Hello to all the lovers of authentic German recipes!
These are the kind of recipes that are varied, hearty, and just so much fun. Also, the kind that are timeless classics, and they have, like, a haul of ACTUAL flavor and culinary history tucked into those crunchy schnitzels and spiced mulled wines.
These are German recipes, yes, but really, mostly, this is a thing that you make to celebrate the fact that eating really good, cozy food can also mean eating more than just sauerkraut and bratwurst.
1. Sauerbraten
This isn’t your average Sunday dinner roast. Not even close. Sauerbraten gets marinated for two to ten whole days before you even think about cooking it. Trust me when I say it is absolutely worth it!
So what’s the deal with the long marinade? Tougher cuts of meat, like a rump roast, are typically used for this dish.
That long soak is what creates the most tender and juicy piece of meat you can imagine! The wine in the marinade actually preserves the meat, so you don’t have to worry about it.
Serve it up with some classic potato pancakes or boiled potatoes. It is just so good.
2. German Red Cabbage
This red cabbage is an absolute staple in German kitchens and makes for the best side dish for so many meals! Plus, it’s loaded with nutrients, so you can feel good about what you’re eating.
This dish gets its incredible flavor from tangy apples, wine, and sour vinegar. And you can’t forget about that little touch of sweetness from caramelized sugar!
It’s great with just about anything, but I especially love it next to Sauerbraten or some potatoes.
3. German Muesli
We all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day. So why not kick things off with this seriously delicious and healthy German muesli?
This cold oatmeal dish is so easy. You just combine rolled oats, mixed nuts, and your favorite dried fruits like cranberries, bananas, or blueberries. Give it a good sprinkle of cinnamon before adding it all to yogurt or milk.
If you prefer your oats on the softer side, just mix everything with yogurt the night before and let it sit. Breakfast will be ready to go as soon as you wake up! How amazing is that?
4. German Potato Pancakes
In less than 30 minutes, you can have these homemade, authentic German potato pancakes, also called Kartoffelpuffer. I’m telling you, one bite and you will be in fried-food heaven!
The secret here is a little bit of nutmeg, which gives these pancakes a nutty kick. Potatoes and onions get grated and mixed up with the other ingredients before being fried until they’re perfectly crispy and golden brown.
They’re traditionally served with applesauce or some sour cream with herbs, but I think this crispy creation would be amazing with just about anything!
5. Currywurst
Currywurst is hands-down one of Germany’s most popular street foods. And with this recipe, you can whip it up at home in under 30 minutes. Yes, please!
At its heart, it’s sausage covered in spiced ketchup, but honestly, there is nothing basic about this dish.
It uses juicy bratwurst, and the sauce is a fantastic mix of tomato sauce, curry powder, and so many other flavorful ingredients. You can make it in the oven or even your air fryer!
6. Spatzle
You only need 15 minutes to make this classic German side dish! Homemade spaetzle is such a great alternative to potatoes, rice, or noodles. It’s the ultimate go-with-anything dish!
The story goes that someone thought the little bits of dough looked like small sparrows, so they called it spaetzle, which means “little sparrow.”
Don’t you just love the history behind foods like this? Sauté them in butter as soon as they’re done to get them a little crispy and keep them from sticking together.
7. Hunter’s Pork Chops
Rich and creamy breaded pork chops, done German-style? Sign me up! The name for these comes from the German word for hunter, which is Jäger, a very popular and rich sauce.
Thick pork chops get a dip in buttermilk and flour before being fried to a beautiful golden brown. Then, the gravy is made right in the pan with all those leftover pork chop drippings, creating the most flavorful mushroom gravy ever.
Just put the pork chops back into that rich gravy to finish cooking. You can dig in right away or serve them up with some German spätzle.
8. Rouladen
Rinderrouladen, also known as German beef rouladen, is a dish layered up with beef, onions, bacon, and pickles. I just love how fun they look all rolled up!
