German Food Recipes: 23 Classic Dishes (2024)

FAQs

What is a classic German 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.

Sauerbraten. Sauerbraten is a traditional German dish that literally translates to “sour roast”, and is often regarded as the national dish of the country. As the name suggests, this dish is made from heavily marinated meat, usually beef, lamb, pork, or venison.

Sauerbraten. Germans love their meat dishes, and Sauerbraten (meaning 'sour' or 'pickled' roast) is one of the country's national dishes. You can make a pot roast by using many different types of meat, which you marinate in wine, vinegar, spices, herbs, and then season for up to ten days.

Schnitzel, sauerbraten, and sauerkraut are indeed popular. Schnitzel, a breaded and fried meat cutlet, is enjoyed across the country. Sauerbraten, a pot roast marinated in a sweet and sour sauce, is a classic. Sauerkraut, fermented cabbage, is a common side dish.

Traditional German fare is hearty, stick-to-your-ribs delicious, and beckons to be enjoyed with a pilsner, helles, or kölsch — and friends! 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.

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.

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.

Along with these veggies and meat, cake, coffee, and beer are staples in German cuisine too. Called Mittagessen, German people consume lunch between 12 pm to 2 pm. A typical German lunch usually consists of meat and fish served with potatoes, rice, German noodles, vegetables, and sometimes rolls.

Bratwurst (German: [ˈbʁaːtvʊʁst]) is a type of German sausage made from pork or, less commonly, beef or veal.

What is Germany's favorite drink? ›

Most purchased and consumed beverages in Germany 2021-2023

Mineral water is by far the most purchased and consumed beverage in Germany. Around 86 percent of the population bought it in 2023. Germans are known for their preference of fizzy drinking water.

Conscious eating is trendy, and not just in the context of Veganuary. The consumption of fresh and processed vegetables in Germany has once again gone up last year - to a total of 109 kg per capita.

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.

These delicious holiday recipes represent typical German Christmas food. 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.

But the breakfast is pretty basic. Bread rolls (we call them Kaiser rolls in New Jersey, ha-ha), cheese, cold cuts, butter, a boiled egg and coffee. There's also marmalade, quark, Nutella, liverwurst and jams for the bread. There's also müesli if you prefer.