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Frikadeller

Pan-fried Danish pork patties, golden and juicy, with a soft, herb-flecked middle — the weekday heart of Danish home cooking.

⏱ 15 minPrep time
🔥 20 minCook time
🍽 4Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
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Frikadeller

Frikadeller are Denmark’s answer to the meatball: plump, pan-fried patties of pork and veal, lightly spiced with nutmeg and beaten with sparkling water to keep them tender. They are crisp-edged and juicy, with a soft, moist crumb inside.

These are everyday comfort food, often served with boiled potatoes, pickled beets and a simple brown gravy. Frikadeller appear warm on the lunch table or cold on rye bread the next day, and every Danish cook has their own closely guarded proportions.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Soak the breadcrumbs in the milk for 10 minutes.
  2. Mix the meats, grated onion, eggs, salt, pepper and nutmeg with the soaked crumbs, then beat in the sparkling water until the mixture is light and slightly fluffy.
  3. Shape into oval patties about 1/2 inch thick.
  4. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat and fry the frikadeller in batches until deeply golden on both sides and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side.
  5. Keep warm while frying the rest, and serve with boiled potatoes, pickled beets and brown gravy.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Chill the mixture for 15 minutes if it feels too sticky to shape. The sparkling water is the Danish trick for tender, airy patties.

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Recipe details

Prep15 min
Cook20 min
Servings4
CategoryDinner
PublishedAugust 17, 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 →