Hakkebøf med Bløde Løg (Danish Beef Patties with Soft Onions)
Hakkebøf med Bløde Løg is a quintessential Danish comfort food. It features pan-fried, seasoned beef patties served with deeply caramelized, soft onions and a rich brown gravy. Traditionally accompanied by boiled potatoes, it's a hearty and satisfying meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 700 g Ground beef(preferably 15-20% fat content)
- 2 Large onions(thinly sliced)
- 4 tbsp Butter(divided)
- 3 dl Beef stock(about 1.25 cups)
- 2 tbsp All-purpose flour
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 1/2 cup Water(for caramelizing onions)
- dash Optional: Brown food coloring
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Caramelize the onions: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large pan over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for about 20-25 minutes until they are very soft and deeply golden brown. Add the 1/2 cup of water during the last 10 minutes of cooking to help them soften further and prevent burning. Season with salt and pepper.
- 2
Prepare the beef patties: Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions. Gently shape them into flat patties, being careful not to overwork the meat. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- 3
Cook the patties: In a separate pan (or after removing the onions), melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Sear the patties for about 3-5 minutes per side until a nice brown crust forms. Reduce heat to medium and continue cooking until the patties are cooked through to your desired doneness (internal temperature of 75°C/167°F for well-done).
- 4
Make the gravy: Remove the cooked patties from the pan and set aside. Pour off excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the beef stock, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer and cook until the gravy thickens. If desired, add a dash of brown food coloring for a richer hue. Season with salt and pepper.
- 5
Serve: Place the beef patties on serving plates. Spoon the caramelized onions over the patties and generously pour the gravy over everything. Traditionally served with boiled potatoes.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Use ground beef with a good fat content (15-20%) for the juiciest patties.
- ✓Don't overwork the meat when forming the patties, as this can make them tough.
- ✓Caramelizing the onions slowly is key to developing their sweet flavor.
🔄 Variations
- Some serve with pickled gherkins or pickled beets on the side for a tangy contrast.
- A splash of Worcestershire sauce can be added to the gravy for extra depth.