A Scandinavian Hamburger Story: Danish Hakkebøf with Braised Onions

The “maybe” story of how the hamburger came to Denmark, and a classic Danish recipe for hakkebøf.

The history of the hamburger is still a matter of much dispute. There are several different versions of historical origins, and I honestly have no idea which is the correct one. But, one of the legends is that the Hamburger was invented by a Danish butcher’s apprentice in the US around the turn of the 19th century.

Whether or not that is the true story of the origin of the Hamburger is probably best left unsaid, but since it is undeniably fitting in the context of this recipe – let’s all agree to pretend that it is, ok?

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What is absolutely true, is that a Danish food writer visited USA in the mid 40’s and immediately fell in love with the country’s emerging fast-food culture. He brought his new found love for burgers back to old Denmark and started spreading its gospel to anyone that would listen. Married couple Oscar and Anni Pettersson jumped on the idea of a burger joint in Copenhagen and opened Oscars Bøf Bar (Oscars Beef Bar) in late May 1949 in the amusement park Bakken (which by the way is the oldest amusement park in the world) on the outskirts of Copenhagen. And the Beef Sandwich – as the Danish version of the American Hamburger was called – was an almost instant success.

Today Oscars Bøf Bar is still going strong as an active institution in Danish culinary life, now run by the third generation of the Pettersson family at the same place in Bakken as always.

Hakkebøf Med Bløde Løg (literal translation: chopped beef with soft onions) is what might could call the “dinner version” of the beef sandwich. In this dish, the traditional burger bun is removed and replaced by potatoes, gravy, pickled accessories and lots and lots of braised onions.

Danish Hakkebøf with Braised Onions

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• Author: Kalle Bergman
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

One of the most classic Danish dishes, the hakkebof with braised onions is the dinner version of the Danish burger.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 1/2 Ib Ground beef from the butcher’s
• Salt
• Pepper
• 2 Large onions
• 1/2 cup water

Sauce

• 2 Tablespoons of organic butter
• 3 Tablespoons flour
• 1 1/2 cups of really good beef stock
• Salt & Pepper
• A dash of food coloring

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Instructions

1. Peel and slice the onions. Put in a medium heat pan with a little bit of butter and fry gently for 5 minutes. Turn the heat down to low and continue to cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, until golden.
2. Add water to the pan and simmer until the water has evaporated (about 5-10 minutes). Keep warm.
3. Take the meat out of the fridge about 15 minutes before you want to start cooking. Shape it onto four round hamburger patties and season with salt and pepper. Fry the patties in butter in a large pan for about 5 minutes on each side.
4. Melt butter slowly in a casserole. Add the flour and use a whisk to mix it for a minute or two.
5. Slowly add the stock in portions, and keep whisking while you pour it in. Season with salt and pepper, and add just a dash of coloring to get the right dark brown color.
6. Serve the hakkebøf with soft golden onions on top, together with boiled or roast potatoes, brown sauce and pickled cucumber or beets.

• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Pan Frying
• Cuisine: Danish