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    Home » Recipes » German Main Dish Recipes

    German Hamburger Meat Patties - Frikadellen

    Published: Feb 8, 2018 · Modified: Oct 3, 2022 by Angela Schofield · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This easy recipe shows you how to make Hamburger patties, or Frikadellen as they are known in Germany. The tasty meatballs are a popular lunch, dinner, or snack in every German Gasthaus and on the family menu. You'll find them in rolls, with potato salad, french fries, and mashed potatoes, or with a variety of other sides.

    They go by different names depending on where you are. In the south, they are known as Fleischküchle or Fleischpflanzerl, while in the north, they are known as Frikadellen or Klopse. Whatever you call them, they are very flavorful and can be eaten both warm and cold.

    German hamburger with potato salad on a white plate on a blue-white tablecloth.

    If you love German Frikadellen you should try also this recipe for German meatloaf. It has a similar flavor to these German meatballs but can be easily prepared for a large group dinner in no time because each meatball does not need to be shaped individually.

    Jump to:
    • Cultural Background
    • Ingredients & Substitutes
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Video Tutorial
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Top Tip
    • How to Serve
    • Recipe
    • Frequently Asked Questions

    Cultural Background

    Frikadellen are one of Germany´s most popular snack at the so called “Imbissbuden” which are old school fast food shacks. Every butcher serves them hot in a roll for a quick lunch but it will also be served regularly at German family meals and in German restaurants.

    Frikadellen Imbiss shack in Berlin in the 50ties.

    It is unclear who invented the German meatball aka meat patty. But it is known, that the Romans used a similar recipe for their “Lucan Sausages”.

    Along with having many different names, the meatball also has many different recipes. While frikadellen used to be made mostly out of leftover meat, today freshly ground meat is the main ingredient.

    How are German hamburgers called in German?

    German meatballs have many names, that are very different depending on the region. In Bavaria they are called “Fleischpflanzerl”, in Swabia and Franconia it is referred to as “Fleischküchle” or “Fleischküchla”. The people of Berlin call the flat pressed meatball “Bulette”, while other parts of Germany call it “Klops” or “Frikadelle”.

    Frikadellen Pronounciation in German

    Die Frikadelle (sing./f) or die Frikadellen (plural/f).

    Listen to this audio file to hear how to say "Frikadellen" the right way.

    Click the play button to listen to the audio file.

    Ingredients & Substitutes

    This dish may appear to have a lot of ingredients, but many of them are spices.
    And you probably already have the majority of the ingredients on hand.

    Frikadellen ingredients: ground beef, onion, marjoram, salt, pepper, egg, milk, bread crumbs, paprika powder, yellow mustard, clarified butter, white bread, garlic.
    • ground beef - to make juicy beef patties, I usually use 80/20 ground beef. Frikadellen are traditionally made with 50% ground beef and 50% ground pork. You can also choose leaner beef or ground poultry meat, such as turkey or chicken.
    • onion - finely chopped onions give these meatballs a wonderful flavor. If you don't like the onion pieces in your meat, you can use onion powder to taste instead.
    • white bread - the bread helps to make the frikadellen light and juicy. It is the perfect way to use up a stale roll or a piece of white bread.
    • warm water - the stale bread is hydrated in water, but you can use milk instead.
    • egg - is an important ingredient to keep the frikadellen in shape.
    • coarse Kosher salt - I prefer coarse Kosher salt, but you can use whatever salt you have on hand.
    • black pepper - for this dish, coarse black pepper is my favorite, but use whatever pepper you prefer.
    • mustard - yellow mustard is traditionally used, but you could also use a spicy or sweet German mustard if you like to alter the flavor.
    • garlic paste - I personally love a hint of garlic and use my convenient homemade garlic paste. But you can use garlic powder or fresh garlic instead. And of course, you can leave it out completely if you don't like it.
    • paprika powder - this recipe calls for paprika powder. In Germany you can find both mild and spicy paprika powder. Both work well. Choose what you prefer. I would not recommend smoked paprika as it will alter the taste. But if you love it, just go for it.
    • bread crumbs - plain, unseasoned bread crumbs work best for this recipe.
    • clarified butter - Clarified butter is my personal favorite for frying frikadellen. Lard or a neutral vegetable oil are also excellent options.

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Making authentic German Frikadellen is a straightforward process. It's so simple that even little helpers can join in on the fun and learn how to make this German recipe from scratch.

    Frikadellen recipe step 1: pieces of white bread soaked in water.

    Break the bread or roll into small pieces, place them into a bowl and cover with warm water.

    Frikadellen recipe step 2: ground beef, onion cubes, egg, garlic paste, salt, pepper, mustard, and paprika powder in a yellow bowl.

    Finely chop the onion. Add them with the ground meat, bread crumbs, egg, pepper, salt, paprika powder, mustard, and garlic paste to a large mixing bowl.

    Frikadellen recipe step 3: mixing ground mear with bread crumbs for German hamburger in a yellow bowl.

    Squeeze the excess water from the bread and add it to the other ingredients in the bowl. Mix well with your hands until everything is well combined into a smooth texture.

