Few dishes capture the warmth and comfort of German home cooking quite like Frikadellen. These hearty meat patties are golden on the outside, juicy on the inside, and here they’re served with a rich mushroom sauce made from porcini and button mushrooms. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a hug on a plate — rustic, filling, and full of flavour.
This recipe combines simple ingredients :
minced meat, potatoes, onions, and mushrooms to create something truly special. Best of all, it’s straightforward to make and perfect for a family dinner.
What Are Frikadellen?
Frikadellen are a German classic, often compared to meatballs or burgers, but with their own distinct character. Traditionally made from a mix of minced meat (beef and pork), onions, and breadcrumbs or potatoes, they’re pan-fried until beautifully browned.
They can be served in many ways : with potato salad, bread rolls, or as part of a warm, hearty meal. In this recipe, we take things up a notch by pairing the patties with a creamy mushroom sauce, giving them a rich, savoury finish.
Why This Recipe Works
- Simple ingredients, big flavour – nothing fancy, just everyday ingredients that taste amazing when combined.
- Comfort food at its best – crispy meat patties with creamy sauce make a perfect combination.
- Family favourite – the recipe makes around 12 Frikadellen, ideal for sharing.
- Versatile – serve with mashed potatoes, noodles, or fresh bread.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity. Here’s what goes in:
- Minced meat – a mix of beef and pork gives the best flavour and juiciness.
- Potatoes – mashed and added to the meat for extra softness.
- Onion – one half in the patties, the other in the sauce.
- Egg – helps bind the mixture.
- Mushrooms – dried porcini add depth, fresh button mushrooms bring texture.
- Soured cream – for the silky, tangy mushroom sauce.
- Herbs – thyme and parsley for flavour and freshness.
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Frikadellen with Mushroom Sauce
Ingredients
Method
- Peel and boil the potatoes for about 20 minutes until soft. Drain well, mash, and leave to cool.
- Place the minced meat in a bowl. Peel and finely chop one half of the onion, then add to the mince along with salt, pepper, the egg, and 2 tbsp white wine.
- Add the mashed potatoes to the meat mixture and combine well. Shape into 12 patties. Heat the clarified butter in a pan and fry the Frikadellen for 4–5 minutes on each side until golden. Remove and keep warm.
- Soak the dried porcini mushrooms in 125 ml hot water for 10 minutes. Clean and slice the fresh mushrooms. Heat butter in a pan and sauté the remaining chopped onion until soft. Add the mushrooms and thyme, and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add the soaked porcini mushrooms along with their soaking liquid and stir in the soured cream. Simmer for 5 minutes, season to taste, and pour over the Frikadellen. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Tips and Variations
- Make it cheesy: Add a small cube of cheese inside each Frikadelle before frying for a gooey surprise.
- Add bacon: Wrap the patties in bacon before frying for extra flavour.
- Go vegetarian: Swap the meat for a mix of lentils, mushrooms, and breadcrumbs – the mushroom sauce pairs beautifully with veggie patties too.
- Use fresh herbs: If you have fresh thyme or parsley, they’ll lift the dish even more.
What to Serve With Frikadellen
This dish is wonderfully versatile. You can enjoy it with:
- Mashed potatoes – creamy mash is the perfect match for the mushroom sauce.
- German potato salad – for a more traditional touch.
- Buttered noodles or spaetzle – to soak up every bit of sauce.
- Crusty bread – simple but perfect for mopping up the plate.
Storing and Reheating
Frikadellen are great for meal prep:
- Store in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- Freeze uncooked patties for up to 3 months – defrost before frying.
- Reheat gently in a pan with a splash of water or cream to keep them moist.
Closing Thoughts
Frikadellen with mushroom sauce is a dish that brings German comfort food straight to your table. The juicy meat patties combined with the creamy, earthy mushroom sauce create a meal that’s rich, satisfying, and full of homely flavour.
It’s a recipe you’ll return to again and again whether for a cosy family dinner, a hearty Sunday meal, or just when you need a little taste of Oma’s kitchen. Don’t forget the final sprinkle of fresh parsley to make it complete.
Guten Appetit! 🍴