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“Homemade German Hamburgers on a bun with lettuce, melted cheese, and a perfectly browned beef patty topped with parsley.”

German Hamburgers

Authentic German hamburgers — Frikadellen — made from a blend of beef and pork, soaked breadcrumbs, and aromatic spices like nutmeg and marjoram. Crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and full of old-world German flavor. A one-pan comfort meal that’s easy, hearty, and always a hit.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Resting Time 15 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: German
Calories: 340
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

The Meat Base
  • ½ lb Ground beef - Use 80/20 for best flavor
  • ½ lb Ground pork - Adds juiciness
  • ½ cup Breadcrumbs - Soaked in milk
  • ½ cup Milk - For soaking breadcrumbs
  • 1 large Egg - Lightly beaten
  • 1 small Yellow onion - Finely diced
The Flavor Magic
  • 1 tablespoon German mustard - Adds authentic flavor
  • 2 tablespoon Fresh parsley - Finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Dried marjoram - Traditional German herb
  • ¼ teaspoon Ground nutmeg - Warm aromatic spice
  • 1 teaspoon Salt - Adjust to taste
  • ½ teaspoon Black pepper - Freshly ground
Optional Enhancers
  • 1 clove Garlic - Minced
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce - Adds umami
  • ½ teaspoon Paprika - Optional smoky flavor
  • ¼ teaspoon Caraway seeds - For traditional aroma

Equipment

  • 1 Cast iron skillet (For golden crust and even cooking)
  • 1 Large mixing bowl (To combine all ingredients)
  • 1 Spatula (For flipping patties)
  • 1 Meat thermometer (Ensure internal temp reaches 160°F)
  • 1 Plate or tray (For shaping and resting patties)

Method
 

  1. Soak breadcrumbs, chop onion and parsley, and prep meat for mixing.
  2. Combine beef, pork, soaked bread, and spices gently by hand.
    “Mixing bowl filled with ground meat, chopped onions, eggs, breadcrumbs, and herbs ready to make burger patties.”
  3. Form oval-shaped patties and chill before cooking.
  4. Cook patties in hot skillet until golden and fully done.
    “Juicy hamburger patties sizzling in a cast iron skillet with a golden brown crust.”
  5. Let patties rest before serving with sides.

Nutrition

Serving: 150gCalories: 340kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 25gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 110mgSodium: 480mgPotassium: 350mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 150IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 2.6mg

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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