While each ingredient is delicious on its own, putting them all together creates something so satisfying and perfect.
Thinly sliced beef gets slathered with grainy mustard, then layered with bacon, onions, and pickles. They get a quick fry before heading to the oven to braise until all those amazing flavors have melded together.
Serve them on their own, with German red cabbage, or with potato balls and gravy.
9. German Onion Pie
You won’t find any sweetness in this pie! It’s a savory pie with a base of soft, caramelized onions that is extremely popular in Germany at the start of every autumn. It’s also packed with smoky bacon to balance out the onions.
Everything is mixed into a creamy sauce with eggs, sour cream, and flour. Caraway seeds bring a nutty flavor to the party. Just let it cool down after baking and enjoy it lukewarm or even cold.
10. German Semolina Pudding – Grießbrei
This traditional sweet treat is known as griessbrei. It’s perfect for dessert or anytime you just need a refreshing little bite to eat. All you need is milk, vanilla, sugar, and semolina.
Just bring all the ingredients except the semolina to a boil, then add the semolina and let it simmer and thicken up. Enjoy it warm, or let it chill in the fridge. I love it topped with cinnamon and sugar or a dollop of my favorite berry jam!
11. German Schnitzel
Breaded and fried to absolute perfection, German schnitzel is the ultimate comfort food. And it’s ready in under 30 minutes, which makes it a winner for busy nights.
Pork chops are pounded out thin with a meat tenderizer, which gives you a juicy and seriously crispy pork chop. The dredging process is simple: flour, then eggs, and finally bread crumbs or panko.
This isn’t going to be a light or healthy meal, but I promise your pork chops will be so tender and delicious!
12. German Chocolate Pie
Germans aren’t really known for making super sweet desserts. This German chocolate pie is decadent and rich, but with just the right amount of sweetness. A store-bought pie crust makes this recipe an absolute breeze.
White and brown sugar help balance out the slightly bitter semi-sweet chocolate chips. Pecans add a nice crunch, while coconut flakes bring the perfect texture.
The key to this pie is not to over-bake it. You want that center to be silky and gooey!
13. Zurich Ragout
This dish comes together so fast, making Zurich ragout the perfect meal for those busy weeknights. It’s a creamy stew made with a white sauce and tender mushrooms.
It’s a really hearty dish, but the fresh parsley and lemon juice keep it from feeling too heavy. For the most authentic version, you’ll want to use veal, but pork loin is a great substitute.
The sauce itself is a mix of beef stock, shallots, mushrooms, and white wine. Letting it simmer and reduce creates an intensely flavorful gravy that you just won’t be able to get enough of.
14. Pickled Beets
A little sweet and a little sour, these pickled beets are a fantastic addition to salads, as a side dish, or even just to snack on by themselves. I have a feeling even people who are skeptical about beets will fall in love with this healthy snack.
Whole beets are boiled with their skins on and then cooled before slicing. They get so much of their flavor from a vinegar solution made with sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice berries.
These are perfect for canning, so you can keep them for up to a year and enjoy a sweet and sour treat whenever you want!
15. Sauerkraut Soup
All you sauerkraut lovers out there are going to be in heaven after one taste of this soup. It’s tangy and salty, and it will warm you right up on even the coldest nights.
You know bacon makes everything better, so of course this dish starts with lots of smoky bacon.
Potatoes and quinoa make this soup super hearty, and the white beans add such a great texture. Every single bite has a new, delicious flavor. You are definitely going to want a slice of crusty bread to sop up every last drop!
16. Grilled German Pork Chops
Time to break out the grill and enjoy these amazing German pork chops, also known as schwenkbraten. Traditionally, all you need is an open fire, so you can even make these on your next camping trip!
The marinade is absolutely key for the most tender and flavorful pork chops.
With seasonings like juniper berries, ground mustard, and curry powder, every single bite is packed with so much flavor. You’ll want to get a beautiful char on the chops to give them that perfect smoky taste.
