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Goetta

A Cincinnati specialty of ground meat and pinhead oats formed into a loaf, sliced and pan-fried until crisp.

⏱ 15 minPrep time
🔥 15 minCook time
🍽 6Servings
🏷 BreakfastCategory
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Crispy pan-fried goetta slices with a fried egg

A Cincinnati specialty of ground meat and pinhead oats formed into a loaf, sliced and pan-fried until crisp.

Cincinnati’s German breakfast

German immigrants stretched pork and beef with oats into a savory loaf that slices and sizzles crisp — breakfast meat with a story.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Combine the oats, water, broth, onion, salt, pepper, thyme, nutmeg, and bay leaf in a pot; simmer 10 minutes.
  2. Add the ground pork and beef, breaking it up, and cook 10 minutes more, stirring, until thickened.
  3. Remove the bay leaf, pack the mixture into a loaf pan, and chill until firm, at least 4 hours or overnight.
  4. Slice into 1/2-inch slabs.
  5. Fry in a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat 4-5 minutes per side until deeply browned and crisp. Serve with eggs or on toast.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Chilling overnight makes the loaf slice cleanly. The best goetta has a crisp crust and a tender middle — don't rush the frying.

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Recipe details

Prep15 min
Cook15 min
Servings6
CategoryBreakfast
PublishedAugust 16, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →