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!
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!
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Popular German food
Currywurst (+ Curry Ketchup Recipe)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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
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)
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.’
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! 🙂
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