The Best Authentic German Frikadellen Recipe for Dinner Tonight

Crafting delectable German frikadellen brings comfort straight to your dinner table.

Memories of childhood meals flood back with each savory bite.

Meat lovers appreciate these golden-brown patties that blend traditional German flavors with home-cooking warmth.

Hamburg’s culinary heritage shines through these perfectly seasoned meat medallions.

Families across Germany cherish this simple yet satisfying dish that connects generations.

Each ingredient tells a story of rich culinary traditions passed down through time.

You’ll want to gather your skillet and embrace this classic recipe that promises deliciousness in every mouthful.

Authentic German Frikadellen Highlights To Savor

Savor German Comfort: Dive into Frikadellen Magic

• Craft Culinary Heritage: Recreate a traditional German dish that brings authentic flavors straight to your kitchen, connecting you with rich cultural cooking traditions.
• Master Quick Cooking: Prepare delicious meat patties in mere minutes with simple ingredients and straightforward techniques, perfect for busy home cooks seeking satisfying meals.
• Family-Friendly Feast: Create a crowd-pleasing protein that appeals to both kids and adults, offering a versatile main dish that pairs beautifully with classic German side dishes.
• Simple Ingredient Alchemy: Transform basic pantry staples like ground meat, bread, and spices into a delectable meal that feels like a gourmet experience without complicated preparation.

Ingredients Needed To Make Authentic German Frikadellen

• Ground Meat: A flavorful base that provides the primary texture and protein for the Frikadellen.
• Stale Bread Slice: Adds moisture and helps bind the meat mixture together for a tender result.
• Egg: Serves as a crucial binding agent to hold the meat patties together.

• Onion, Garlic: These ingredients add depth and traditional German flavor to the meat mixture.
• Mustard: Provides a tangy and sharp undertone to the Frikadellen.
• Parsley, Marjoram: Fresh herbs that contribute a bright and aromatic element to the dish.

• Salt, Pepper, Paprika: Essential spices that balance and enhance the overall taste of the Frikadellen.

• Oil, Butter: Used for frying the meat patties to achieve a golden brown and crispy exterior.
• Milk: Helps soften the bread and contributes to the moisture of the meat mixture.

Step-by-Step Instructions For German Frikadellen

Step 1: Soak and Prepare Bread

Grab a slice of day-old bread and immerse it completely in milk. Let it sit for a few minutes until it becomes soft and soggy.

Gently squeeze out the excess liquid and break the bread into tiny crumbles. Set the bread mixture aside for later use.

Step 2: Create Flavor-Packed Mixture

• Ground meat
• Crumbled milk-soaked bread
• Finely chopped onion
• Minced garlic
• Egg
• Mustard
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Paprika
• Marjoram (optional)
• Fresh parsley

Blend these ingredients delicately, ensuring they’re just mixed. Avoid overworking the mixture to maintain a tender texture.

Step 3: Shape Perfect Patties

Divide the meat mixture into 4-6 equal portions. Mold each portion into an oval-shaped patty, approximately half an inch thick.

Smooth out the edges and compress the patties to help them hold together during cooking.

Step 4: Sizzle and Cook

Heat oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat.

Carefully place the patties in the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side. Look for a golden-brown exterior and ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) for safe consumption.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Plate these mouthwatering German meat patties alongside classic accompaniments like potato salad, creamy mashed potatoes, or crusty bread. Savor the rich, traditional flavors of this authentic German dish.

Expert Tips To Master Authentic German Frikadellen

• Use a mix of ground beef and pork for juicier, more flavorful frikadellen that stay moist and tender during cooking.
• Thoroughly squeeze out milk from bread to avoid soggy mixture, ensuring perfect texture and binding of ingredients.
• Handle meat mixture lightly and minimally to keep frikadellen soft and prevent tough, dense patties.
• Cook on medium heat to achieve golden-brown exterior without burning, allowing even cooking through the center.
• Let cooked frikadellen rest for a few minutes after frying to help retain internal juices and enhance overall flavor.

