01 of 15
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.
02 of 15
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.
03 of 15
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.
04 of 15
German Beef Rouladen
Germanrouladen 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, preferably homemade spaetzle, on the side.
05 of 15
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.
06 of 15
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.
07 of 15
German-Style Mustard Pork Chops
These German-style mustard pork chops highlight one of Germany's favorite condiments. Dredged in seasoned flour then fried before covered in a wine and mustard sauce, this hearty one-pan meal packs a punch without taking a lot of time or complicated work.
08 of 15
Milchreis (German Rice Pudding)
Many countries in the world have their own take on rice pudding and Germany is no exception. For a satisfying and hearty dessert, combine short-grain rice, vanilla, milk, and sugar into a creamy, satisfying sweet. Milchreis takes just minutes to cook up on the stove and comes out wonderfully.
Continue to 9 of 15 below.
09 of 15
Alsatian Apple Cake
The Alsatian apple cake has a shortbread-like crust filled with apple slices and vanilla cream for a rich and creamy fall treat. It also doesn't require any fancy ingredients, so you may even have the goods in your kitchen already.
10 of 15
German Christmas Cardamom Cookies
With its spicy, slightly medicinal taste, cardamom first appeared in folk remedies in the Middle Ages. Today, bakers use it to flavor desserts like these distinctly floral rolled German cookies that you may enjoy as part of a Christmas platter or anytime you want a unique pick-me-up.
11 of 15
Jaegerschnitzel with Mushroom Sauce
Jaegerschnitzelorjägerschnitzel—also known as "hunter's cutlets" in English—refers to a thinly-pounded pan-fried meat cutlet with a creamy mushroom sauce. Lots of variations exist, so feel free to mix it up once you master the basics. Pork tastes great, but chicken or veal cutlets work, too.
12 of 15
German Sausage and Sauerkraut
Kielbasa, Knockwurst, or your favorite smoked German sausage pairs with sauerkraut and veggies in this German casserole that will stick to your ribs on a chilly or dreary evening. Caraway seeds give it a slightly herbal note that just begs for some rye bread on the side.
Continue to 13 of 15 below.
13 of 15
German Fried Meat Patties
Use up old rolls with this fried meat pattie, or frikadellen, recipe that really hits the spot with a cold lager, a side salad, and roast potatoes. Ground beef or chopped bacon or pork works well, as does day-old white bread. If you don't have any, cooked oatmeal would give it a little extra nutrition as a substitute.
14 of 15
Fluffy German Pancake
Also known as Dutch babies, this fluffy giant German pancake will turn breakfast or brunch into an occasion. The pancake puffs up like a souffle while baking, but will deflate pretty quickly once it cools. Serve it with fruit or omit the sugar and add savory ingredients like ham or bacon.
15 of 15
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
For the German answer to comfort food, turn to kohlrouladen, or German stuffed cabbage rolls. This recipe calls for ground beef, but you can use any chopped meat in the filling that you like. Tomato sauce would add a little extra flavor to the stuffing, if you prefer.
FAQs
Beyond Pretzels and Bratwurst: 15 Classic German Recipes You Should Know? ›
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 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 is the traditional German diet? ›The traditional German diet is hearty and heavy, with potatoes, meats, breads and beer as its focal point. While every region of the country puts its own spin on the classic dishes, a focus on potatoes, serving meat with fruits instead of vegetables and drinking locally crafted beers are hallmarks of this diet.
What is the number one dish in Germany? ›Sauerbraten. Germans love their meat dishes, and Sauerbraten (meaning 'sour' or 'pickled' roast) is one of the country's national dishes.
What is Germany's signature dish? ›Sauerbraten is regarded as one Germany's national dishes and there are several regional variations in Franconia, Thuringia, Rhineland, Saarland, Silesia and Swabia.
What do Germans eat for Christmas? ›Treat guests to a traditional German Christmas dinner with classic dishes like roasted goose legs, braised red cabbage. and dumplings, and don't forget the mulled wine and platter of gorgeous, festive cookies.
What do Germans eat for 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 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 kind of cheese do Germans eat? ›- Mozzarella – the versatile superstar. The Italians' favourite and indispensable in Germany too. ...
- Gouda – the forefather of the finest cheese indulgence. One of the oldest and most popular types of cheese! ...
- Emmental – the classic with “holes in the cheese”
The story behind currywurst, Germany's favourite fast food. Currywurst, the beloved German snack, was created in the late 1940s.
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 is German stomach dish? ›Saumagen ([zaʊ̯ˈmaːɡŋ̩], "sow's stomach") is a German dish popular in the Palatinate. The dish is similar to a sausage in that it consists of a stuffed casing; however, the stomach itself is integral to the dish. It is not as thin as a typical sausage casing (intestines or artificial casing).
What do Germans eat when sick? ›Pretzel sticks, rusk and Coca-Cola
Here's another tip-off to nearby illness: Twice-baked bread biscuits called "Zwieback" or fistfuls of pretzel sticks. Germans consume them en masse after diarrhea or vomiting. They would add that it all goes down best with Coca-Cola classic.
Germans tend to eat three meals a day but sometimes, they make an exception for Kaffeezeit, which literally means 'coffee time'. Also referred to as Kaffee und Kuchen, (coffee and cake), this is when – as the name suggests – people enjoy a coffee with a slice of cake.
What is a typical German menu? ›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 are the three main meals in Germany? ›Meals in Germany
First of all, we'll take a look at Germany's three main meals in the day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Additionally, we'll take a look at some of the food themed quirks, zoom in on food at work and talk about some standout dishes.
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 the most popular meat in Germany? ›The average annual meat consumption is 59.7 kg (132 lb) per person. The most common varieties are pork, poultry, and beef. Other varieties of meat are widely available, but are considered to be insignificant. Meat is usually braised; fried dishes also exist, but these recipes usually originate from France and Austria.