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Authentic German Frikadellen

Frikadellen, Germany’s beloved meat patties, are juicy, flavorful, and easy to make. Whether served with potato salad, mashed potatoes, or a hearty bread, they’re a satisfying comfort food with rich tradition.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1lb (450 g) ground beef (or a mix of ground beef and pork)1small onion, finely chopped1clove garlic, minced1large egg1slice stale white bread (or1/2 cupbreadcrumbs)1/4 cupmilk1 tspmustard (Dijon or yellow)1 tspsalt1/2 tspblack pepper1/2 tsppaprika1/2 tspground marjoram (optional)1 tbspparsley, chopped2 tbspoil or butter (for frying)
  • 1small onion, finely chopped1clove garlic, minced1large egg1slice stale white bread (or1/2 cupbreadcrumbs)1/4 cupmilk1 tspmustard (Dijon or yellow)1 tspsalt1/2 tspblack pepper1/2 tsppaprika1/2 tspground marjoram (optional)1 tbspparsley, chopped2 tbspoil or butter (for frying)
  • 1clove garlic, minced1large egg1slice stale white bread (or1/2 cupbreadcrumbs)1/4 cupmilk1 tspmustard (Dijon or yellow)1 tspsalt1/2 tspblack pepper1/2 tsppaprika1/2 tspground marjoram (optional)1 tbspparsley, chopped2 tbspoil or butter (for frying)
  • 1large egg1slice stale white bread (or1/2 cupbreadcrumbs)1/4 cupmilk1 tspmustard (Dijon or yellow)1 tspsalt1/2 tspblack pepper1/2 tsppaprika1/2 tspground marjoram (optional)1 tbspparsley, chopped2 tbspoil or butter (for frying)
  • 1slice stale white bread (or1/2 cupbreadcrumbs)1/4 cupmilk1 tspmustard (Dijon or yellow)1 tspsalt1/2 tspblack pepper1/2 tsppaprika1/2 tspground marjoram (optional)1 tbspparsley, chopped2 tbspoil or butter (for frying)
  • 1/4 cupmilk1 tspmustard (Dijon or yellow)1 tspsalt1/2 tspblack pepper1/2 tsppaprika1/2 tspground marjoram (optional)1 tbspparsley, chopped2 tbspoil or butter (for frying)
  • 1 tspmustard (Dijon or yellow)1 tspsalt1/2 tspblack pepper1/2 tsppaprika1/2 tspground marjoram (optional)1 tbspparsley, chopped2 tbspoil or butter (for frying)
  • 1 tspsalt1/2 tspblack pepper1/2 tsppaprika1/2 tspground marjoram (optional)1 tbspparsley, chopped2 tbspoil or butter (for frying)
  • 1/2 tspblack pepper1/2 tsppaprika1/2 tspground marjoram (optional)1 tbspparsley, chopped2 tbspoil or butter (for frying)
  • 1/2 tsppaprika1/2 tspground marjoram (optional)1 tbspparsley, chopped2 tbspoil or butter (for frying)
  • 1/2 tspground marjoram (optional)1 tbspparsley, chopped2 tbspoil or butter (for frying)
  • 1 tbspparsley, chopped2 tbspoil or butter (for frying)
  • 2 tbspoil or butter (for frying)

Instructions

  1. 1️⃣Prepare the Bread Mixture:
  2. Soak the slice of stale bread in milk for about 5 minutes, then squeeze out the excess milk and crumble the bread into small pieces. Set aside.2️⃣Combine the Ingredients:In a large mixing bowl, add the ground meat, soaked bread, onion, garlic, egg, mustard, salt, pepper, paprika, marjoram (if using), and parsley.Mix until just combined. Avoid overmixing to ensure the patties remain tender.3️⃣Shape the Frikadellen:Divide the meat mixture into 4-6 equal portions.Shape each portion into a flat, oval-shaped patty about 1/2-inch thick.4️⃣Cook the Frikadellen:Heat oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat.Place the patties in the skillet and fry for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 160°F/71°C).5️⃣Serve:Serve the Frikadellen warm with sides such as potato salad, mashed potatoes, sauerkraut, or crusty bread.
  3. 2️⃣Combine the Ingredients:In a large mixing bowl, add the ground meat, soaked bread, onion, garlic, egg, mustard, salt, pepper, paprika, marjoram (if using), and parsley.Mix until just combined. Avoid overmixing to ensure the patties remain tender.3️⃣Shape the Frikadellen:Divide the meat mixture into 4-6 equal portions.Shape each portion into a flat, oval-shaped patty about 1/2-inch thick.4️⃣Cook the Frikadellen:Heat oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat.Place the patties in the skillet and fry for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 160°F/71°C).5️⃣Serve:Serve the Frikadellen warm with sides such as potato salad, mashed potatoes, sauerkraut, or crusty bread.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, add the ground meat, soaked bread, onion, garlic, egg, mustard, salt, pepper, paprika, marjoram (if using), and parsley.
  5. Mix until just combined. Avoid overmixing to ensure the patties remain tender.3️⃣Shape the Frikadellen:Divide the meat mixture into 4-6 equal portions.Shape each portion into a flat, oval-shaped patty about 1/2-inch thick.4️⃣Cook the Frikadellen:Heat oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat.Place the patties in the skillet and fry for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 160°F/71°C).5️⃣Serve:Serve the Frikadellen warm with sides such as potato salad, mashed potatoes, sauerkraut, or crusty bread.
  6. 3️⃣Shape the Frikadellen:Divide the meat mixture into 4-6 equal portions.Shape each portion into a flat, oval-shaped patty about 1/2-inch thick.4️⃣Cook the Frikadellen:Heat oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat.Place the patties in the skillet and fry for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 160°F/71°C).5️⃣Serve:Serve the Frikadellen warm with sides such as potato salad, mashed potatoes, sauerkraut, or crusty bread.
  7. Divide the meat mixture into 4-6 equal portions.
  8. Shape each portion into a flat, oval-shaped patty about 1/2-inch thick.4️⃣Cook the Frikadellen:Heat oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat.Place the patties in the skillet and fry for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 160°F/71°C).5️⃣Serve:Serve the Frikadellen warm with sides such as potato salad, mashed potatoes, sauerkraut, or crusty bread.
  9. 4️⃣Cook the Frikadellen:Heat oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat.Place the patties in the skillet and fry for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 160°F/71°C).5️⃣Serve:Serve the Frikadellen warm with sides such as potato salad, mashed potatoes, sauerkraut, or crusty bread.
  10. Heat oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
  11. Place the patties in the skillet and fry for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 160°F/71°C).5️⃣Serve:Serve the Frikadellen warm with sides such as potato salad, mashed potatoes, sauerkraut, or crusty bread.
  12. 5️⃣Serve:Serve the Frikadellen warm with sides such as potato salad, mashed potatoes, sauerkraut, or crusty bread.
  13. Serve the Frikadellen warm with sides such as potato salad, mashed potatoes, sauerkraut, or crusty bread.

Notes

Bread Substitute:If using breadcrumbs, skip the milk step and add them directly to the meat mixture.Flavor Boost:For an authentic touch, add a pinch of nutmeg to the mixture.Make-Ahead:Shape the patties ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking.
Flavor Boost:For an authentic touch, add a pinch of nutmeg to the mixture.Make-Ahead:Shape the patties ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking.
Make-Ahead:Shape the patties ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking.

  • Author: Chef Stella