what are some traditional german dishes

Traditional German meat dishes are generally soaked in creamy sauces, buttery rolls and baked squashes. Some of the famous German meat dishes are: Roast Beef Stew (Sauerbraten

): It is a delicious meat stew marinated in vinegar and different spices. This beef stew is generally served with boiled potatoes or potato dumplings and red cabbage.

Full Answer

What is the number 1 food in Germany?

1. Spätzle – Traditional Swabian Egg Noodles. It might come as a surprise, but the most famous German food, Spätzle, is completely vegetarian. Spätzle are a kind of pasta, but the dough only consists of eggs, flour, salt and a hint of sparkling water (in order to fluff up the dough).

What are the top five German foods?

Top 5 foods in GermanySchnitzel. 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.

What is a traditional German breakfast?

A German breakfast consists of hearty Brot (breads) and Brötchen (rolls), decorated with butter, sweet jams and local honey, thinly sliced meats, cheese and even some Leberwurst.

What is German comfort food?

German cuisine is big on comfort foods! With an emphasis on meat and potatoes, German cooking feels familiar, like much of American comfort food; but its focus on sweet and sour flavors is strictly German. You'll enjoy it in popular German dishes like sauerbraten, which combines a sour marinade with a sweet sauce.

What is the most popular dessert in Germany?

Black Forest Cake is perhaps Germany's most well-known and most-loved cake. It consists of a chocolate cake with a filling of fresh cream and cherries soaked in Kirschwasser, a clear cherry schnaps that is a specialty in the Black Forest. The cake is decorated with cream, chocolate shavings and cherries.

What is the most popular drink in Germany?

Most purchased and consumed beverages in Germany 2019-2021. Mineral water is by far the most purchased and consumed beverage in Germany. Over 86 percent of the population bought it in 2021. Germans are known for their preference of fizzy drinking water.

1. German Soft Pretzel

What else would you dip into your cheese spread than a soft German pretzel?

2. Quark

You might think you’ve had Quark before because it looks just like yogurt, but this German recipe is much different.

3. Currywurst

You’ll find currywurst on every popular street in Germany and it’s something you need to try out while you’re there.

4. Zurich Ragout

Zurich Ragout is a traditional German dish that is packed with unique flavors that will make you feel like you’re in the home country.

5. German Red Cabbage

You’ll find red cabbage in a ton of German recipes but you’re probably not too familiar with this one.

7. German Bread Dumplings

If you’ve ever had regular dumplings then you’re in for a real treat with these German bread dumplings.

8. German Potato Pancakes

If you’ve never had a potato pancake before they are just like their name says, pancakes made with potatoes.

East Prussia

East Prussia, as Germany's easternmost province, was very often influenced by the cuisines of its surrounding neighbours: Russia and Lithuania to the northeast, and Poland to the south. The Russian borscht was adapted to the East Prussian palate, and Polish sausages were frequently found on the dinner table.

Saxony-Anhalt

Typical for very traditional dishes from Saxony-Anhalt is the combination of bitter or hearty meat dish with sweet. Sweet pancakes in Green bean soup for example are the cause of many jokes.

Silesia

When Silesia was German, the influence of neighboring countries was clear in Silesian cooking; Polish carp and cheeses, Bohemian goulash, Austrian sausage and Pfefferkuchen (pepper cakes). Schnapps was very commonly drunk with beer in Silesia. There was an old saying that went "Silesia has two principal rivers, Schnapps and the river Oder".

1. Königsberger klopse

Named after the former East Prussian capital of Königsberg (now Kaliningrad in Russia), this tasty dish of meatballs in a creamy white sauce with capers is beloved by grandmothers and chefs alike.

3. Labskaus

Labskaus is not the most visually appealing dish, but a delectable mess that represents the seafaring traditions of northern Germany like no other. In the 18th and 19th centuries, ship provisions were mostly preserved fare, and the pink slop of labskaus was a delicious way of preparing them.

5. Currywurst

Practically synonymous with German cuisine since 1945, currywurst is commonly attributed to Herta Heuwer, a Berlin woman who in 1949 managed to obtain ketchup and curry powder from British soldiers, mixed them up and served the result over grilled sausage, instantly creating a German street food classic.

