The German Recipes Guide
This German Recipes Guide is for all our foodie fans because this month we’re talking about Germany’s fabulous food culture and our favorite recipes. Take your taste buds on a trip and treat yourself to some of our favorite meals for everyday occasions. Try some traditional recipes that have lovingly been preserved by many generations. There is plenty to choose from, so here are some more food tips and ideas!
We love food and it is an important part of our own travel culture. Today we want to share with you our thoughts on German food and more importantly our top 10 German recipes so you can explore traditional German food on your own. These are recipes that have been handed down for years and most come back to a fabulous lady named Oma who lives in the U.S. and yet still concentrates on old fashioned German food.
You will find that a huge majority of recipes on Pinterest that are German related trace back to her. Here is a link to her website if you find that you like our recipes then make use of her great library of other German Recipes.
German Cooking History
Read about the different methods and history of German Food, it will help you prepare better meals. Germany’s food has grown as cuisine for centuries and little has been changed. Like many areas of Europe, the recipes are adapted to the popular good grown in the region. For centuries people only had the local foods to eat before importing and so the recipes are derived from those sources and are very regional.
For example, mountain recipes in Germany will be far different from coastal regions. Because of this diversity, the food options in Germany are for the most part unlimited.
Now on to the German recipes, we hope you try them all and let us know which are your favorites along with any tweaks you might have made.
1 German Recipes for Sauerbraten
Photo and Recipe Courtesy of Quick German Recipes
Authentic German sauerbraten is so easy to make, but it’s NOT quick … it takes time to marinate and to cook. It just means that you need to do some planning to allow several days for the marinating to take place.
But, it’s SO good and SO worth the time. It’s so easy to make, especially using a crockpot, aka, a slow cooker. The slow cooker makes this tender marinated meat ever more tender. It’s a traditional German dinner and still is a favorite.
However, if you wish, you can cook it on the stovetop instead. Whichever way you choose, you’ll be thrilled with the tenderness and the flavor.
2. Bavarian Pot Roast
Photo and German Recipes Courtesy of Susan Robertson, Hamilton, Ohio, and Taste of Home
Since all of 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.
3. Asparagus With Shrimp and Wild Garlic Hollandaise
Photo and German Recipes Courtesy of German Foods
Spargel mit Bärlauch-Hollandaise – (Spargel mit Bärlauch-Hollandaise) A lovely main dish of white asparagus with wild garlic hollandaise sauce, topped with sauteed shrimp and tomatoes, and garnished with fresh thyme.
4. Rouladen
Photo and German Recipes Courtesy of Living the Life
This typical German food involves wrapping thinly sliced meat – usually beef but also veal or pork – around a filling of bacon or pork belly, chopped onions, pickles and usually mustard, and then browned and simmered in broth (braised). The mixture changes between regions, with some variations including minced meat. It is common to serve this dish with gravy, dumplings, mashed potato or blaukraut (cooked red cabbage). This was a common dish using cheap meats. Now, it’s now eaten at festivals, weekends and family meals.
5. Jaeger Schnitzel
Photo and German Recipes Courtesy of All Recipes
Crispy breaded pork cutlets served with rich mushroom gravy – that’s Jaegerschnitzel. And it’s one of Germany’s most popular and delicious foods. This authentic Jägerschnitzel recipe will absolutely delight your taste buds!
Crispy breaded pork cutlets served with rich mushroom gravy – that’s Jaegerschnitzel. And it’s one of Germany’s most popular and delicious foods. This authentic Jägerschnitzel recipe will absolutely delight your taste buds!
“This is wonderful. Breaded and fried cubed pork with mushrooms and hunter gravy over a bed of noodles. Serve with a salad and a hunk of thick crusty bread.”
6. Almond Filled Stollen
Photo and German Recipes Courtesy of Taste of Home and Rachel Seel, Abbotsford, British Columbia
I’ve been making this during the holiday season for nearly 50 years. When we flew to Alaska one year to spend Christmas with our daughter’s family, I carried my stollen on the plane!—Rachel Seel, Abbotsford, British Columbia
7. Chicken Potato Burgers
Photo and German Recipes Courtesy of German Foods
A light and tasty Germann recipes twist on a traditional Hamburger made with Bavarian potato pancakes and sliced chicken breasts. Made with Quark
Quark is a soft cheese that’s traditionally German. Find it in the deli section of many supermarkets or German specialty stores.
8. Käsespätzle
Photo and German Recipes Courtesy of All Recipes
These soft egg noodles are Germany’s answer to pasta. Spätzle is especially popular in the south of Germany. It’s a Swabian specialty, although the origin of this dish is disputed and variations are found in neighboring countries. These noodles made from wheat flour and egg are often served topped with cheese (käsespätzle) – rather like macaroni cheese – and sometimes with roasted onions too. They are also used to accompany German meat dishes that use lots of sauce or gravy, such as Rouladen, or in stews, such as Gaisburger Marsch (a Swabian stew).
9. Rote Grütze
Photo and German Recipes Courtesy of The Spruce Eats
Rote Gruetze is a typical, fruit dessert from northern Germany, Denmark, and other Scandinavian countries. In eastern Europe, a similar pudding is called kissel and is made with pureed fruit.
The original recipe for Rote Gruetze calls for red currants (Johannisbeeren) and raspberries, but modern versions contain just about any, in-season, red fruit except strawberries, which do not have the desired acidity or bite. Sago or semolina (Griess) was used for thickening, which made the pudding a little gritty, hence “Gruetze” or grits. This recipe calls for cornstarch (or potato starch) to thicken which results in a smoother compote.
10. Brezel
Photo and German Recipes Courtesy of Chef Koch
Brezel is soft white pretzels made from flour water and yeast and sprinkled with salt (and sometimes different seeds). It’s great to eat as a side dish or snack, especially with a strong German beer. They’re in every bakery and on street stands, sold plain, sliced and buttered (butter brezel) or with slices of cold meats or cheese.
Now that you have read the German Recipe Guide, what’s next? Let’s learn more about the food in Spain. Check out The Spain Recipe Guide
