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Authentic German Frikadellen Recipe

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These authentic German Frikadellen are juicy, pan‑fried meat patties with a crispy crust and soft, tender inside — a comforting classic straight from German home kitchens. Perfect warm with potatoes or cold in a sandwich.

Ingredients

  • 500 g ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
  • 1 slice day‑old white bread or roll, soaked in water or milk and squeezed dry
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon German mustard (or Dijon mustard)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground paprika (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
  • Oil or butter for frying

Instructions

  1. Soak the bread in a little water or milk for about 10 minutes. Squeeze out the excess liquid and tear it into small pieces.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, softened bread, chopped onion, egg, mustard, salt, pepper, paprika, and parsley. Mix gently with your hands until just combined — avoid overworking the mixture.
  3. Shape the mixture into palm‑sized patties, slightly flattened (about ¾ inch thick). You should get around 6–8 patties.
  4. Heat a skillet over medium heat with enough oil or butter to coat the bottom. When hot, add the patties (in batches if needed) and fry for 4–5 minutes per side, until they’re golden brown and cooked through.
  5. Remove from the pan and let rest a few minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For deeper flavor, you can sauté the onions until soft and translucent before mixing into the meat.
  • For a traditional German taste, add a tiny pinch of nutmeg to the mixture.
  • To make gluten‑free Frikadellen, substitute the bread with gluten‑free bread or use oats as the binder.
  • These patties are great sliced in a sandwich, served with mustard and rye bread, or alongside potatoes, sauerkraut, or a fresh salad.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://recipesbyliza.com/authentic-german-frikadellen-recipe/