6. Döner kebab

Döner kebab was introduced to Germany by Turkish immigrant workers coming here in the 1960s and '70s. One of the earliest street sellers was Kadir Nurman, who started offering döner kebab sandwiches at West Berlin's Zoo Station in 1972, from the where the dish first took both West and East Berlin by storm and then the rest of Germany.

7. Schnitzel

German? Austrian? Italian? Whatever the origins, schnitzel is wildly popular.

8. Käsespätzle

Spätzle originally come from Baden-Württemberg. Essentially a sort of pasta, the noodles are a simple combination of eggs, flour, salt and often a splash of fizzy water to fluff up the dough.

9. Rouladen

Rouladen is a delicious blend of bacon, onions, mustard and pickles wrapped together in sliced beef or veal. Vegetarian and other meat options are also now widely available but the real deal is rinderrouladen (beef rouladen), a popular dish in western Germany and the Rhine region.

Go Beyond Bratwurst and Pretzels

A journalist, writer, and author, Lizz Schumer has 10+ years of experience covering food and drink for a wide variety of well-known print and online publications.

Quark (Classic German Cheese)

Favored in much of Europe, but somewhat hard to find in the U.S., quark can be made at home with little money and effort. You can make it even more easily than yogurt, as a fun afternoon project that can teach the kids where cheese comes from. Eat it with fruit or however you may enjoy cottage cheese.

German Potato Noodles

If you have leftover spuds, use them up by making badische schupfnudeln, or potato noodles. Browning them in butter gives them a delightfully toasty crust that tastes wonderful alongside schnitzel or any roast protein.

Butternocken (Tasty Butter Dumplings)

Just five ingredients stand between you and these delightful little butter dumplings. Butternocken are incredibly easy to make, even for beginners. You can also make ahead and freeze them, for later adding to any stew or soup that need a little extra something.

German Beef Rouladen

German rouladen tastes like a special occasion, but doesn't require any fancy cuts or techniques. Just thin slices of beef browned, then braised in a simple red wine sauce would sub in for your typical roast on a Sunday evening. Serve it with potatoes or noodles on the side.

Simple Baked Fish With Apple

Catholics commonly eat fish on Ash Wednesday and throughout the Lent season, but this basic fish with apples tastes great all year round. In true German fashion, this simple baked fish with apple recipe does not shy away from bold flavors, with sinus-clearing horseradish as one of the main ingredients. Apple adds a hint of balancing sweetness.

Zurich Ragout (Zurcher Geschnetzelter)

While the may sound like a mouthful, the traditional veal stew Zurich ragout sure tastes wonderful. Consisting of veal, pork loin, or chicken, and mushrooms smothered in a creamy white sauce with parsley and lemon zest, it makes a lovely supper alongside a German white wine.

It doesn't have to be Oktoberfest to celebrate German cooking. Here are our best German recipes passed down by generations of home cooks

It doesn't have to be Oktoberfest to celebrate German cooking. Here are our best German recipes passed down by generations of home cooks.

Country Potato Pancakes

Potato pancakes, or latkes, are really versatile. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, they can be a side dish for just about any meal or the main course for a light meal. We have them often at our house. —Lydia Robotewskyj, Franklin, Wisconsin

Oma's Apfelkuchen (Grandma's Apple Cake)

My husband’s German family calls this Oma’s apfelkuchen, which translates to "Grandma’s apple cake." They’ve been sharing the recipe for more than 150 years. I use Granny Smith apples, but any variety works. —Amy Kirchen, Loveland, Ohio

German Potato Dumplings

Potato dumplings (called Kartoffel Kloesse in Germany) are a delightful addition to any German feast. The browned butter sauce is delectable.—Arline Hofland, Deer Lodge, Montana

Authentic German Potato Salad

This authentic German potato salad recipe came from Speck’s Restaurant, which was a famous eating establishment in St. Louis from the 1920s through the ‘50s. I ate lunch there almost every day and always ordered the potato salad.

