Juicy German Frikadellen

Category: Sophisticated Dinners Ready in 45 Minutes or Less

Quick pan-fried beef patties blended with onions and herbs. Ready in 25 minutes and pairs well with bread or a potato side. Makes about 4-6.
A woman in a white chef's coat smiles for the camera.
Created By Mia Laurent
Updated on Tue, 18 Mar 2025 23:42:01 GMT
Juicy German Frikadellen (Golden Pan-Fried Beef Patties) Pin
Juicy German Frikadellen (Golden Pan-Fried Beef Patties) | chefmiarecipes.com
Traditional German Frikadellen bring homestyle comfort straight from Deutschland to your dinner table. These succulent meat rounds mix wonderfully seasoned ground meat with bread that's been dunked in milk, making them way softer than your average burger. Mixing beef with pork, plus adding chopped parsley and cooked onions, packs each bite with rich, mouthwatering goodness. I've whipped these up so many times, and I've learned that giving the mixture a half-hour rest before you shape it really lets all those flavors get friendly with each other.

Essential Ingredients

Meat combo: Half beef, half pork gives you just the right fat and taste balanceStale bread: Works much better than store-bought crumbsFresh parsley: Gives a nice pop of color and true flavorYellow onion: Needs to be chopped tiny so it spreads throughoutGerman mustard: Adds a light zingy kick and complexityWhole milk: Creates that fall-apart tender, juicy texture

Crafting Delicious Frikadellen

Start With Bread: Dunk bread in milk until it turns mushyBlend Your Meats: Mix ground meats with the soggy bread and spicesAdd Flavor Boosts: Stir in mustard, herbs, and seasonings for tasteMold Your Patties: Form oval shapes with slightly damp handsCook Them Up: Fry until they're golden on each sideGive Them Time: Let patties sit a bit before you dig in
Authentic German Frikadellen (German Hamburgers) Pin
Authentic German Frikadellen (German Hamburgers) | chefmiarecipes.com
When I was little, my grandma always cooked extra Frikadellen for sandwiches the following day. They actually taste even better after sitting overnight, so they're great for planning meals ahead.

Tasty Side Dishes

Make your meal complete by adding some classic German potato salad, tangy pickled veggies, or a chunk of hearty rye bread. For something more current, put them on soft brioche rolls topped with slowly cooked onions.

Tasty Twists

Make them your own by tossing in some shredded apple for sweetness, sprinkling in some crushed caraway, or mixing in finely diced mushrooms for extra savory flavor.

Storage Tips

Raw patties can stay in your fridge for a day if they're wrapped up. After cooking, keep your Frikadellen in a sealed container and warm them up slowly in a pan with a little splash of stock.
After making Frikadellen at home and in restaurant kitchens, I've noticed that taking your time really matters - don't rush any steps if you want that authentic German taste that makes folks come back for seconds.
Easy Authentic German Frikadellen Recipe (German Hamburgers) Pin
Easy Authentic German Frikadellen Recipe (German Hamburgers) | chefmiarecipes.com

Common Recipe Questions

→ Can you prep Frikadellen in advance?
Sure, make them a day early, store in the fridge, and reheat in a pan. They even taste great cold for sandwiches!
→ What meat mix works best?
Traditionally, a mix of beef and pork is used, but all-beef tastes just as good.
→ Why use milk-soaked bread?
It makes the patties softer and prevents them from drying out as they cook.
→ What sides pair well with these?
Mashed or potato salad, thick bread slices, or even a crisp green salad are tasty options.
→ Can these patties be frozen?
Definitely, store them raw or cooked for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight before reheating or cooking.

German Beef Patties

Juicy and seasoned ground beef patties with a golden crust. Great for dinner, snacks, or a sandwich filling.

Prep Time
10 minutes
Cooking Time
15 minutes
Total Duration
25 minutes
Created By: Mia Laurent

Recipe Category: Weeknight Elegance

Skill Level: Moderately Challenging

Recipe Cuisine: German

Recipe Yield: 6 Number of Servings (4–6 patties)

Dietary Categories: ~

Ingredients You’ll Need

→ Meat & Basics

01 450g (1 lb) of a beef-pork blend or just beef, ground up
02 1 small onion diced into tiny bits
03 1 minced garlic clove
04 1 whole egg

→ Breading

05 A slice of stale bread
06 60ml (1/4 cup) milk

→ Seasonings

07 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
08 1 tsp of mustard (yellow or Dijon)
09 1/2 tsp black pepper
10 1 tsp salt
11 1/2 tsp paprika
12 1/2 tsp marjoram (optional)

→ For Cooking

13 2 tbsp butter or oil

Steps to Make It

Step 01

Soak the bread in milk for about 5 minutes. Then squeeze out the extra liquid and break it into crumbs.

Step 02

Put the ground meat, crumbled bread, onion, garlic, egg, mustard, and all the spices into a bowl. Mix gently but don't go overboard or the patties will feel dense.

Step 03

Take the mixture and divide it into 4 to 6 bits. Mold each into an oval shape about a half-inch thick.

Step 04

Heat butter or oil over medium heat in a big pan. Cook the patties for 4–5 minutes on each side until nice and golden, and the inside hits 71°C (160°F).

Extra Information

  1. A pinch of nutmeg or cayenne can kick the flavor up a notch.
  2. Chilled leftovers make awesome sandwiches with pickles or mustard.
  3. You can bake these at 190°C (375°F) for 25 mins, flipping halfway.

Essential Tools

  • A big mixing bowl
  • A large frying pan
  • Optional: meat thermometer

Allergen Details

Review every item for allergen risks. Reach out to a healthcare expert for any concerns.
  • Has gluten (from the bread)
  • Includes dairy (milk)
  • Contains egg

Nutritional Details (Per Serving)

These figures are for general reference and shouldn’t replace expert medical guidance.
  • Caloric Content: 210
  • Fat Content: 14 grams
  • Carbohydrate Content: 3 grams
  • Protein Content: 18 grams