    Frikadellen recipe step 4: German hamburger patties on a white plate.

    Shape the meat mixture into 8 balls and lightly flatten them. Addd more bread crumbs if the dough is too wet to shape the frikadellen.

    Frikadellen recipe step 5: melting clarified butter in a small non-stick pan.

    Heat the clarified butter over medium-high heat in a large non-stick pan.

    Frikadellen recipe step 6: frying German hamburger in clarified butter in a small pan.

    Fry the patties for 5 to 10 minutes on each side, until golden brown.

    Hint: Make sure the Frikadellen are fully cooked, but don't overcook them or they will become hard and dry.

    Video Tutorial

    Variations

    Traditionally German hamburger are made with ground beef or mixed ground beef and pork. You can also find variations with veal, fish, game or poultry.

    If you prefer a leaner version, try this recipe with ground chicken or turkey. This version of the German hamburger is also delicious. Because ground poultry meat requires more spices to be flavorful, adjust the seasoning as needed.

    German hamburger Frikadellen on a white plate with Swabian potato salad.

    Equipment

    These kitchen tools are required to make this recipe.

    • large bowl to mix the meat
    • small bowl to soak the stale rolls
    • cutting board and knife to cube the onion
    • large pan to fry the hamburger
    • two forks or a spatula to turn the meatballs

    Storage

    Leftover Frikadellen can be kept in the refrigerator for several days. They also freeze extremely well. I usually double the recipe and freeze half of the fully cooked patties. This is the perfect dinner if you are not in the mood to cook and is a way cheaper and better alternative to fast food.

    Top Tip

    Skewer tiny frikadellen with a cornichon pickle, a small mozzarella ball or a cherry tomato as finger food. The ideal snack for a game day or an appetizer.

    How to Serve

    Frikadellen are served in a variety of ways. The German meat patties are frequently eaten as fast food in a crispy roll, similar to a hamburger. However, Germans eat Frikadellen also cold, cut into slices and served on a slice of fresh bread with mustard.

    They are also served as a main course at lunch and dinner. Served with mashed potatoes, potato salad, french fries, fried potatoes, and a side of vegetables or a salad.

    If you like to include a gravy to this dish, try this traditional German cream sauce, called Rahmsauce.

    Recipe

    Frikadellen with German potato salad on a white plate.

    German Meatballs aka German Hamburger

    Angela Schofield
    These tasty German hamburger patties that are the ultimate German comfort food and can be eaten in a variety of ways.
    4.67 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Share on Facebook Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Entrees, Snacks
    Cuisine German
    Servings 8 German Burgers
    Calories 275 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ pounds ground beef
    • ½ medium onion
    • 2 slices stale white bread or 1 stale roll
    • ½ cup warm water
    • 1 egg
    • 1 tbsp. coarse Kosher salt
    • ½ tsp. coarse black pepper
    • 1 tbsp. mustard
    • 1 tsp. garlic paste
    • 1 tsp. paprika powder
    • ¼ cup bread crumbs more if necessary
    • 1 tbsp. clarified butter or 1 tbsp. vegetable oil or 1 tbsp. lard

    Instructions
     

    • Break the bread into small pieces, place them into a bowl and cover with warm water.
    • Cube the onion finely.
    • To large bowl add the ground meat, bread crumbs, the egg, pepper, salt, paprika powder, mustard, garlic paste, and onions.
    • Squeeze excess water from the bread and add it to the other ingredients. Discard the water.
    • Mix everything until well combined and smooth. Shape the meat mixture into 8 balls and flatten them lightly.
    • Heat clarified butter on medium-high heat. Fry the patties for about 5 - 10 minutes per side, until golden brown.

    Nutrition

    Yield: 1FrikadelleCalories: 275kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 17gFat: 20gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gNet Carbohydrates: 6g
    Keyword easy, fast
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What are Frikadellen made from?

    Frikadellen are traditionally made with 50% ground beef and 50% ground pork. However, there are now many other varieties made entirely of beef, as well as ground turkey or chicken.

    More German Main Dish Recipes

    • Crock Pot Pork & Sauerkraut - Easy Pork Belly Sauerkraut Recipe
    • Gulasch Austrian Beef Goulash Vienna Style
    • Schnitzel and Spaetzle - The Ultimate German Comfort Food
    • Chicken Doner - Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Debbie says

      October 09, 2022 at 8:46 am

      5 stars
      My parents are from Thüringen, and these are called Fleischklöschen in that region. I make these for my kids all the time!
      Thank you for sharing your recipe.

      Reply
      • Angela Schofield says

        October 09, 2022 at 2:42 pm

        Thank you so nuch for visiting. People in the Thüringen area call them Klopse. Fleischklösschen are usally served in a sauce. But the meat mixture is basically the same. A lot of times names for the dish also depend on the family history.

        Reply

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    Guten Tag, I'm Angela,
    Herzlich willkommen! I'm glad you've stopped by.

    It is a joy to share with you some of my all-time favorite authentic German recipes and tell you a little bit about the cultural background of my home country, Germany.

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