Authentic German Recipes (2024)

Here’s a collection of authentic German recipes that you can quickly try at home.Rest assured, no hard-to-find ingredients in any of these classic German dishes!

Authentic German Recipes (1)

We’ve only lived in Germany for less than a year, but I’ve grown to love German cuisine from the moment we had our first meal in Frankfurt.

This continually growing list of traditional German recipes is a place for me to share some of my favorite dishes from all the country’s regions.

Just a heads up, there will be quite a lot of potato recipes in here — in fact, most of my favorite German food is with kartoffel. 🙂

Potatoes are such an integral part of German cuisine, so it’s no surprise that you will find a handful of recipes here.

IF YOU WANT TRADITIONAL GERMAN DESSERTS AND PASTRIES, THEN YOU WOULD LOVE THESE POSTS!

  • German Apple Fritters (Apfelküchle)
  • Butterkuchen (German Butter Cake)
Jump to:
  • Popular German food
  • Easy German appetizers
  • Traditional German soups
  • Classic German side dishes

Popular German food

Currywurst (+ Curry Ketchup Recipe)

Authentic German Recipes (4)

Read Recipe Here

It’s arguably the most famous street food in the country.

Although it originated in Berlin, this mouthwatering dish is now available in most major German cities.

The trick in preparing it at home is to get the proper balance of all the flavors in the curry ketchup — which ties all the components of currywurst together in one satisfying bite.

So, give it a try!

How to Cook Bratwurst (+ Serving Ideas)

Authentic German Recipes (5)

Read Recipe Here

Grilling is not the only way to cook these popular German sausages.

You can also fry them in a skillet, or you can bake them in the oven.

This post will guide you on how to go about each method and provide you with ideas on how to serve cooked bratwurst as the locals do.

Serve these bratwurst as appetizers, snacks, or even as a complete meal, with some mashed potatoes and sauerkraut on the side — a typical plate of food in any beer garden in Germany.

Easy German appetizers

Karottensalat (German Carrot Salad)

Authentic German Recipes (6)

Read Recipe Here

Karottensalat is a refreshingly light salad that combines the natural sweetness of carrots with the tanginess of apples.

The orange and lemon juice in the dressing elevates the freshness of this German carrot salad recipe even more — then you get the crunch from the nuts added on top.

It’s a healthy and authentic German recipe for a salad that’s excellent any time of the year.

Kartoffelpuffer (German Potato Pancakes)

Authentic German Recipes (7)

Read Recipe Here

Although classified as an appetizer, I usually don’t eat anything else every time I prepare these German potato pancakes.

Yep, they’re that good.

You don’t believe me? Serve these kartoffelpuffer with applesauce, and I dare you to stop after eating just a couple of them. 🙂

Deliciously fried, grated potatoes — hard to say no to that, eh?

Oh! This classic German food is also great as a side dish for grilled or roasted meat, and kids love them too!

Traditional German soups

Kartoffelsuppe (German Potato Soup)

It’s one of the most popular recipes on my site — which also happens to be a regular in our household.

This kartoffellsuppe is an authentic German soup recipe that’s so delicious and simple to prepare, and you can find all the ingredients you need in your local supermarket.

You will taste the potatoes in every spoonful of this German potato soup, not the cream.

Plus, you’ll get a hint of sweetness coming from the other (root) vegetables.

Savor this classic German food as an appetizer or as a light meal on its own.

Gulaschsuppe (German Goulash Soup)

Authentic German Recipes (9)

Read Recipe Here

Gulaschsuppe is a lighter version of that popular German dish — goulash.

I don’t think that’s lighter in flavor, though.

On the contrary, every spoonful of this goulash soup is packed with that delicious combination of flavors that warms you up.

Make sure you put this traditional German food on your list once the temperature starts to drop. Yum!

German Lentil Soup with Frankfurters

Authentic German Recipes (10)

Read Recipe Here

As you can tell by the name, this traditional German recipe is from Frankfurt.

But I have seen other regions serving this soup, with just about any pork sausage they have.

You get a mix of meat, lentils, and vegetables with every bowl of this flavorful soup.

It might be a bit too heavy as an appetizer, but undoubtedly great to enjoy on its own!

Classic German side dishes

Kartoffelgratin (German Potato Gratin)

Authentic German Recipes (11)

Read Recipe Here

Oven-baked potatoes are always a winner.

You add cream and cheese to that, and I will not eat anything else. 🙂

Potato gratin should not be complicated, and this classic German recipe is a testament to that.It’s not drowning in cream — just enough to bring out the natural creaminess of the potatoes.

