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Authentic German Frikadellen Recipe (German Hamburgers)

Authentic German Frikadellen Recipe (German Hamburgers)


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4.6 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Juicy German Frikadellen spark culinary magic, bringing Berlin street food charm to home kitchens. Crispy outside, tender inside, these classic hamburgers invite you to savor Germany’s hearty comfort cuisine with each delicious bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Meat:

  • 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef

Binding and Flavor Enhancers:

  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Aromatics and Herbs:

  • 1 small onion (finely chopped)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika (optional)

Cooking Ingredient:

  • Vegetable oil (for frying)

Instructions

  1. Caramelize finely chopped onions in a skillet with vegetable oil over medium heat for approximately 5 minutes until translucent and softened, creating a sweet aromatic base for the meat mixture.
  2. Allow the sauteed onions to cool slightly, preventing them from cooking the raw egg when combined with other ingredients.
  3. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly blend ground beef with breadcrumbs, beaten egg, cooled onions, Dijon mustard, fresh parsley, salt, pepper, and optional paprika until ingredients are evenly distributed.
  4. Gently form the meat mixture into uniform oval-shaped patties, approximately 3/4 inch thick, ensuring consistent cooking and attractive presentation.
  5. Warm vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat, creating an ideal searing temperature around 350°F.
  6. Carefully place patties into the hot skillet, allowing each side to develop a golden-brown crust for 5-7 minutes, ensuring internal temperature reaches 160°F for food safety.
  7. Transfer cooked frikadellen onto paper towels to absorb excess oil, preserving their crispy exterior and juicy interior.
  8. Serve immediately while hot, accompanied by traditional German side dishes like potato salad or fresh green salad.

Notes

  • Ensure onions are finely chopped and cooled to prevent making the meat mixture watery and losing flavor intensity.
  • Use lean ground beef with 80/20 fat content for juiciest, most flavorful frikadellen that won’t dry out during cooking.
  • Season patties generously and taste a small test piece by cooking a tiny amount to adjust salt and spice levels before forming entire batch.
  • Consider gluten-free alternative by replacing breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs for those with dietary restrictions.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: German

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 315 kcal
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 350 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 8 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 22 g
  • Cholesterol: 110 mg