Pannbiff (Swedish Beef Patties with Cream Gravy)
Why this recipe works
- Tender patties: Soaking the breadcrumbs in milk creates a soft binder that helps keep the beef patties moist rather than firm or dry.
- Built-in pan flavour: The gravy is made in the same pan used to brown the patties, so the caramelised beef and butter form the base of the sauce.
- Richness in balance: Cream gravy gives the dish its comforting richness, while lingonberries add a sharp, fruity contrast on the plate.
Get the most out of this recipe
Authenticity notes
- Swedish home-style cooking: Pannbiff is closely associated with everyday Swedish cooking: simple minced beef patties, browned in a pan and served with a creamy gravy.
- Lingonberries are the classic contrast: The sweet-tart berry condiment is not just a garnish; it balances the butter, beef and cream in the same way acidity would in a sauce.
Texture tips
- Keep the mixture light: Mix the beef only until the breadcrumbs, onion and egg are evenly combined. Overworking the mixture can make the patties dense.
- Simmer the cream gently: Once the cream goes into the pan, keep the heat low and avoid a hard boil so the gravy stays smooth.
Ingredient notes
- Use allspice with restraint: Allspice should sit quietly in the background, adding warmth without making the patties taste heavily spiced.
- Choose the right beef: Minced beef with some fat will give softer, juicier patties than very lean mince, especially after pan-frying.
Make-ahead tips
- Reheat gently: Warm the patties and gravy over low heat with a little extra beef stock if the sauce has thickened in the fridge.
- Freeze without the lingonberries: The cooked patties and gravy can be frozen together; add the lingonberry on serving rather than before freezing.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Patties
Cream gravy and to serve
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, stir together the milk and breadcrumbs and leave to soak for 10 minutes until thick. Meanwhile, finely grate the onion.
- Add the grated onion, minced beef, egg, allspice, black pepper and salt to the soaked breadcrumbs. Mix with your hands just until combined, then shape into 8 oval patties about 2 cm thick.
- Heat half the butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. Fry the patties for 4 to 5 minutes per side until well browned and cooked through, then transfer to a plate.
- Add the remaining butter to the pan and let it melt. Pour in the beef stock and whisk, scraping up the browned bits, then simmer for 3 to 4 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Lower the heat and stir in the double cream, then simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes until lightly thickened. Return the patties to the pan and warm through for 2 minutes, turning to coat in the gravy.
- Serve the patties with the cream gravy spooned over, with lingonberry on the side.
Recipe notes
Tips
- For the juiciest patties, mix only until everything comes together; overworking the mince can make them dense.
- Keep the gravy at a gentle simmer after adding the double cream so it stays smooth and does not split.
- If serving to pregnant people, young children, older adults, or anyone immunocompromised, use eggs stamped with the British Lion mark or another pasteurised egg equivalent.
Substitutions
- Replace Whole milk with low-fat milk for a slightly lighter patty mixture.
- Replace Double cream with single cream for a thinner, less rich gravy.
- Replace Breadcrumbs with gluten-free bread crumbs to make the patties gluten-free.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Cool the patties and gravy, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a frying pan over low heat with a splash of beef stock until piping hot. Freeze (without the lingonberry) for up to 2 months; defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Ratings & reviews
Liked this recipe? Share your feedback to support our cooking community.
Tried this recipe?
Choose 1–5 stars. A comment is optional.
Stay inspired
Discover new recipes, seasonal favourites and cooking inspiration every day. Follow JustRecipes on Pinterest and Spillt.
Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 45min (30min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Nordic
-
Allergens:
Eggs Gluten Milk Wheat
Plan your meals and get a complete grocery list automatically.
Add to meal plannerEquipment you'll need
Got ingredients left?
Find recipes using ingredients from this recipe or what you already have at home.
Find recipes with these ingredients →
Boudin Noir aux Pommes (Blood Sausage with Apples)
Pan-fried blood sausage served with buttery sautéed apples
Moules Marinières (Mussels in White Wine)
Mussels steamed in white wine with garlic and parsley
Poulet Moutarde (French Mustard Chicken)
Chicken simmered in a Dijon mustard and white wine sauce
Poulet Vallée d’Auge (Chicken with Calvados and Cream)
Chicken with Calvados, apples and double cream sauce
Arroz con Pollo (Cuban-Style Rice and Chicken)
One-pot Cuban-style chicken and rice with peppers and tomatoes
Creamy Tuscan-Style Chicken (American Diner Version)
Creamy chicken with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach
Brandade de Morue (French Salt Cod and Potato Gratin)
Salt cod and potato gratin with garlic and breadcrumbs
Black Pudding with Mash
Pan-fried black pudding with buttery mash and caramelised onions
Coda alla Vaccinara (Roman-Style Oxtail Stew)
Roman-style oxtail stew braised with tomatoes, red wine and cocoa
Grilled Vegetable Cataplana (Algarve-Style Stew)
Algarve-style vegetable stew with grilled peppers and courgettes
Belgian Beer-Braised Ham with Mustard and Brown Sugar Glaze
Beer-braised ham with mustard and brown sugar glaze
Modern Lentil Curry Bowl
Creamy red lentil curry served over basmati rice
Köttbullar (Swedish Meatballs with Cream Gravy)
Swedish meatballs in cream gravy with lingonberries
Kjøttboller i Brunsaus (Beef Meatballs in Brown Gravy)
Beef meatballs in brown gravy with boiled potatoes
Lihapyörykät (Finnish Meatballs with Allspice Gravy)
Finnish meatballs simmered in allspice gravy
Swedish Meatballs with Cream Sauce and Lingonberry
Swedish meatballs in creamy gravy with lingonberry
Air Fryer Swedish Meatballs
Air fryer Swedish meatballs with cream gravy and lingonberry jam.
Classic American Meatloaf with Brown Gravy
Baked beef meatloaf served with an easy brown gravy
You might also like
Bistecca alla Fiorentina (Tuscan T-Bone Steak)
Tuscan T-bone steak, seared and simply seasoned
Slow-Roasted Shoulder of Lamb with Rosemary
Slow-roasted lamb shoulder with rosemary, garlic and pan juices
Scallops with Cauliflower Purée and Crispy Pancetta
Pan-seared scallops with cauliflower purée and crispy pancetta
Parihuela (Peruvian Seafood Soup with Tomato and Chilli)
Seafood soup with tomato, chilli, lime and coriander
Moo Ping (Thai Grilled Pork Skewers)
Thai grilled pork skewers marinated with coconut milk and fish sauce
Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Couscous, Olives and Preserved Lemon
Chicken tagine with preserved lemon and olives over couscous
Make this recipe easier next time
AdvertisementThese tools help you get better results with less effort.
Misen Carbon Steel Nonstick Frying Pan 12 Inch
- Works on all stovetops
- Naturally nonstick when seasoned
- Requires seasoning and maintenance
Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowls with Lids
- Microwave safe
- BPA-free lids
- Glass is heavier
All-Clad HA1 Hard Anodized Nonstick Fry Pan 12 Inch
- Top-tier build quality
- Excellent heat distribution
- Expensive
KitchenAid Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
- Non-slip base
- Stainless steel
- Not microwave safe
Enjoy cooking with JustRecipes?
Add JustRecipes as one of your preferred Google sources to discover our recipes more easily across Google Search.
Add JustRecipes to GoogleEvery recipe on JustRecipes follows the same structured editorial process. Learn how recipes are created, validated, translated, illustrated, and continuously improved across the platform. How we create recipes.
