24 Classic German Recipes (2024)

From schnitzel to sauerkraut, we love German recipes! These authentic German recipes have been passed down through generations. Whether it’s Oma’s Linzer cookies, beer soup, or apple strudel, you’ll find a classic German recipe to make for dinner, Oktoberfest, or the holidays!

DIANE C.

ANYTOWN, TX

24 Classic German Recipes (2)

German Cucumber Salad, a.k.a. Gurken Salat

“I got this recipe from my neighbor’s mother. She taught me how to make it. She was from Bavaria Province in Germany.” – Diane

OPAL JACKSON-CAKMAK

BIRMINGHAM, AL

24 Classic German Recipes (4)

Hot German Potato Salad

“Super easy, this one-skillet hot German potato salad with vinegar and bacon is a great side dish.” – Opal

DORENE NAGY

WHARNCLIFFE, WV

24 Classic German Recipes (6)

German Kuchen

“When I worked at the bank I had a customer who used to always come to my window to make his deposits for his business. He owned a bakery. He always smelled like doughnuts! I asked him one day if he would give me his recipe for the kuchen that he sold. He wouldn’t do it till the week he decided to close his bakery and retire. My favorite is the cinnamon or butter kuchen.” – Dorene

MARCIA MCCANCE

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA

24 Classic German Recipes (8)

German Streusel Coffee Cake 1953

“Found in mom’s recipe notebook. I remember this one being a keeper!” – Marcia

JESS WEIBLE

VA BEACH, VA

24 Classic German Recipes (10)

Homemade Soft Pretzels

“Every year my husband and I have an Oktoberfest party. These little pretzel nuggets are a huge hit!” – Jess

CAROLYN HAAS

WHITEWATER, WI

24 Classic German Recipes (12)

German Beer and Cheese Soup

“Since medieval times, beer soup has been a staple German food. Easy to find in many Wisconsin restaurants, it’s easy to make at home as well!” – Carolyn

HELENE MULVIHILL

MAGNOLIA, TX

24 Classic German Recipes (14)

German Style Roast Pork With Caramelized Sauerkraut

“Something my mom made and I have been making for 25 years. It’s my recipe now, with all of my tweaks.” – Helene

NANCY VARGAS

SIERRA MADRE, CA

24 Classic German Recipes (16)

Black Forest Cake – My Way

“I have always had a love for the Black Forest Cake but as I tried it many times through the years, it just wasn’t quite hitting that scrumptious point. I knew by deconstructing the cake I could make the best Black Forest Cake by using my own recipes for the components of this famous cake. And, I did. It’s luscious, decadent, and, most importantly, memorable.” – Nancy

FEATURED BLOGGER

24 Classic German Recipes (18)

Kielbasa Sauerkraut Soup Recipe

“A simple and tasty sauerkraut soup with bacon, beans kielbasa, and quinoa!” – Kevin

DIANNE WARD

ABERDEEN, WA

24 Classic German Recipes (20)

Milwaukee Potato Pancakes (Latkes)

“I was born in Milwaukee and my mother was of German/Czech heritage so my fondest memories are of things like this.” – Dianne

GENNY BORTNER

LOUISVILLE, KY

24 Classic German Recipes (22)

So Easy Homemade Beer Cheese

“This recipe came from one of my mother’s cookbooks from the ’70s. Not as detailed as today’s cookbooks, but wow, this recipe was so great and simple.” – Genny

MELANIE KENEFSKY

CASTAIC, CA

24 Classic German Recipes (24)

Momma’s German Potato Salad

“This dish was handed down by my great-grandmother. I still make it for family and friends. My family insists I make it for all holiday dinners but much to their chagrin I draw the line at Thanksgiving.” – Melanie

LAURIE SANDERS

SEATTLE, WA

24 Classic German Recipes (26)

Grandma Maybee’s Koo Koo Bread

“When we lived up in Port Angeles, WA it seemed like everybody was related and in one big extended family, they could hardly wait for Christmas and Koo Koo Bread each year. This year, Jacki shared her recipe with me and gave me permission to post it here. She says it is a 100+-year-old recipe started by her great-grandmother. It is a German Kuchen bread but always called Koo Koo Bread by their family.” – Laurie

