Finnish Sausage Sauce (Nakkikastike)

Published: 7/31/2026

A staple of Finnish home cooking, this savory brown gravy is a quick and comforting weeknight dinner served over potatoes or mash.

Ingredients (4 servings)

• 1 lb (450 g) hot dogs (frankfurters), sliced into rounds
• 3 tbsp (42 g) unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup (40 g) all-purpose flour
• 3 cups (720 ml) beef broth
• 1 yellow onion, finely diced
• 1/2 tsp (1 g) black pepper
• Salt to taste

Instructions

1. Sauté the sliced hot dogs and onions in a large skillet over medium heat until the onions are translucent and the meat is lightly browned. Remove from the pan and set aside.
2. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
3. Add the flour to the butter to create a roux. Whisk constantly until the flour turns a deep golden brown and smells distinctly nutty.
4. Slowly whisk in the beef broth, one half-cup at a time, ensuring each addition is fully incorporated and smooth before adding more.
5. Return the hot dogs and onions to the pan. Season with pepper and salt.
6. Simmer on the stovetop for 10 minutes. Alternatively, transfer to an oven-safe dish and keep at 300°F (150°C) until ready to serve.

Pro Tips

• Browned Roux: Browning flour reduces its thickening power through dextrinization; this is why a higher flour-to-liquid ratio (1/3 cup to 3 cups) is used compared to a standard white gravy.

See Also

• Classic Beef Stroganoff (Finnish Style)
• Creamy Chicken & Potato Casserole (Nordic Bake)
• Creamy Nordic Chicken Fricassée (Kanaviillokki)

Categories: mains, comfort-food