Description
Authentic German Frikadellen are traditional pan-fried meat patties made from a combination of ground beef and pork, flavored with onions, garlic, and aromatic spices. These juicy and flavorful patties are soft on the inside with a golden, crispy crust and are perfect served with potato salad, sauerkraut, or crusty bread for a comforting German meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 500 g ground beef
- 200 g ground pork
Binding Ingredients
- 1 day-old bread roll or 2 slices white bread
- 100 ml milk
- 1 egg
- 4-5 tablespoons breadcrumbs
Flavorings and Seasonings
- 1 medium-sized onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Cooking
- 2-3 tablespoons vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Soak the Bread: Soak the day-old bread roll or white bread in milk until it softens completely. Then drain it well and squeeze out any excess milk to avoid a soggy mixture.
- Combine Meats: In a large mixing bowl, place the ground beef and ground pork together.
- Add Ingredients: To the bowl with the meat, add the soaked bread, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, mustard, salt, black pepper, paprika, dried marjoram (if using), and chopped parsley.
- Mix Thoroughly: Using clean hands, mix all the ingredients thoroughly until the mixture is well combined and homogeneous.
- Add Breadcrumbs: Gradually incorporate breadcrumbs into the meat mixture, mixing as you go, until you reach a consistency firm enough to shape patties without them falling apart.
- Shape Patties: Form the mixture into palm-sized patties around 2 cm thick, ensuring they are evenly shaped for uniform cooking.
- Heat Oil: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot but not smoking.
- Cook Patties: Place the patties carefully in the skillet, cooking them in batches so the pan is not overcrowded. Fry for about 5 to 6 minutes on each side until the patties develop a golden brown crust and are cooked through internally.
- Drain Excess Oil: Once cooked, remove the patties from the skillet and place them on paper towels to drain any excess oil.
- Serve: Serve the Frikadellen hot with traditional sides like potato salad, sauerkraut, or fresh crusty bread to enjoy a classic German dish.
Notes
- Using day-old bread helps absorb moisture better and keeps the patties tender.
- Do not overcrowd the pan while frying to ensure even cooking and a crispy crust.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and pepper, before forming patties.
- For a more intense flavor, the patties can be refrigerated for 30 minutes before cooking.
- To make a lighter version, you can bake the patties at 200°C (390°F) for 20-25 minutes instead of frying.