MAUREEN HADDOCK

SASKATOON, SK

24 Classic German Recipes (28)

Marion’s Spritz Cookies

“Spritz cookies have a colourful history, come in all shapes, and all of my grandchildren have taken their turns making them, while still in their preschool years.” – Maureen

CYNDI HOLMAN

MONTROSE, CO

24 Classic German Recipes (30)

Bauernfrüstuck (Farmer’s Breakfast)

“A traditional German breakfast meal. You can try this with any kind of link sausauge: Kielbasa, bratwurst, knackwurst, etc.” – Cyndi

SHEILA M

CASA GRANDE, AZ

24 Classic German Recipes (32)

German Linzer Christmas Cookies

“This is my mother-in-law’s German version of Linzer Christmas Cookies. She says they are best filled with currant jelly but it is hard to find. Otherwise, she uses apricot.” – Sheila

CHERIE SZILVAGYI

DECKERVILLE, MI

24 Classic German Recipes (34)

German Soft Pretzels

“Steven, my son, is quite the chef nowadays and has taken numerous awards. Wonder if he remembers as a teenager making this recipe with his friends? Soft, large pretzels that just require a little mustard to be a hit with any family.” – Cherie

BETH CARLTON

SAND ROCK, AL

24 Classic German Recipes (36)

Mommy Sugar’s Pepper Nuts (Pfeffernusse-Pebernodder)

“This is a very old recipe from Germany. These cookies are usually served with coffee or tea and enjoyed mainly at Christmastime. There is no shortening or butter in this recipe. Traditionally these cookies are bite-size nuggets, but our family makes them into cookies.” – Beth

SANDY GRIFFIN

SAN ANTONIO, TX

24 Classic German Recipes (38)

German Goulash

“This is my version of goulash actually. Tonight I took the time to write down what I do for you and my family. I hope you enjoy it. My neighbor that is Swiss said it tasted like her grandmother made and she loved it.” – Sandy

BETH PIERCE

OLD MONROE, MO

24 Classic German Recipes (40)

Apple Strudel

“This mouthwatering good Apple Strudel is made with frozen ready-made puff pastry, fresh apples, golden raisins, and an easy four ingredient cinnamon glaze. It is so amazingly easy to make and just perfect with that hot cup of coffee early in the morning.” – Beth

ANDY ANDERSON !

WICHITA, KS

24 Classic German Recipes (42)

Simple German Schnitzel

“Schnitzel is not complicated… It’s typically pork, pounded thin, breaded, and then fried. Easy Peasy.” – Andy

TERRIE HOELSCHER

HARPERS FERRY, WV

24 Classic German Recipes (44)

“This is authentic! I lived in Germany for 3+ years, and this is the way my German neighbor taught me to make delicious sauerkraut. Takes a bit more time than just opening up a briny can of kraut and heating thru on the stove … but it is SO worth it.” – Terrie

FRANCINE LIZOTTE

SURREY SOUTH, BC

24 Classic German Recipes (46)

German Spätzle

“With a nice texture and buttery flavor, this is a great side dish to serve! Quick and easy, it’s a delicious comfort food to enjoy!” – Francine

BETH PIERCE

OLD MONROE, MO

24 Classic German Recipes (48)

German Beef Rouladen

“German Beef Rouladen combines thin slices of round steak stuffed with spicy brown mustard, bacon, pickles, and onion all browned and smothered with a mouthwatering easy to make beef gravy. This is one of our absolute favorite German dishes.” – Beth

24 Classic German Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is Germany's national dish? ›

Sauerbraten (pronounced [ˈzaʊ̯ɐˌbʁaːtn̩]) is a traditional German roast of heavily marinated meat. It is regarded as a national dish of Germany, and is frequently served in German-style restaurants internationally.

What did Germans eat 500 years ago? ›

Oldest German Foods

Sheep, cows, and goats were used for milk, butter, and cheese and occasionally meat products, which were served most often during feasts. The earliest spices in German cuisine were parsley, celery, and dill, which are still used today.

