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You are going to love all these easy German recipes. I fell in love with German food when I was there several years ago. Each delicious recipe comes with full step-by-step instructions so you can make it at home.
For many people, the only time they eat traditional German food is at German restaurants, but these delicious German recipes are easy to make yourself.
Travel is my passion, and my favorite way to explore is through the food. I try to share my favorites from my trips, like this Italian bean soup or one of these traditional Italian desserts, many of which I tasted when I was in Italy on the Costa Smeralda Mediterranean cruise.
When I was in Regensburg with Viking River Cruises a few years ago, the first thing we did was head to the Historic Sausage Kitchen of Regensburg for a brat.
You really can't go to this part of the world and not have this experience. Until you get there, try this roasted bratwurst skillet meal.
A beer is a must with a bratwurst!
A few years later I spent some time exploring the Romantic Road in Germany. After that trip, I knew I wanted to share some traditional German food with you.
I loved the food in Germany, but feel like so many people told me not to get excited about eating there. They were SO wrong!
There is a very serious German food culture, and those who told me not to expect amazing food just hadn't tasted truly authentic recipes from Germany.
These recipes are scrumptious any time of year, but especially popular when Oktoberfest rolls around! Have an Oktoberfest night at your house for something festive. We could all use a cheery holiday meal!
Comfort Food at its Best
Traditional German cuisine is pure comfort food, in a stick to your ribs kind of way. You'll find different styles of food depending on the region of Germany.
I've read that people in Northern Germany prefer potatoes versus those who would rather have noodles in Southern Germany. I think it depends on what I'm eating, don't you?
Most of the time the meat is braised, though there are also 1,500 different varieties of sausages, usually fully cooked in a water bath and finished on some type of griddle or grill.
And then there are the delicious and easy German recipes for side dishes. YUM!
Though I didn't see that many traditional veggies when I was in Germany, I did fall hard for their potato salad, applesauce, and that popular dish, German spaetzle dumplings! We had the street food version at a festival and I think I could live on spaetzle!
I do think you should try the traditional German recipe for sauerkraut. My grandmother made sauerkraut to put on hot dogs and I hated it.
I was actually intimidated about even trying it in Germany, and now I can't imagine not having it with Bratwurst. We do not know how to make sauerkraut here in the United States!
Sometimes, one of these hearty authentic German recipes is just what you need at the end of a long day.
These are the best German recipes I've found, and they are easy to prepare and very family-friendly, which means the kids will like them, too! You might just fall in love with German cooking!
Even vegans will find a couple of recipes here, and scroll to the bottom for a couple of German desserts!
1
Pan-roasted Bratwurst Skillet
Get ready for a flavor explosion with this easy recipe for one skillet bratwurst. Roasting these ingredients together melds the flavors into a pan of pure deliciousness.
2
Cheddar and Ale Bratwurst Soup
This delicious cheddar and ale bratwurst soup is so easy to make. This is the perfect dinner for chilly evenings, but don't save it for the winter months. It's good all year long!
Cheddar and Ale Bratwurst Soup
3
German Beer Cheese Dip
This German Beer Cheese Dip is so delicious and super easy to prepare. It's one of the most delicious dishes on this list and great for parties.
German Beer Cheese Dip
4
Sourdough Pretzels
Learn how to make these soft Sourdough Pretzels with this detailed, visual recipe. No lye is needed to make these sourdough pretzels dark brown and chewy!
5
Skillet Gypsy Schnitzel Dinner
This easy and delicious German skillet pepper schnitzel dinner recipe is made of pork cutlets paired with onions and fresh peppers and then smothered in a creamy tomato sauce.
6
Sauerkraut Chickpea Flour Pierogies with Spiced Apple Sauce
Homemade sauerkraut chickpea flour pierogies in seconds! A gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, & vegan dinner!
7
Authentic Homemade Sauerkraut
Learn how to make your own delicious and nutritious authentic homemade sauerkraut in easy to follow steps using the process of fermentation.
8
Sauerbraten
This Sauerbraten recipe is far from your typical pot roast with its wonderful depth of flavor. Comforting deliciousness!
9
Vegan Cabbage Soup with Sausages
This vegan cabbage vegetable soup with sausages is very satisfying and comforting to eat especially as we added some vegan sour cream.
10
Hot German Potato Salad
A simple recipe for Hot German potato salad that is tangy, savory, and slightly sweet. It’s loaded with crunchy bacon & sauteed onion and tossed in an addicting apple cider vinegar, mustard & bacon fat dressing.
11
Slow Cooker Sauerbraten Beef in Gingersnap Gravy
This mouth-watering old-world dish is tender and absolutely delicious served over spaetzle or soft egg noodles!