17. Easy German Pancakes
After you take one bite of these German pancakes, you will never want them any other way. When I tell you they are over-the-top fluffy, it is not an exaggeration!
Just blend all your ingredients and pour the batter into a cast-iron skillet, then pop it right in the oven. My favorite part is watching the pancake grow and get so incredibly puffy!
Once it cools, it looks like a little bowl, which is just perfect for holding all your favorite toppings. A little bit of strawberries, maple syrup, and powdered sugar adds the perfect amount of sweetness.
18. German Pan Fried Potatoes
Germany really loves its potatoes. And why not? They’re great with just about any meal! These German pan-fried potatoes, known as bratkartoffeln, will be an amazing side dish you can find in almost every restaurant there.
Potatoes are peeled, diced into small cubes, and then slowly fried until they get a crispy crust. For the best flavor, fry up some bacon first and then cook the rest of the dish in that leftover bacon fat.
This meal might not be the healthiest, but every single bite is just bursting with flavor.
19. Springerle
These traditional German springerle cookies are most often made around Christmastime. They have such a rich history and were often given as gifts on religious holidays and for special occasions. They are so cute, you’ll want to make them all the time!
You can use special molds or rolling pins to easily create all kinds of different designs. The dough itself is pretty simple, giving you a cookie with a chewy center and a crunchy outside.
Star anise is the main flavor here. Dunk these into coffee, tea, or even a mug of hot chocolate.
20. German Potato Salad
I bet you have never had a potato salad quite like this before! German potato salad is so tangy and is traditionally served in the southern part of the country.
That amazing tang comes from an oil and vinegar dressing. You will not find any mayonnaise in this dish!
The boiled and peeled potatoes are sliced up thinly. They do end up breaking apart a bit, but that’s totally okay, they don’t have to be perfect.
The secret to getting the boldest flavor is to pour the vinegar over the potatoes and let it soak in before you add the oil. Serve it up alongside fish or chicken.
21. German Cheese Spread
Known as Obatzda, this German cheese spread is the perfect thing to add to your next snack platter or charcuterie board. This isn’t just some mild cheese spread, though.
Several kinds of cheese, including camembert and either brie or romadur, are mashed up with butter.
Then, a ton of minced onion, spicy Hungarian paprika, and other spices are mixed in, which adds so much mouth-watering flavor. You can keep it chunky or blend it for a smoother spread. Serve it with pretzels, bread, or your favorite crackers.
22. Quark
While German quark looks a lot like American yogurt, it’s not exactly the same thing. Quark is a fresh, creamy, non-aged cheese that’s kind of like a mix between cream cheese and yogurt.
It’s healthy and high in protein, just like yogurt, but it’s not quite as tangy. The flavor is pretty neutral, which makes it perfect for all sorts of recipes.
In Germany, it’s popular for breakfast with fresh fruit and honey. You can also spread it on toast, make a dip for fruit or veggies, or use it in creamy desserts.
23. German Bread Dumplings
German bread dumplings are made a little differently depending on what region you’re in. But no matter where you are, all the versions are savory and so delicious. The base is made from hardened bread that’s been cut into small chunks and soaked in hot milk.
Flavorful ingredients like bacon, parsley, and nutmeg are then added to the mix. These dumpling balls are perfect with so many of the amazing recipes on this list, especially anything with gravy!
24. German Mulled Wine
German mulled wine is called Glühwein, which actually means “glowing wine.” How perfect is that? It’s the ideal festive drink to serve at your next holiday party! With orange and lemon juice, you get a wonderful, tangy citrus flavor.
And don’t forget the cinnamon sticks and cloves! Can’t you just imagine that rich aroma floating through your house? The wine is simmered first and then left to steep, which creates a deep, flavorful mulled wine.
Serve it warm with orange slices as a garnish, and all your guests will be so happy! But really, you don’t need a special occasion to whip up a batch.