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Leberkäse is a German deli-style meatloaf made from finely ground pork, beef, and spices. It’s baked in a loaf pan until golden and served sliced — often with mustard and a crusty roll.
⏱️ Time
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Chill time: 1 hour
- Bake time: 60–75 minutes
- Total time: ~2.5 hours
🍽️ Equipment Needed
- Food processor or meat grinder
- Loaf pan (9×5 inch / 23×13 cm)
- Ice or very cold water
- Baking dish or roasting tray (for water bath, optional)
🧾 Ingredients
- 500 g (1.1 lb) lean pork shoulder, cubed
- 250 g (½ lb) beef chuck or stewing beef, cubed
- 250 g (½ lb) pork back fat or unsalted bacon
- 1 tsp curing salt (optional, for pink color) or sea salt
- 1 tsp ground white pepper
- 1/2 tsp marjoram
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 small onion, grated or finely minced
- 200 ml (¾–1 cup) ice-cold water or crushed ice
👨🍳 Instructions
1. Prep meat
- Chill meat and fat in the freezer for 30–45 minutes. Cold ingredients help achieve a smooth texture.
2. Grind the meat
- Using a food processor or grinder, process the meat and fat together into a very fine paste.
- Add onion, spices, salt, and half the cold water or ice. Process until smooth, adding more cold water until it’s sticky and emulsified (like a thick mousse).
3. Chill the mixture
- Place the mixture in the fridge for at least 30–60 minutes before baking.
4. Bake
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Grease the loaf pan and spoon in the mixture, pressing down firmly and smoothing the top.
- Optional: Use a sharp knife to score a cross or pattern on the top for presentation.
- Bake uncovered for 60–75 minutes, until the top is browned and a crust forms.
5. Rest and serve
- Let cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm or cold with mustard, pickles, and bread.
🧮 Nutrition (per 100 g slice – estimate)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~270 kcal |
| Protein | ~14 g |
| Fat | ~22 g |
| Carbs | ~1 g |
💡 Tips & Variations
- With liver: Replace ~10–20% of the pork with pork liver for a more traditional version.
- Crustier top: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for the last 10 minutes.
- Serving ideas:
- Pan-fried slices with fried eggs (“Strammer Max”)
- In a bun with mustard (Leberkäsesemmel)
- With sauerkraut or potato salad
