The following highlights some of the popular Traditional German Foods. If you manage to be in an German restaurant or you are visiting Germany, I recommend the following:
1. Schnitzel
Although a schnitzel is more of an Austrian dish, it is extremely popular in Germany. Wiener Schnitzel, a cutlet coated in breadcrumbs with cheese and ham, is often accompanied by potato salad. Although not as complex as some of the other dishes on this list, it is one of the favourite recipes in these two European countries.
2. Hasenpfeffer
Bite-sized parts of the rabbit, which are often too small to roast, are cooked with onions and wine for hours to produce this delicious stew. The marinade is made with wine and vinegar, and then thickened with the rabbit’s blood. Hase means ‘hare’ in German and pfeffer means ‘pepper’, although the culinary context refers generically to the spices and seasonings in the dish in general.
3. Apfelkuchen
A kind of German apple pie that is simply delicious. Apples are soaked in sugar, cinnamon and a little lemon juice and then baked in a buttery cake mixture. Sultanas are put in before baking and the cake cooks quickly and is then served with a large cup of coffee.
4. Sauerbraten
Sauerbraten (meaning ‘sour’ or ‘pickled’) is a roast meat that is considered one of the country’s national dishes. It can be made from many different meats, which are marinated in wine, vinegar, spices, herbs and seasonings for up to 10 days. Schweinebraten is a delicious roast pork dish that is usually served with braised cabbage or sauerkraut and dumplings (knoedel), and washed down with a pilsner beer.
5. Kartoffelpuffer
Kartoffelpuffer are thin pancakes made from grated or mashed potatoes mixed with flour, egg, onion and seasoning. You can enjoy them savoury as an accompaniment to a main course of meat or fish, or sweet with apple sauce, cranberries, sugar and cinnamon. Look for them at open-air markets in the winter.
6. Brezeln
Brezel are soft, white brezels made from flour and yeast water and sprinkled with salt (and sometimes different seeds). They are ideal as a side dish or snack, especially with a strong German beer. They can be found in all bakeries and on street stalls, sold on their own, sliced and buttered (butterbrezel) or with slices of sausage or cheese.
7. Schweinshaxe
Schweinshaxe or pork knuckle is a typical Oktoberfest dish that you will find not only in restaurants and beer halls in Bavaria, but also at almost every German folk festival. This dish is usually served with vegetables, sauerkraut and other classic German side dishes. This pork knuckle is crispy on the outside and very tender on the inside, a German delicacy that goes very well with a cold beer.
8. Bratwurst
One of the most popular street foods in Germany is bratwurst. They are a type of fresh sausage, typically made with pork and beef and seasoned with ginger, nutmeg, coriander or caraway. It is served grilled with slightly crispy skin and loaded with mustard and ketchup. It can also be eaten with sauerkraut and mustard, or simply on a bun.
9. Rinderroulade
It consists of a thinly rolled and stuffed veal fillet. The inside traditionally contains bacon, onion and gherkins, all previously cooked. It is usually eaten with a side dish of potato (in any of its forms) or with spätzle, a type of German-style pasta which we will talk about below. Nowadays, rouladen is more of a recipe for special occasions.
10. Sauerkraut
Known as sauerkraut beyond Germany’s borders, this exquisite preparation, although its appearance does not suggest it, is nothing more than finely chopped cabbage fermented in water and salt. It is the obligatory accompaniment to almost all dishes, especially meat and sausages. And it is always good to point out that it is a very healthy food.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional European Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.