt. Knead for 7–8 minutes until firm but pliable, adding remaining water only as needed. Rest covered for 25 minutes.
-
Mix the filling. Combine lamb, onion, remaining salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to shape.
-
Roll and cut. Divide dough into sections and roll each very thin, approximately 1 mm. Cut into 3 cm squares, keeping unfilled dough covered.
-
Fill the tiny parcels. Place approximately 2 g lamb filling in the center of each square. Fold diagonally into a triangle, seal the edges carefully and bring the corners together. Keep shaped dumplings on a lightly floured tray.
-
Poach in broth. Bring stock to a gentle boil, reduce to a lively simmer and cook dumplings in batches for about 6–8 minutes, until dough is cooked and lamb filling reaches at least 75°C. Avoid overcrowding.
-
Finish and serve. Stir dried mint into the broth; ladle dumplings and stock into warm bowls. Serve garlic mixed with wine vinegar separately so each diner can adjust acidity.
Chef’s notes
- A dry, lightly floured board prevents sticking while allowing the dough edges to seal.
- Keep dumplings especially small; oversized parcels change the character of the soup.
- A gentle simmer is more reliable than a rolling boil, which can burst delicate dumplings.
Substitutions
- Beef may replace some lamb, though lamb is traditional.
- Use a mild homemade beef stock if lamb broth is unavailable.
- Dried mint is more typical than a large quantity of fresh mint in the finishing broth.
Storage and Food Safety
Refrigerate cooled cooked dumplings and broth separately within 2 hours; use within 2 days. Reheat both to at least 75°C. Uncooked dumplings can be tray-frozen promptly and cooked from frozen until the filling reaches 75°C.
Serving Suggestions
Clear broth, dried mint and a little garlic vinegar.
Allergens
Wheat (gluten) and egg. Stock may contain celery or other allergens; check ingredients.
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