12
Authentic German Potato Salad
This authentic German Potato Salad recipe has been a family favorite for more than 70 years! The intensely flavorful, vinegar-based dressing is sweet and tangy. Perfect as a hearty side dish!
13
German Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream Dressing
Just like your Oma used to make only better (and NOT watery)! Easy and Delicious!
14
Skillet Cabbage with Bacon & Garlic
An easy keto-friendly Skillet Cabbage with Bacon and Garlic recipe that will make everyone a fan of humble cabbage!
15
Slow Cooker Sauerkraut and Sausage Recipe with Potatoes and Apples
This sausage and sauerkraut slow cooker recipe is gluten-free. A sauerkraut and apples slow cooker recipe made with sausage and potatoes.
16
Spaetzle with Bacon and Onions
Bacon onion spaetzle in a simple but delicious combination of pasta, bacon, caramelized onions, and cheese. It's the perfect comfort food.
17
Easy Cabbage And Andouille Sausage Skillet - Dancing Through the Rain
This Cabbage And Andouille Sausage Skillet is an easy low carb dinner that is keto, dairy free & gluten free! Protein and veggies in one bowl!
18
Instant Pot Brats
Instant pot brats with beer makes an easy and delicious dinner idea when you need a quick bratwurst recipe. Make these low carb brats by using low carb beer
19
Gluten Free German Schnitzel with Potato Salad
This will be your family’s FAVORITE Gluten-free German wiener schnitzel recipe! Pork schnitzel that is golden brown and crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside!
20
German Potato Pancakes
These homemade authentic German Potato Pancakes are slightly salty, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and pure comfort food delight. This is your dream German recipe for potato pancakes and it just so happens to be gluten-free.
21
German Potato Salad
This is another variation of German potato salad I think you're really going to love. An especially delicious recipe, this one offers a tangy twist on the traditional mayo filled potato salad we eat here in the United States.
22
Spaetzle Recipe
This is an awesome recipe for homemade German egg noodles also known as spaetzle. These is the perfect German pasta to mix in with your German pot roast or soup or with a creamy sauce.
23
German Solyanka Recipe
This hearty, savory and slightly spicy soup has a unique taste. Originating in Eastern Europe, solyanka is a comfort food German soup to serve alongside a loaf of warm crusty bread
24
Beef Rouladen
Thin slices of beef roll-ups with onion and dill pickle create this delicious German Rouladen. This entree is even more delicious when served with a traditional German cucumber or potato salad.
25
Old Fashioned German Potato Salad
Another really traditional recipe for potato salad. I loved it when I was in Germany!
26
Traditional German Cabbage Rolls Recipe
This Traditional German Cabbage Rolls recipe is easy to make with the step-by-step guidance. A favorite meat dish in the US and Germany.
27
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Schweinebraten (German Roast Pork Shoulder)
This classic German dish is all about the contrast between savory, fork-tender meat and a crispy, tender crust of pork crackling flavored with cumin, caraway, and mustard seeds.
28
Holiday Riesling Potato Soup
This creamy German Riesling Potato Soup is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve. It’s topped with festive crouton stars.
29
German Cucumber Salad Recipe
This German cucumber salad is crunchy and refreshing. Two dressing options are provided: make it with vinegar and oil or with creamy dressing. Easy to make.
30
German Pork Chops and Sauerkraut
Hearty pork chops and sauerkraut baked in a 9x13 dish. This classic German meal makes juicy boneless pork with sauerkraut, to serve with mashed potatoes!
31
Braised Red Cabbage Recipe
A vibrant, tangy and sweet, European-inspired side dish that’s easy and versatile!
32
Schinkennudeln (German Ham and Egg Pasta)
Schinkennudeln is a simple German pasta dish with ham and scrambled eggs. An easy family friendly dinner idea - ready in under 30 minutes!
33
Meat and Cabbage Buns
Meat and Cabbage Buns are a simple rustic recipe that packs big flavor and are easy to pack as a meal on the go.
34
Easy Frikadellen Recipe (German Meat Patties)
Frikadellen are German Meat Patties. Precurors to hamburger, these open faced sandwiches are a great weeknight meal or an easy way to celebrate Octoberfest!
35
Currywurst
Currywurst is an iconic street food in Germany, and for good reason! Bratwurst sausages get paired with a tasty curry ketchup. It’s so good.
36
Crockpot Kielbasa and Sauerkraut
Crockpot Kielbasa and Sauerkraut is a tart and tangy meal with a sweet side. This easy weeknight meal is tasty and gluten free.
37
Vegan Schnitzel (Tofu)
Crispy, tender, and flavorful, these Vegan Schnitzel are actually made from tofu and they’re incredibly delicious.
