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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Immerse the stale bread slice in milk for 5 minutes until thoroughly softened, then gently squeeze out excess liquid and crumble into delicate fragments.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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