Creative Variations To Upgrade German Frikadellen

• Vegetarian Patties: Replace ground meat with lentils, black beans, or mushrooms mixed with breadcrumbs for a plant-based version.
• Low-Carb Option: Swap bread with almond flour or crushed pork rinds to reduce carbohydrate content and maintain texture.
• Spicy Mediterranean Adaptation: Add feta cheese, oregano, and red pepper flakes for a zesty Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Alternative: Use gluten-free bread or replace bread with mashed cauliflower and almond flour to accommodate gluten sensitivities.

Ideal Pairings For Authentic German Frikadellen Serving

• Match Frikadellen with a crisp, hoppy German pilsner or wheat beer like Weihenstephaner or Paulaner to complement the meat's rich flavors and cut through its richness.
• Serve alongside creamy potato salad dressed with tangy mustard vinaigrette or smooth mashed potatoes, creating a classic German comfort food experience that balances the savory meat patties.
• Top Frikadellen with spicy brown mustard or homemade cucumber relish to enhance the meat's herbal notes and add a bright, tangy contrast to the hearty protein.

Storage Techniques To Preserve German Frikadellen Quality

• Store leftover Frikadellen in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring they're covered to prevent drying out.
• Wrap individual Frikadellen tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label with the date to track freshness.
• Place Frikadellen on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking temperature to prevent overcooking.

FAQs

• What are Frikadellen in German cuisine?

Frikadellen are traditional German meat patties similar to hamburgers, made with ground meat, bread, and spices, typically served as a popular comfort food in homes and restaurants across Germany.

• Can I use different types of meat for Frikadellen?

Yes, while traditional recipes use ground beef or a mix of beef and pork, you can experiment with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version. The key is maintaining the right fat content for juicy patties.

• Why do I need to soak bread in milk for this recipe?

Soaking bread in milk helps create a moist, tender texture in the meat patties. The bread acts as a binding agent and adds softness, preventing the Frikadellen from becoming dry or tough during cooking.

Authentic German Frikadellen Recipe

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4.6 from 23 reviews

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

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Description

German Frikadellen bring hearty Hamburg street food magic to home kitchens with juicy, pan-fried meat patties. Crispy outside and tender within, these classic meatballs deliver pure comfort on a plate you’ll savor bite after satisfying bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 lb (900g) ground beef

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped

Binding and Seasoning:

• 1 egg
• 1 slice stale white bread (or 1/2 cup breadcrumbs)
• 1/4 cup milk
• 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)

Cooking Fat:

• 2 tablespoons oil or butter

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Instructions

1. Immerse the stale bread slice in milk for 5 minutes until thoroughly softened, then gently squeeze out excess liquid and crumble into delicate fragments.
2. In a spacious mixing vessel, amalgamate ground meat with bread crumbles, finely diced onions, crushed garlic, egg, tangy mustard, aromatic seasonings, and fresh herbs. Blend ingredients with a delicate touch to maintain meat’s tenderness.
3. Partition the seasoned meat mixture into 4-6 uniform portions, sculpting each into smooth, compact oval patties approximately 1/2-inch thick with carefully smoothed edges.
4. Warm a substantial skillet over medium heat, introducing oil or butter to create a golden cooking surface. Carefully position patties in the pan, allowing each side to sizzle for 4-5 minutes until achieving a rich amber exterior and reaching a safe internal temperature of 160°F/71°C.
5. Present the sizzling Frikadellen alongside traditional accompaniments like velvety potato salad, creamy mashed potatoes, or rustic crusty bread, delivering an authentic culinary experience reminiscent of German home cooking.

Notes

• Prevent Tough Texture by gently mixing ingredients and avoiding excessive handling of the meat mixture to maintain a soft, tender consistency.
• Enhance Flavor Depth by using day-old bread soaked in milk, which adds moisture and creates a more complex taste profile compared to fresh bread.
• Customize Diet Options by substituting ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for lighter or vegetarian versions of Frikadellen.
• Achieve Perfect Browning through medium heat and avoiding overcrowding the pan, ensuring each patty develops a delicious golden-brown crust without burning.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 420 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg