Description
Hearty German frikadellen celebrate classic Hamburg street fare with juicy seasoned meat patties. Crisp pan-fried edges and savory herbs create a satisfying meal you’ll crave for comfort and simplicity.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Main Components:
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef, or a mix of ground beef and pork
- 1 large egg
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Bread & Dairy:
- 1 slice stale white bread
- 1/4 cup milk
Seasonings & Herbs:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Dijon or yellow mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon ground marjoram (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Cooking:
- 2 tablespoons oil or butter for frying
Instructions
- Saturate a stale bread slice in milk for 5 minutes, ensuring it becomes thoroughly softened. Gently squeeze out excess liquid and crumble into fine fragments, which will contribute to the meat’s moisture and texture.
- Transfer crumbled bread into a spacious mixing vessel. Incorporate ground meat, finely diced onions, crushed garlic, egg, mustard, and comprehensive seasonings. Blend ingredients with delicate movements, avoiding excessive manipulation to maintain tenderness.
- Partition meat mixture into 4-6 uniform segments. Craft each portion into elongated, slightly flattened oval shapes approximately half-inch thick, resembling rustic hamburger-style patties.
- Warm skillet with oil or butter over medium heat (around 350°F). Carefully position patties into heated pan, allowing each side to caramelize for 4-5 minutes until achieving a rich golden-brown exterior and reaching 160°F internal temperature.
- Transfer freshly cooked Frikadellen onto serving platter. Accompany with traditional German side dishes like robust potato salad, creamy mashed potatoes, or crusty artisan bread for an authentic culinary experience.
Notes
- Use slightly stale bread for the best texture, as it absorbs milk more effectively and creates a more tender meat mixture.
- Avoid overmixing the meat to prevent tough, dense Frikadellen; gently combine ingredients just until they’re incorporated.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the bread with gluten-free breadcrumbs or mashed potato to maintain moisture and binding.
- Experiment with different meat combinations like half beef and half pork for a richer, more complex flavor profile that adds depth to the traditional recipe.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 80mg