38
Flammkuchen
Flammkuchen - a German pizza topped with creme fraiche and smothered in sauteed onions & crisp bacon. Rustic, delicious & unique!
39
German Carrot and Apple Salad
Authentic German carrot and apple salad with walnuts. Refreshing, healthy, vegan and vegetarian-friendly, and oh so delicious!
This delicious German dark rye bread would be a fabulous side dish or to make sandwiches with leftover meats the next day!
40
German Dark Rye Bread
A rich, aromatic dark rye bread infused with molasses, cocoa, and a triple-seed mix for distinctive flavor and color. Detailed step-by-step directions.
The perfect side dish for many of these authentic German foods would be potato dumplings, German pancakes, German red cabbage, French fries, or white asparagus if you can find it.
German Desserts
What's your favorite of the delicious sweets in Germany? I love Bee Sting Cake, Apple Strudel, of course, the most famous German food, that delicious Black Forest Cake with those amazing sour cherries! Below are a couple for you to try.
41
Bavarian Apple Torte
Finally, for dessert, you must try this amazing Bavarian Torte! It has a delicious shortbread crust, a creamy, decadent cheesecake layer, and it's topped off with cinnamon apples and sliced almonds. I think I'd have to top it with vanilla ice cream!
42
Black Forest Cake Recipe
This Black Forest Cake is a famous German chocolate cake. It has 4 chocolatey layers, 1 lb of kirsch infused cherries and a light whipped cream.
43
German Apple Cake - Easy Kuchen Recipe
This German Apple Cake or Apple Kuchen with a pastry crust, topping of sliced baking apples, and cinnamon sugar is both easy and delicious!
44
German Pfeffernüsse Cookies
Pfeffernüsse cookies are a traditional German Christmas cookie.
45
Grandma’s Rum Balls
Yes, you can taste the rum in these easy no-bake Rum Balls! The old fashioned recipe comes straight from Grandma’s recipe box.
Wine Pairings
As for wine pairings, you could go with a white wine like a German Pinot Blanc (German word: Weissburgunder) for any of these traditional dishes.
For the heartier meat dishes, you might prefer a red wine like Spätburgunder, Germany's Pinot Noir. You could even begin with white and switch to red for the main course.
Germany's dessert wines are heavenly, so for something at the end of the meal with dessert (or even as dessert) you can't go wrong with a Riesling.
Wine isn't just for special occasions. It really can bring out the flavors of the food! Go with your taste buds. I'd drink a Pinot Noir with just about any of these popular German dishes.
With the bratwürst, I think German traditional food pairs best with a good German beer!
Though not from Germany, I have to share one more stick to your ribs comfort dish.
I took this recipe from the Viking Cruises cookbook I bought when I sailed with them on their Rhone River cruise.
This Easy Beef Stroganoff dish actually comes from Russia and is so easy to make. I can't wait to hear how much you love it, too.
What are your favorite traditional German food recipes? Let me know in the comments so I can try to find a recipe! And please let me know if you try one of these recipes. Enjoy!
What is the most popular German recipe?
Bratwurst is the most popular German recipe. Usually made from pork, it is not only the most popular German foods in the US, but meat dishes are a favorite of German foodies, too.
What is Schnitzel?
That funny sounding word schnitzel simply means a cutlet of meat that is usually pounded thin.
Can you get vegetarian food in Germany?
Yes! Many German dishes are vegetarian. In fact, one of the most popular dishes is Spätzle, which is egg noodles. Who couldn't live on pizza, pasta, and veggies?
Ideas for your Vacation to Germany
What to See in Dinkelsbühl, Germany
Nördlingen Germany on The Romantic Road
Exploring Downtown Augsburg
Things to Do in Rothenburg, Germany
Traditional German Dishes
You are going to love all these popular German dishes! Each recipe comes with full instructions so you can make it at home.
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Author: Kelly Stilwell
Ingredients
- Pan-Roasted Bratwurst Skillet Meal
- Sauerkraut Chickpea Flour Pierogies with Spiced Apple Sauce
- Cheddar & Ale Bratwurst Soup
- Sauerbraten
- Vegan Cabbage Soup with Sausages
- Hot German Potato Salad
- Easy Old-Fashioned Cucumber Salad
- Authentic German Potato Salad
- Slow Cooker Sauerbraten Beef in Gingersnap Gravy
- German Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream Dressing
- Skillet Cabbage with Bacon & Garlic
- Slow Cooker Sauerkraut and Sausage Recipe
- Spaetzle with Bacon and Onions
- Cabbage And Sausage Skillet
- German Spiced Cabbage
Instructions
Choose your favorite German recipe.
Gather up the ingredients to make it.
Make and enjoy a delicious German dish.
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @kastilwell or tag #FFFP!
