My Frikadellen are nice and crispy on the outside and juicy, light, and fluffy on the inside. Let me show you how to make these homemade German meat patties from scratch using my special seasoning blend.
Whether you serve them for dinner or bring them to an Oktoberfest potluck, these meatballs are always a hit!
By popular demand, this reader-favorite recipe made it into my debut cookbook, German Kitchen-Classic Dishes!
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Traditional German Meat Patties
Frikadellen are German pan-fried meat patties made from ground meat, soaked bread, and seasonings. They're often referred to as "German meatballs," though they're flattened and shaped more like patties.
They're known by over 50 different names across German-speaking regions:
- Southern Germany & Austria: Fleischküchle or Fleischpflanzerl
- Northern Germany: Buletten
- Eastern Germany: Fleischklopse
Ingredients you'll need:
- Ground meat - A 50/50 mix of pork and beef is traditional. You can also use all beef or all pork, depending on your preference.
- Stale bread roll - Use a crusty roll or baguette. This helps make the Frikadellen light and fluffy.
- Egg (medium size) - For binding and structure.
- Frikadellen seasoning mix - Onion, mustard (affiliate link), salt, pepper, paprika, marjoram (affiliate link), and parsley.
How to make Frikadellen
For the detailed instructions and exact measurements, please jump to the printable recipe card
Recipe Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Soak bread roll in water. Once softened, squeeze out excess liquid. Fry sliced onion in 1 tablespoon oil until browned.
3. Shape the Meatballs: You can shape larger balls (between 7-8 cm for dinner) or make mini versions for potlucks which are 4-5 cm. Use an ice cream scoop for uniform size. Fry a small test meatball to check seasoning; adjust if needed.
Fry and Serve: Heat oil or clarified butter in a pan over medium heat. Fry meatballs 5-7 minutes per side. Don't turn too early. Avoid high heat to prevent raw centers.Drain on paper towels before serving.
Serve hot or cold
Alternative Cooking Methods
- Bake in the oven: Preheat to 200°C (392°F). Place patties on a parchment-lined tray and bake for 30-40 minutes, depending on size.
- Air fryer: Bake at 200°C (392°F) for 10 minutes, flipping once halfway through for even browning.
Tips:
- Choose the Right Meat
Use a mix of ground pork and beef for juicy, flavorful meatballs. Avoid lean meat-it makes them dry. - Use Bread and Egg for Texture
Soaked bread rolls (or breadcrumbs) and egg help bind the mix and create a soft, tender inside. - Taste Before You Commit
Fry a test meatball to check the seasoning. Adjust salt, pepper, and spices before shaping the rest. - Control the Heat
Fry over medium heat. Too hot, and they'll burn outside while staying raw inside. Test one first.
Troubleshooting
Sometimes you follow all the instructions, but your Frikadellen still don't turn out quite right. Here are some quick fixes to adjust the texture to your liking:
- My meatball mixture is too wet!
Add breadcrumbs or oats to make the mixture drier and easier to shape. - I want firmer Frikadellen.
Use more ground beef or skip the soaked bread roll for a denser texture. - I want fluffier meatballs.
Add a second soaked bread roll or mix in a little cream cheese for a lighter, softer bite.
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How to serve
You can serve the Frikadellen hot or cold. My favorite way to eat them is to dip them in some mustard (affiliate link).
Here is a list of my favorite side dishes to serve these meat patties with:
- Dips: German mustard (affiliate link), Ketchup or Curry Ketchup, Tsarsiki or Quark Dip
- Sauces: Jager Sauce (mushroom gravy) , Rahmsauce (cream sauce) Zigeuner Sauce (Paprika Sauce) or Beer Onion Gravy
- Salads - Warm Potato Salad, Tomato Salad, Cucumber Salad or German Coleslaw
- Starchy Sides: Mashed Potatoes, Potato Dumplings, Bread Dumplings or Fried Potatoes.
Storage Instructions
Leftover Frikadellen keep in the fridge in an airtight container up to 2-3 days. They keep in the freezer up to three months. You can reheat them in the microwave or pan-fry them to crisp them up again.
Have you made this recipe?
I'd love to hear how it turned out! Leave a rating and comment below.
