German food makes good use of brats (sausages) and potatoes, but there is much more to traditional German cuisine. For one thing, veggies play a huge role in German food, and the cuisine is famous for veggies that last for a long time in cold storage, such as cabbage and potatoes.
In October, many families of German descent celebrate Oktoberfest, the traditional German festival. Even if you’re not German, you can still enjoy the fun, delicious food, and beer that makes Oktoberfest a beloved community tradition. German food is much more than beer and brats, though, and these recipes prove that.
You’ll find classic traditional German dishes from savory to sweet so you can bust one out for any occasion.
German food is known for being on the heavier side but you’ll be surprised at all the different spices and flavors packed in each recipe.
You won’t even have to spend all night in the kitchen with these traditional German food recipes either. You’ll have them finished in time to enjoy your afternoon with the family.
It doesn’t matter if this is your first time cooking popular German food or it’s been in your family for generations, these recipes are easy to follow and taste just like the real thing.
Pick out your favorite German meals from below and get started cooking your family a hearty meal that is sure to please their palate.
What else would you dip into your cheese spread than a soft German pretzel?
It’s amazing what you can do with just a little bit of flour and yeast, and this recipe from Germany really gives you the complete authentic experience.
You’ll realize why taking the time to make your own pretzel is better than anything you’ve ever bought in a store.
You might think you’ve had Quark before because it looks just like yogurt, but this German recipe is much different.
It’s like a non-fermented cheese and goes well with a ton of different recipes or you could even have some of it on its own.
Quark is also known as tvaroh, or tvorog, which means cottage cheese in the Slavic languages.
Quark was first made thousands of years ago but the recipe still holds true today and it’s one of those easy German recipes you can whip up in no time.
You’ll find red cabbage in a ton of German recipes but you’re probably not too familiar with this one.
This German braised cabbage is really easy to make and leaves out a lot of unnecessary steps that other recipes use so it’s perfect for us peeps who are low on time.
The great thing about this dish is you can leave it cooking on the stove for an extended period of time which means you’ll have some free time to get some other errands done.
When it’s that time of year there’s only one thing you’re going to want: Springle cookies.
These German recipes are a time-honored tradition that has been around for years and there’s a really good reason these are so popular.
Not only do they taste amazing but they also make for great gifts as well so you can always package them up and give them as presents to anyone who needs a sweet pick-me-up.
This is one of those recipes that takes a little while because you have to let the dough rest for about an hour before rolling it out but once you’re done you’ll have some amazing cookies to enjoy.
If you’re short on time and need a quick dinner recipe, stick with this Spatzle dish.
The noodles get all nice and tender while the sauce makes this a full-blown meal.
This is one of those recipes that you don’t have to worry about being complicated or taking forever. It’s something that will be ready in as little as 15 minutes so you can feed everyone without any issues.
You won’t have another pancake that is as easy to make as these German pancakes.
The dish actually looks more like a French toast meal than it does a pancake. It has a slightly crispy outside while the inside remains soft and fluffy.
The best part is you can throw strawberries, blueberries, apples, or any other kind of fruit on top and it will still taste fantastic.
The dish is best served with powdered sugar on top, but that’s completely optional if you don’t want to go through the trouble.
When the warm weather starts to permeate the air, it’s time for some grilled German pork chops.
Here you’re getting a recipe that is going to make everyone in the family happy because it’s something you can prepare indoors with the grill pan and also outdoors when you have a bunch of friends over.
You’ll want to let these marinade for a little while before popping them on the grill so all the flavors come together and make your mouth water.
The great thing about this dish is it’s perfect for summer picnics too because you can bring the ingredients with you to grill right on site. They’re also easy to transport which means they’re perfect for potlucks too.
If you’ve never had semolina pudding before it’s like a silkier version of rice pudding.
The best part is, it doesn’t matter if the semolina mixture overcooks, because that just gives it a more gooey texture that most people love for this German dessert.
You can choose to add different toppings like sliced almonds, raisins, or cranberries but keep in mind they’ll all add their own unique twist.
This is German cooking you can make in no time and it’s just as good as grandma used to make.
Forget what you know about pie, this German onion pie is here to change the game up.
The filling in this German recipe has so many different ingredients you’ll never guess what they all are, but once you take one bite of this decadent dish you won’t care.
There’s so much cheesy goodness in here that even if you’re not a fan of onions you’ll still want to dig in and see what’s going on.
There are lots of savory bacon pieces too so this dish will fill everyone up and make them feel satisfied when the forks are on the table.
German desserts are well known and when you’re in the mood for something sweet, this German chocolate pie is going to be your new go-to recipe.
Not only does it have that delicious German chocolate flavor but it also has a layer of coconut right on top that ties everything together perfectly.
The crust gets all nice and flaky while the filling provides a really smooth texture that will have everyone asking for an extra slice, or two.
You can also experiment with different toppings to mix things up a little bit. Chocolate chips are always a good idea but you could try out some other fun flavors as well.
Even if you have had sauerkraut before, you’ve never had this delicious German cuisine soup before.
All the ingredients that make this soup fill it up with flavors that will tickle those taste buds.
You can choose to serve the soup with bacon or sausage on top but be sure not to use too much salt because the sauerkraut already has enough to give the soup a perfect balance.
It’s the perfect one to make when the weather starts getting chilly outside and you want something to warm you up.
Having one bite of this rouladen recipe is going to make you want to rush right back into the kitchen and cook up another round.
This one is a German recipe with lots of history behind it. During the First World War, soldiers used this as their meal before heading out for battle.
Of course, all that stress isn’t why we love this today but rather because it’s just so good.
You’ll have to spend some extra time getting the meat ready but it’s all for a great cause because once that’s done you can just throw them into the crockpot until they’re tender.
There are tons of ways you can customize this recipe with different toppings and sides so experiment a little and find your favorite.
Germans, like many other cultures, realized the importance of pickling food and this recipe really gives you a technique you can use for lots of different veggies.
Now you can make your own pickled beets to add to a number of different foods, like sandwiches, salads, or even as a side to some protein.
It doesn’t hurt that beets are great for your health and eating them can actually help to lower your blood pressure.
The classic German cooking recipe, schnitzel, is a staple in most German homes.
Most of the time you’ll find it served with a side of mashed potato and some vegetables on the side but it can also be accompanied by noodles or even rice.
It won’t take you much time to make this classic either, you’ll have the dish ready in 30 minutes and still have time for dessert.
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