What is the main meal of the day in Germany? ›

Lunch foods

The main meal of the day is das Mittagessen, or lunch. The tradition is to have a hot meal during lunch. Sauerbraten, snitzels, Frikadellen (German meatballs), potatoes (such as Kartoffelsalat), green beans, soups, and stews are frequently served for lunch.

What food is mostly eaten in Germany? ›

Whilst there are regional variations in food culture, most German recipes focus heavily on bread, potatoes, and meat, especially pork, as well as plenty of greens such as types of cabbage and kale. Cake, coffee, and beer are all highly popular elements of German cuisine too - which will be good news to most!

What is Germany's most famous dish? ›

Absolutely, German cuisine has some iconic dishes. Schnitzel, sauerbraten, and sauerkraut are indeed popular. Schnitzel, a breaded and fried meat cutlet, is enjoyed across the country. Sauerbraten, a pot roast marinated in a sweet and sour sauce, is a classic.

What is the best German food to try? ›

These German recipes celebrate some of the dishes Germany is most known for: crispy fried schnitzel, robust sausages, chewy pretzels, and all manner of mustard-tinged delights. We've even included a handful of items on the sweeter side, too, like a tangy apricot kuchen and a berry-studded German pancake. Guten appetit!

What is Germany's favorite drink? ›

Most purchased and consumed beverages in Germany 2021-2023

Mineral water is by far the most purchased and consumed beverage in Germany. Around 86 percent of the population bought it in 2023. Germans are known for their preference of fizzy drinking water.

What is the most popular meat in Germany? ›

The average annual meat consumption is 59.7 kg (132 lb) per person. The most common varieties are pork, poultry, and beef. Other varieties of meat are widely available, but are considered to be insignificant. Meat is usually braised; fried dishes also exist, but these recipes usually originate from France and Austria.

What famous food did Germany invent? ›

Famous dishes
NameRegion
BratwurstThroughout Germany
CurrywurstBerlin, Rhine-Ruhr
FischbrötchenNorthern Germany
HendlAustro-Bavarian
21 more rows

What time do Germans eat dinner? ›

But in Germany, the traditional dinner time is much earlier: you'll find many German households having their evening meal between 5 and 7 pm.

What is the dining etiquette in Germany? ›

When dining with Germans, be especially mindful of proper manners. They eat continentally—with the fork in the left hand (tines down) and knife in the right hand throughout. Do not pass the fork back and forth between hands. Don't set down your knife to use the fork alone.

What is the most popular fruit in Germany? ›

In Germany no other fruit is consumed as much as the apple. Four out of five Germans (79%) regularly eat apples. Followed closely by bananas (78%) and strawberries (77%). And most Germans (74%) believe that apples aren't just tasty but also healthy.

What is the most famous German dessert? ›

Here are some of the most popular German cakes and desserts: Black Forest cake (Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte): This famous cake consists of several layers of chocolate sponge cake, whipped cream, and cherries soaked in kirsch, a cherry liqueur.

What vegetables do Germans eat? ›

As far as vegetables go, green beans, broccoli, peas and cabbage are staples at the German dinner table. Vegetables are often boiled, stir fried or come from the oven, to keep them slightly chewy.

What cut of meat is sauerbraten made of? ›

Sauerbraten is a German roast of marinated meat, traditionally beef. Since it's generally made with tougher cuts (usually the rump roast), the meat is marinated for days at a time. The roast is sliced and served with a gravy. In some recipes, the gravy is made with gingersnaps.

What are the three main meals in Germany? ›

First of all, we'll take a look at Germany's three main meals in the day: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

What is schnitzel made of? ›

A schnitzel (German: [ˈʃnɪt͡sl̩]) is a thin slice of meat. The meat is usually thinned by pounding with a meat tenderizer. Most commonly, the meat is breaded before frying. Breaded schnitzel is popular in many countries and is made using veal, pork, chicken, mutton, beef, or turkey.

What is currywurst made of? ›

Currywurst (German: [ˈkœʁiˌvʊɐ̯st]) is a fast food dish of German origin consisting of steamed, fried sausage, usually pork (German: Bratwurst), typically cut into bite-sized chunks and seasoned with curry ketchup, a sauce based on spiced ketchup or tomato paste topped with curry powder, or a ready-made ketchup ...

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