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Hakkebøf is a classic Danish comfort food featuring simple, juicy pan-fried beef patties served with sweet caramelized onions, boiled potatoes, and rich brown gravy. Rooted in humble home cooking, this dish perfectly balances hearty flavors and straightforward ingredients. Easy to prepare and endlessly satisfying, hakkebøf offers a delicious taste of Denmark’s culinary traditions.
Ingredients
For the beef patties:
- 600 g ground beef 15–20% fat
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp butter or oil for frying
For the caramelized onions:
- 3 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp butter
- Pinch of sugar
- Pinch of salt
For the brown gravy:
- 1 tbsp butter or beef drippings
- 1 tbsp flour
- 350 ml beef stock
- 1 tbsp cream or splash of Worcestershire sauce optional
Side:
- 800 g boiled potatoes
- Butter and chopped parsley to taste
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large pan over low heat. Add sliced onions, salt, and sugar. Cook slowly for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and golden.
- Combine ground beef with salt and pepper. Form into thick patties without overworking.
- Heat butter or oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry patties for 4–5 minutes per side until browned and cooked through. Remove and keep warm.
- In the same pan, melt butter or use drippings. Stir in flour to create a roux. Gradually whisk in beef stock and simmer until gravy thickens. Add cream or Worcestershire sauce if using.
- Serve patties topped with caramelized onions, alongside boiled potatoes, drizzled with gravy. Garnish with parsley.
Notes
🥩 Hakkebøf – the comforting Danish beef dish you didn’t know you needed
There’s something deeply satisfying about simple food done right. In Denmark, one of the most beloved examples of this is hakkebøf. At first glance, it might look like just another beef patty. But once you sit down to eat it—with caramelized onions on top, soft potatoes on the side, and a rich brown gravy soaking into everything—you’ll understand why it’s so loved in Danish homes.
🇩🇰 So, what is hakkebøf?
Hakkebøf is a traditional Danish dish made from coarsely ground beef. It’s formed into thick patties and pan-fried until it gets a nice crust. Seasoning? Just salt and pepper. That’s it. No breadcrumbs, no garlic, no fuss. The idea is to let the flavor of the meat stand on its own. Unlike a burger, hakkebøf isn’t served in a bun. It’s a proper plate meal, often eaten with fork and knife. What makes it truly special is how it’s served—with soft, slow-cooked onions, tender potatoes, and that gravy... oh, that gravy. 😋🕰️ A bit of background
This dish didn’t start out fancy. It likely became popular in Danish households sometime in the 20th century, when people needed meals that were filling, affordable, and easy to make. Ground beef was accessible, and so was everything else you needed for this meal. Over time, hakkebøf found its way into restaurants, school cafeterias, and even grocery store freezers. Today, it’s just as likely to be found in a rustic countryside inn as in a family kitchen on a Tuesday night.🍽️ What a classic hakkebøf plate looks like
The go-to version of this dish is called hakkebøf med bløde løg, which means “minced beef with soft onions.” It usually includes:- A thick, crispy-edged beef patty
- Sweet, golden onions slowly fried in butter 🧅
- Boiled potatoes, sometimes with a bit of parsley or butter 🥔
- A hearty brown gravy made from pan drippings and beef stock 🍛
🧑🍳 Ways to switch it up
Even though the classic version is hard to beat, you can give it your own twist:- Add cheese on top while the patty is still in the pan 🧀
- Serve with pickled beets or red cabbage for contrast
- Try mashed potatoes or roasted root veggies instead of boiled
- Make a sandwich out of the leftovers on rye bread
