Planning a German feast and need the perfect accompaniments? I have exactly what you need to make your party unforgettable.
Here are 21 incredible German side dishes to complete your menu.
1. Pretzels
You know this famous pastry by its unique shape. Bakers form that distinct knot by twisting a long strip of dough until it intertwines.
You can find hard varieties that last a long time or soft ones that taste best immediately. Traditional versions use only salt for seasoning.
Modern recipes might incorporate chocolate or cheese. Some people even use caramel or cinnamon sugar. You can glaze them or top them with seeds and nuts.
2. Gurkensalat (German Cucumber Salad)
This creamy salad is incredibly refreshing. Thinly sliced cucumbers are the main attraction here. You mix them with purple onions and fresh dill.
The dressing combines sour cream with vinegar and sugar for a tangy finish. It pairs beautifully with steak or burgers. This dish works perfectly for summer picnics or backyard parties.
You just mix everything together. Make sure you refrigerate it for four hours so the cucumbers absorb all the flavors.
3. Kartoffelpuffer (Potato Pancakes)
Saying the name of this dish is almost as fun as eating it. These potato pancakes appear frequently in restaurants and as street food.
Cooks make them using flour and eggs mixed with shredded raw potatoes. You shape the batter into round discs like regular pancakes. Fry them in a pan until they turn golden.
Serve them alongside sausages or stews. You can also enjoy them as a main meal with fruit preserves or sour cream.
4. Semmelknödel
These dumplings are a brilliant way to use stale bread. You can use old baguettes or rolls for the base.
Soften the bread with hot milk before adding eggs and onions. Season the mixture with parsley and nutmeg plus salt and pepper.
You can serve them plain or pan fry them until they brown. They appear often at Christmas dinners alongside roast meats. The bread texture soaks up gravy or mushroom sauce perfectly.
5. Kartoffelsalat (Potato Salad)
This classic dish differs greatly from the American version you know. You leave the peels on the potatoes for this recipe.
The dressing uses bacon grease and vinegar instead of mayonnaise. It has a thick and tangy consistency.
You serve this salad warm rather than chilled. It is the absolute best side dish for bratwurst.
6. Cheese Spread
This recipe might not be strictly traditional but it tastes amazing. The spread works wonders as a topping for pretzels or brats.
You start with cubes of sharp cheddar cheese. Add beer and Worcestershire sauce to the mix. Garlic and mustard provide extra kick.
Blend everything until the mixture becomes smooth and thick.
7. Kartoffelbrei (Mashed Potatoes)
These mashed potatoes deserve more attention. They might not be as famous as fried potatoes but they taste just as good.
You whip them vigorously to create a silky consistency. Heavy cream and butter give them a luxurious richness.
Chopped parsley adds a nice burst of color. The texture is incredibly smooth.
8. Rotkohl (German Red Cabbage)
This vibrant dish features sautéed red cabbage. You mix in onions and shredded apples for sweetness.
Drench the ingredients in dark red wine. Simmer the mixture until the liquid reduces into a thick sauce.
It has a similar profile to sauerkraut but tastes less pungent. Serve it alongside savory sausages or pasta.
9. Himmel und Erde
The name of this dish translates to heaven and earth. It is a unique variation on standard mashed potatoes. You pair the creamy potatoes with apple sauce.
Tradition dictates serving this with blood sausage. Some people call that version heaven, earth, and hell. You can also use it as a side for other meat dishes.
10. Leipziger Allerlei (Mixed Vegetables)
This vegetable medley comes from the city of Leipzig. It includes peas and carrots mixed with asparagus. You also add cauliflower and kohlrabi to the blend.
The recipe incorporates morel mushrooms and crayfish tails. Bread dumplings make it even heartier.
Everything gets covered in a rich butter sauce. Finish the dish with some fresh parsley.
11. Nudeln (Noodles)
Pasta enjoys huge popularity in German cuisine. Locals love noodles just as much as people in Italy or Asia do.
You typically serve these noodles with hearty sauces. They act as a perfect base for meat dishes.
12. Sauerkraut
This might be the most famous German side dish of all. It consists of fermented cabbage with a distinct tang. The flavor is pungent and definitely an acquired taste.
It pairs exceptionally well with savory sausages and meats. I love bringing it along on camping trips. It contains beneficial bacteria similar to what you find in yogurt.
13. Grüne Bohnen (German Green Beans)
This simple dish starts with blanched green beans. You fry breadcrumbs in butter to add texture.
The combination might seem unusual at first. However, the buttery crumbs add a delicious crunch. It gives the beans a rich and satisfying flavor.
14. Pellkartoffeln (Boiled Potatoes)
This dish features potatoes boiled with their skins on. Keeping the skin intact boosts both flavor and nutrition.
You scrub them thoroughly to remove any dirt. Boil them in salted water with caraway seeds or bay leaves.
Eat them plain or with plenty of butter. They also serve as the base for potato salad and fried potatoes.
15. Kroketten (Also Mashed Potatoes)
Imagine mashed potatoes taken to the next level. You coat the potatoes in breadcrumbs and deep fry them.
The result is incredibly rich and satisfying. This side dish is hearty enough to satisfy any appetite.
16. Spaetzle (Pasta)
This pasta variety comes from the Swabia region. The dough consists of eggs mixed with flour and milk.
You push the dough through colander holes into boiling water. The resulting small dumplings get a generous coating of butter.
You can top them with cheese or sauce. They vary in shape from long and thin to short and chubby.
17. Salzkartoffeln (Also Boiled Potatoes)
Think of this as a refined version of boiled potatoes. You cook them in water infused with parsley and salt. The result is smooth and silky.
This side dish works best with light meals. It makes an excellent companion for fish.
18. Pommes (French Fries)
These are the German version of french fries. They stand as the most popular street food side in the country.
You will often see them served alongside schnitzel. That crispy texture pairs perfectly with the tender fried meat.
19. Klösse (Potato Balls)
These savory potato balls are bite-sized delights. You make them by combining mashed potatoes with shredded ones.
You boil the mixture after shaping it into spheres. Some regional versions hide croutons in the center.
They do an excellent job of soaking up sauce. Serve them with plenty of gravy and meat.
20. Kartoffelklöße or Kartoffelknödel
This particular dumpling variety is famously popular in Bavaria and the Rhineland. You will also find it commonly served in Thuringia.
Cooks prepare these using cooked potatoes or raw ones. Sometimes they use a combination of both types. They make a comforting addition to any hearty meal.