Bavarian Pot Roast

Since all my grandparents were German, it's no wonder that so many Bavarian recipes have been handed down to me. Because the Midwest has such a large German population, I feel this recipe represents the area well. —Susan Robertson, Hamilton, Ohio

Oktoberfest Red Cabbage

Four generations of our family have made this dish of red cabbage and apples, known as rotkohl ("red cabbage"). We love the tart and sweet flavors. —Diana Likes, Chandler, Arizona

1. Bratwurst (Grilled Sausage)

Think about traditional German food, and you probably think about bratwurst. Bratwurst is sausages made with ground pork, veal, or beef. The sausages are then pan-fried or roasted until they are crispy.

2. Schnitzel (Breaded Cutlet)

A schnitzel is a thin piece of meat pounded into a flat slice. You then bread the meat before frying it. You can eat deep-fried or pan-fried schnitzel. In Germany, they use mainly pork as the meat of choice.

3. Brezeln (Pretzel)

A Brezel (or Brezeln) is better known in English as a pretzel. It is a pastry made of wheat dough that you then tie into a knot.

4. Braised Cabbage

Braised cabbage is a very popular German food. German food recipes differ, though most combine cabbage with broth and vegetables for added flavor.

5. Labskaus

Labskaus is a beef dish. German sailors in the 18th century developed it, and it became popular amongst many people on land. Try making your own Labskaus at home with this easy-to-follow recipe.

6. German Potato Salad

The most infamous German ingredient is potatoes. There are many German potato varieties because southern Germany is an area conducive to potato cultivation. Many Bavarians have come up with a range of recipes, using everything they have at their disposal.

7. Bratkartoffeln (Fried Potatoes)

Bratkartoffeln is also known as German fries. The term literally means, “fried potatoes,” and it is a good recipe for less-experienced chefs.

1. Staple Meat Dishes

Germans love meat to the extent that it is almost a staple food for them. You can find meat dishes in their midday and evening meals accompanied with beer. And sometimes you can see meat preparations even in the breakfast menu. Traditional German meat dishes are generally soaked in creamy sauces, buttery rolls and baked squashes.

2. Traditional German Sausages

When it is traditional German food, sausages cannot be left out. You will be surprised to know but more than 1500 different types of sausages are made in Germany. Different places will offer you different types of sausages. For instance, areas around Berlin is famous for steamed pork sausages.

3. Side Dishes

Potato is one of the most important staple diets of the Germans. Germans came to know about potatoes in around the 17th century and became an avoidable part of the German cuisine by the 19th Century.

1. German fried potatoes

One of the most popular German vegetable dishes is the Bratkartoffeln, otherwise known as German fried potatoes. There are no records on where this dish came from exactly, these German potato dishes were listed in various cookbooks around the 1870s.

2. Zurich Ragout

We love a good stew dish. The Zurich ragout is one of the German main dishes that are easy to prepare and you cannot go wrong with this, whether it’s for a chilled night in or a housewarming party. Of course, if you want that traditional German food taste, it is best to try it in Germany.

3. German Potato Pancakes

This is probably the most simple dish on our list of German dishes and German side dishes. The Kartoffelpuffer aka the German potato pancakes is one of the German vegetable dishes that can be served alone or with some sort of meat.

4. German Pancakes

As you may know by now from previous articles, I love desserts. My favourite dessert is probably pancakes, in any form. This popular German food is just one of the many popular German dishes to be served after you’ve had one of the previous German main dishes. Where do German pancakes come from?

5. Sauerkraut Soup

Soups are like a blanket for the soul. They will warm you up from the inside, make you feel relaxed. One of the German vegetable dishes is German Saurkraut Soup. The Saurkraut means sour pickled cabbage. As you can imagine, this traditional German food is mainly made of the pickled cabbage.

6. German Schnitzel

You might be wondering what is the difference between Austrian and German Schnitzel. Truth be told, there’s no difference. They are made the same way. The original recipe is known to be made with veal and “ Wienerschnitzel ” is a geographically protected term within Austria and Germany.

7. Sauerbraten

This Sauerbraten popular German food is one of the German main dishes that originated from Julius Caesar who sent beef marinated in wine from Rome to the new Roman colon of Cologne. Later it was Saint Albert the Great of Cologne who crafted the recipe in the 13th century. The original recipe is believed to be made with horse meat instead of beef.