You'll help fellow readers enjoy it too and help me spread the word about German cuisine. - Marita x
Recipe
Traditional Frikadellen Recipe - German Meat Patties
Equipment
- large bowl for mixing
- frying pan
Ingredients
- 1 stale crusty roll whitebread or baguette - about 100 g / 3.5 oz
- 1 onion around 70 g / 2.4 oz , peeled and finely sliced
- 1 tablespoon vegetable or sunflower oil for frying the onion
- 250 g (½ lb) ground pork or substitute with ground beef *see notes
- 250 g (½ lb) ground beef
- 1 egg medium size
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tsp ground sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried majoram or substitute with sage (affiliate link)
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley or substitute with fresh parsley
- Butter, clarified butter, or vegetable oil for frying the meatballs
Instructions
- Soak the bread roll in a bowl of water. Once it softens, squeeze out the excess liquid using your hands, a spoon, or a sieve. This step is important, as too much moisture will affect the texture of the meatballs.1 stale crusty roll
- Fry the sliced onion in a frying pan with 1 tablespoon of oil until it starts to brown1 onion, 1 tablespoon vegetable or sunflower oil
- In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, bread pulp, fried onion, egg, mustard (affiliate link), salt, pepper, marjoram (affiliate link), parsley, and paprika. Knead the mixture with your hands or a wooden spoon until everything is thoroughly combined.250 g ground pork, 250 g ground beef , 1 egg , 1 teaspoon mustard (affiliate link) , 1 teaspoon salt , ½ teaspoon black pepper , 1 teaspoon ground sweet paprika, 1 teaspoon dried majoram , 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- Roll a small test meatball and fry it in oil to check the seasoning. Taste and adjust if needed.
- Form meatballs with your hands. Using an ice cream scoop helps portion them evenly. (Each should be about 5 cm in diameter and weigh approximately 50 g / 1.7 oz.)
- Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add enough oil or clarified butter to cover the base. Fry the meatballs for 5-7 minutes per side. Do not turn the meatballs too early; let them fry undisturbed to develop a firmer and crispier texture, preventing them from breaking apart. Ensure the oil is not too hot; otherwise, the outside will crisp too quickly while the inside remains raw.Butter, clarified butter, or vegetable oil
- Place the cooked meatballs on a paper towel to absorb excess fat before serving.
- Serve hot or cold
To make in the oven
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/ 392°F and place the meatballs on a tray lined with baking parchment. Bake them in the oven for 30-40 minutes depending on size. Flip halfway through to ensure even cooking.
To make in an airfryer
- Bake at 200°C (392°F) for 10 minutes, flipping once halfway through for even browning.
Video
Notes
Storage Instructions
The meatballs stay good in the fridge for 2-3 days after frying.Freezing?
You can freeze your cooked meatballs in an airtight container for up to three months. Once defrosted, you can enjoy them cold. If you prefer, warm them up in the microwave, or fry them in a pan.Want to save this recipe?
Share your email below & we'll send it to you! Plus you'll get new German recipes from me every week!
Nutrition
Made this recipe?Drop a ⭐ rating and a quick comment below. I personally read and reply to every review!
Love this authentic German recipe?
This is one of 65 traditional dishes featured in my cookbook, German Kitchen-Classic Dishes - all tested, perfected, and handpicked by readers like you!
Dick Bevins says
For an interesting alternative to ground pork, substitute bulk pork sausage or a couple of sweet Italian sausages.
Marita Sinden says
Thanks that sounds an interesting alternative.
Mary says
A friend recommended I try making his German wife’s frikadellin. Couldn’t wait for her recipe. Saw this one and it’s was delicious. Part of our families rotation now. Will definitely try more of yours!
Marita Sinden says
Hi Mary, thank you, I am glad you enjoyed the recipe. Looking forward to hearing more about your cooking adventures.
Best Wishes Marita
Doree says
This recipe came across my email today so I had to make it for dinner tonight and it was excellent! My husband loved them as well! I had all the ingredients and followed your recipe exactly! It brought back many wonderful memories of my German grandmother, mother and German aunts cooking these. They were a favorite in their homes and ours growing up! Will definitely be making these frequently! Thank you, Marita, can’t wait to try some of your other recipes!
Marita Sinden says
Hi Dorree, I am so glad that you tried these. We love them as well! And I am glad it brought back memories of your relatives so special 🙂
Ute says
They bring back memories of when I was a little girl. My Oma and mom made them. Love them and they taste just like I remember them. Vielen Dank.
Marita Sinden says
Thank you Ute, I it remindend you of your time with your Oma. Best Wishes Marita
Ila says
I think I made the best meatballs I ever made. Thank you so much for your recipe. I did not have marjoram, so I used caraway. But everything else was just as is. Also I love your idea of testing one meatball first, I never did that before. Frika amazing meatballs!!
Marita says
Hi Ila, thanks so much for your comment. It made me so happy. I am glad you enjoyed the Frikadellen x
Carol says
I haven't made this yet but looks delicious. Question...it looks like the onions are not chopped, but sliced? Whole slices are added to the meat mixture after being sauteed?
Marita Sinden says
Hi Carol, I am not very good and slicing finley, but they are suppose cubed onion slices. Let me know what you think. Best Wishes Marita
Midge & Millie @ Peachicks' Bakery says
Millie my little carnivore declared that she NEEDS to make these meatballs as they look delicious!!
Ginger says
Delicious! I love the idea of adding sage - I'll try that the next time I make Fleischküchle, little meat cakes, as we call them in Swabia!
Marita says
yes there are so many different variations of this dish. I am looking forward to seeing yours on your blog soon. x