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Frikadeller (Danish Meatballs)

Frikadeller, or Danish Meatballs, are savory meatballs served with a rich, creamy gravy sauce that is comfort food at its finest.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 465 kcal
Course: Main Course , Dinner
Cuisine: Danish

Ingredients

Frikadeller:
  • 3/4 pound ground beef (or ground veal is even more authentic)
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 1 onion large, grated
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 4 tablespoons flour
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 2-3 cloves of garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon sage leaves
  • Half & Half or milk for consistency (1/4 to 1/2 cup)
  • butter
Gravy:
  • 3/4 - 2 tablespoons drippings from Frickadeller
  • butter if needed
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 1 cup heavy cream milk works too
  • 1 tablespoon beef bouillon
  • salt & pepper

Instructions

Frikadeller:
    Cup of Yum
  1. Combine beef, pork and onion. Add breadcrumbs, flour, eggs, salt, pepper, nutmeg, garlic, and sage leaves. It works best if you mix it with your hands.
  2. Slowly add half & half for consistency. You want the mixture to be slightly sticky, you shouldn't be able to form them into a perfect ball. Coat large skillet well with butter. Drop clumps of mixture (a heaping tablespoon-size) onto the skillet.
  3. Fry on medium to medium-low heat until browned. Press the meat down a lightly with a fork so it flattens out a little. It should look like a small, but fat hamburger, Flip and brown on the other side, approximately 3-5 minutes. Add more butter with each batch.
  4. Serve with gravy and Rødkål (Danish Red Cabbage).
For the gravy:
  1. Remove meatballs from the skillet, and use the same skillet to make the gravy using the brown bits and drippings from the meatballs. Add the flour to the drippings to form a roux. Add butter if needed.
  2. Slowly add cream or milk until mixture reaches gravy consistency. Add beef bouillon, salt & pepper to taste.

Notes

  • For extra savory meatballs, use entirely pork and leave out the ground beef.
  • Don't wash the frying pan - you can use the browned bits for delicious gravy.
  • If you don't have half-and-half, use whole milk or 2%.

Nutrition Information

Calories 465kcal (23%) Carbohydrates 18g (6%) Protein 22g (44%) Fat 33g (51%) Saturated Fat 15g (75%) Cholesterol 152mg (51%) Sodium 348mg (15%) Potassium 364mg (10%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 495IU (10%) Vitamin C 1.8mg (2%) Calcium 73mg (7%) Iron 2.6mg (14%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 465

% Daily Value*

Calories 465kcal 23%
Carbohydrates 18g 6%
Protein 22g 44%
Fat 33g 51%
Saturated Fat 15g 75%
Cholesterol 152mg 51%
Sodium 348mg 15%
Potassium 364mg 8%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 2g 4%
Vitamin A 495IU 10%
Vitamin C 1.8mg 2%
Calcium 73mg 7%
Iron 2.6mg 14%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.