The Best Authentic German Frikadellen Recipe: A Taste of Tradition

Hey, these authentic German frikadellen dance between comfort food and culinary tradition.

Meat lovers appreciate how these hearty patties became a staple across German households.

Juicy ground beef mingles with aromatic onions and herbs to create something special.

Generations have passed down this simple yet delicious recipe through family kitchens.

Personal touches make each frikadellen unique, blending tradition with individual creativity.

Hamburg-style or Berlin-inspired, these hamburgers carry regional character in every bite.

You might wonder how such simple ingredients create such remarkable flavor.

Let these classic German patties inspire your next delicious meal adventure.

German Frikadellen That Deliver True Homemade Flavor

• Quick Family Feast: Easily whip up delicious German hamburgers that bring comfort and tradition to your dinner table.
• Minimal Prep Magic: Prepare these mouthwatering patties in just 20 minutes using simple pantry ingredients and basic cooking skills.
• Budget-Friendly Delight: Create restaurant-quality German Frikadellen with affordable ground meat and everyday spices that won't break the bank.
• Versatile Meal Solution: Adapt these classic patties for various side dishes, making them perfect for casual weeknight dinners or weekend family gatherings.

German Hamburgers (Frikadellen) Ingredients

• Ground Beef, Ground Pork: A classic German combination for juicy and flavorful hamburgers, with beef adding rich taste and pork providing tenderness.

Notes: Choose meat with moderate fat content (around 20%) for best texture.

• Bread, Milk: Helps create a soft texture and prevents dry hamburgers, traditional German technique for moist meat patties.
• Egg: Acts as a binding agent to hold the meat mixture together.

• Onion, Garlic: Provides depth and aromatic base for the traditional German flavor profile.
• Mustard: Adds tangy sharpness and typical German condiment touch.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for balanced taste.
• Marjoram, Parsley: Classic German herbs that contribute authentic herbal notes.
• Paprika: Offers subtle warmth and color to the meat mixture.

• Oil, Butter: Helps create golden brown exterior and prevents sticking during frying.

German Hamburgers Frying Directions

Step 1: Soften Bread Base

Drop stale bread slice into milk and let it soak for several minutes.

Gently squeeze out extra liquid and crumble bread into tiny fragments.

This technique helps create a moist and tender meat patty.

Step 2: Blend Tasty Ingredients

• Ground meat
• Soaked bread crumbs
• Chopped onion
• Minced garlic
• Egg
• Mustard
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Paprika
• Marjoram
• Fresh parsley

Combine everything in a large bowl, mixing gently to maintain meat’s delicate texture.

Avoid aggressive stirring which could make patties tough.

Step 3: Shape Delectable Patties

Use hands to form mixture into oval-shaped hamburgers.

Create 4-6 uniform patties approximately half-inch thick.

Press edges smoothly to prevent crumbling during cooking.

Step 4: Brown Perfectly Crispy Frikadellen

Heat skillet with oil or butter over medium temperature.

Carefully place patties into pan, cooking 4-5 minutes per side.

Ensure golden brown exterior and fully cooked center reaching 160°F internal temperature.

Step 5: Serve Delightful German Comfort Food

Transfer hot frikadellen onto serving plate.

Accompany with traditional sides like potato salad, creamy mashed potatoes, or crusty German bread for an authentic meal experience.

Meatball Making Tips for German Frikadellen

• Use day-old or slightly stale bread for better milk absorption and a more cohesive meat mixture, preventing soggy texture.
• Gently combine ingredients just until blended to maintain a tender, juicy Frikadellen texture without becoming dense or tough.
• Let ground meat sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before mixing to ensure even cooking and better flavor integration.
• Create uniform patties using wet hands to prevent sticking and achieve smooth, professional-looking Frikadellen with clean edges.
• Use a cast-iron skillet for superior heat distribution and crispy, golden-brown exterior while keeping the inside moist and flavorful.

German Frikadellen Storage Guide

• Store leftover Frikadellen in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Warm patties over medium-low heat with a splash of oil, cooking 2-3 minutes per side to prevent drying and maintain moisture.
• Reheat on medium power for 30-45 seconds, covering with a damp paper towel to retain tenderness and prevent toughness.
• Wrap individual Frikadellen in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags, where they'll stay good for up to 2 months, perfect for quick future meals.