Try it, and I am sure it will be a regular on your house for good-old ‘comfort food.’

Apfelmus (German Applesauce)

Authentic German Recipes (12)

Read Recipe Here

This German food is more of a condiment than a side dish.

I initially thought that applesauce is only for desserts.Nope, absolutely not.

You can serve it with boiled beef, roasted or fried meat as well.

Trust me, the slight tanginess in the apfelmus elevates the dish.

Oh!And lastly!It’s an authentic German recipe that you can use as a base flavor and play around by adding your favorite spices or other vegetables and fruits (like horseradish or pear) — endless possibilities indeed!

So, which of these authentic German recipes have you tried, and which one is your favorite? Let me know! 🙂

Authentic German Recipes (13)
  • Traditional German Desserts and Pastries
  • Around the World: Winter Soup Recipes
Authentic German Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is Germany's most famous dish? ›

Of all these regional and national dishes, Germany is most famous for Currywurst, sausages, pretzels and Black Forest Gateau, but as you can see, there is plenty more to German cuisine than just these.

What is the national dish of Germany? ›

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 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.

Which of the top 5 German foods is considered to be the national dish of Germany? ›

Sauerbraten. Sauerbraten is regarded as one Germany's national dishes and there are several regional variations in Franconia, Thuringia, Rhineland, Saarland, Silesia and Swabia. This pot roast takes quite a while to prepare, but the results, often served as Sunday family dinner, are truly worth the work.

What do Germans eat the most? ›

The most popular dishes in Germany

But Italian dishes are. Pizza tops the list in first place, followed by lasagne and then spaghetti bolognaise. Pfannkuchen (pancakes) are fourth on the list and Rouladen only come in fifth.

What is the quintessential German food? ›

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 vegetable is Germany known for? ›

Asparagus is so loved in Germany it is nicknamed "Königsgemüse (King's Vegetable)," "Frühlingswonne (Springtime Delight)," and "Zartes Elfenbein (Soft Ivory)".

What is a typical German lunch? ›

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 do Germans drink for dinner? ›

Beer is deeply embedded in German culture and is frequently enjoyed with various types of meals. Another popular option is mineral water, often carbonated, which is widely consumed alongside meals. Additionally, wine is also a favored choice, especially in regions known for their vineyards.

What do Germans eat for supper? ›

Abendbrot (“evening bread”) is the typical German supper. It is a light meal eaten usually between 18:00 and 19:00 and – like breakfast – consists of full grain bread and rolls, fine cheese, meats and sausages, accompanied by mustard and pickles.

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 best German food to try? ›

Here are 10 of the must-tries.
  • Spätzle. Germans aren't known for their love of pasta but this speciality is well loved by locals and visitors alike. ...
  • Currywurst. ...
  • Bratkartoffeln. ...
  • Schnitzel. ...
  • Rouladen. ...
  • Maultaschen. ...
  • Fischbrötchen. ...
  • Flammkuchen.

What food is unique to Germany? ›

Top 5 foods in Germany
  • Schnitzel. You can find these everywhere in Germany from classy restaurants to street food vendors. ...
  • Spätzle. For a country that is big on their meat, one of the most famous German dishes is Spätzle; which is completely vegetarian. ...
  • Bratwurst. ...
  • Stollen. ...
  • Kartoffelpuffer.
Oct 17, 2016

What is the most popular meat dish in Germany? ›

Wiener schnitzel, a classic dish in German cuisine, is traditionally made with veal and served with a side of German potato salad or sauerkraut. Other popular variations include chicken schnitzel and pork schnitzel. For a twist on the classic, a schnitzel sandwich is a great choice.

What is the main dish in German? ›

Main dish is translated in German by...

Was möchten Sie als Hauptspeise? What would you like as your main dish. Das Hauptspeise wird in Kürze eintreffen. The main dish will arrive shortly.

What's a typical German breakfast? ›

But the Germans like to pull out the stops at breakfast (especially weekend breakfasts). Lots of different cheeses, meats, multiple jams and honey, boiled eggs, fruit and vegetables, smoked fish and of course, every kind of roll or hearty, seeded bread your heart could desire.

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 ...

What is the most important meal in German culture? ›

Lunch is commonly the biggest meal of the day. Normally, a meal will include a type of meat served with vegetables or salad and noodles, rice, potatoes, or bread rolls. Some common home-cooked meals that Germans enjoy for lunch include Schnitzel or Wurst. These are served with a salad and bread or potatoes.

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