Great Sides for German Frikadellen

• Pair with German Pilsner: Crisp, hoppy German beer perfectly complements the savory meat patties, cutting through the richness and enhancing the traditional flavors.
• Create Creamy Side Symphony: Pair with tangy German potato salad or smooth mashed potatoes to balance the meat's robust taste and provide a classic German dining experience.
• Match with Mustard Magic: Serve with strong German mustard varieties like Düsseldorf or Bavarian sweet mustard to add a zesty, sharp contrast that elevates the Frikadellen's profile.
• Embrace Cucumber Coolness: Add a fresh cucumber salad dressed in dill and vinegar to provide a light, refreshing counterpoint to the hearty meat patties.

Authentic German Frikadellen Recipe (German Hamburgers) Cultural Versions

• Gluten-Free Frikadellen: Replace stale bread with gluten-free breadcrumbs or ground oats to create a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Substitute ground meat with plant-based ground meat alternatives like lentils, mushrooms, or Beyond Meat for a meat-free option.
• Low-Fat Mediterranean Style: Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef, add oregano and reduced feta cheese for a lighter Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Spicy Fusion Frikadellen: Incorporate grated jalapeños, cumin, and chili powder to create a spicy Mexican-inspired variation with a kick of heat.

FAQs

• What makes the bread special in this recipe?

The stale bread soaked in milk helps bind the meat mixture, adding moisture and creating a tender texture without making the frikadellen dense or heavy.

• Can I use a different type of meat?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with ground pork, turkey, or a mix of meats, but traditional German frikadellen typically use a combination of beef and pork for the best flavor.

• How do I know when the frikadellen are fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 160°F/71°C, which ensures the meat is safe to eat and prevents undercooking.

• Is it important to avoid overmixing the ingredients?

Absolutely! Overmixing can make the frikadellen tough and compact, so gently mix the ingredients just until combined to maintain a light, tender texture.

Authentic German Frikadellen Recipe (German Hamburgers) Recipe

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4.5 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savor robust German Frikadellen, a hearty Hamburg classic brimming with rich ground meat and crisp herb flavors. Perfectly pan-fried patties bring German street food comfort directly to your kitchen, inviting culinary adventurers to explore traditional German cuisine.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or a mix of ground beef and pork)

Aromatics and Binding Agents:

• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 egg
• 1 slice stale white bread (or 1/2 cup breadcrumbs)
• 1/4 cup milk

Seasonings and Herbs:

• 1 teaspoon mustard (Dijon or yellow mustard)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground marjoram (optional)
• 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped

Cooking Fat:

• 2 tablespoons oil or butter (for frying)

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Instructions

1. Transform the stale bread into a milky pulp by immersing it in milk for several minutes, then gently squeeze out the excess liquid and crumble it into fine fragments.
2. Assemble the frikadellen mixture in a spacious mixing vessel, incorporating ground meat, bread crumbs, finely diced onion, minced garlic, whisked egg, tangy mustard, aromatic herbs, and robust seasonings. Blend the components with a delicate touch, ensuring minimal manipulation to preserve the meat’s delicate texture.
3. Carefully partition the seasoned mixture into symmetrical portions, molding each into elegant, flattened oval patties approximately half an inch thick, creating uniform culinary sculptures.
4. Activate a skillet with a lustrous coating of oil or butter, establishing a medium thermal environment for cooking. Carefully nestle the patties into the heated surface, allowing them to develop a rich golden crust.
5. Monitor the frikadellen during cooking, gracefully flipping them after 4-5 minutes to ensure complete caramelization and thorough internal cooking, verifying doneness through color transformation and recommended temperature.
6. Present the sizzling german hamburgers alongside traditional accompaniments like velvety potato salad, creamy mashed potatoes, or a hearty slice of rustic bread, inviting diners to savor the authentic german culinary experience.

Notes

• Enhance meat texture by using a mix of ground beef and pork for more complex flavor depth.
• Keep patties moist by avoiding overworking the meat mixture, which can make them tough and dense.
• Achieve perfect browning by patting meat patties dry with paper towels before cooking to remove excess moisture.
• Make gluten-free version by substituting bread with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: German

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 90mg