Want Authentic German Cuisine? Try These 27 Recipes!

German food can be totally incredible and mind-blowing, but it is very often underrepresented.

In fact, it’s likely that if we asked the average person to name an iconic German dish off of the top of their head, they would encounter some difficulty! 

If you are reading this now, it’s likely because you’re looking to expand your culinary knowledge and broaden your horizons, by trying some delicious German food that you can make for yourself.

If so, then you couldn’t have possibly come to a better place. 

The difficulty with exploring German food is figuring out where to start with it all.

How can you possibly know which dishes are most worth making, and which ones will give you the greatest glimpse at German cuisine? 

Make sure to read on down below, because we are going to take a look at 27 of the very best authentic German recipes that you can try out right now!

1. Zurich Ragout

We genuinely don’t think we have ever tasted a ragout as immensely special as this before.

The smooth flavors that intertwine throughout the dish are made all the more heavenly when paired with the delightfully crunchy texture of the potato rosti.

We couldn’t wait to make this dish all over again after the first time we tried it. 

The rich sauce that drenches the entire dish gives it that final touch that truly makes it one of the best foods that Germany has to offer.

2. Pickled Beets

Though the idea of pickled beetroots may sound rather ordinary on the surface, just wait until you taste them for yourself, and you will very quickly come to understand why they are such a beloved culinary staple throughout the nation. 

The soft texture that the beetroot ends up taking on, as a result of the pickling process is so delightful and fulfilling.

However, the beetroot still has a satisfying sense of crunch, and each bite allows the pickle itself to release its flavors through your mouth!

3. German Pancakes

You may not otherwise assume that pancakes made in Germany would prove to be so special or interesting, but trust us when we say that they are totally unlike anything you have ever experienced before.

These are definitely not your usual pancakes.

These pancakes are intensely fluffy, and they quickly melt away in your mouth, leaving behind a buttery and smooth flavor that makes it a perfect breakfast meal.

4. Easy German Schnitzel

If there was any food that represented German cuisine, it would likely be the humble Schnitzel (see also ‘16 Schnitzel Recipes You’ll Love‘).

Schnitzels are incredibly thin and breaded cuts of pork that are covered in breadcrumbs, and then lightly fried. 

However, this isn’t just some average fried pork. German schnitzels are totally full of savory flavors and are incredibly easy to eat.

They also pair perfectly with garlic butter, to create a decadent meal that is full of herby flavor. 

5. German Potato Dumplings

These potato dumplings will make a perfect accompaniment for absolutely any meal. They are so delightful to bite into, and so incredibly soft.

Each dumpling boasts an incredibly fluffy texture, encased within a crunchy outer layer, and the taste of the potato is enhanced by the addition of salt and ground nutmeg, giving them a unique taste.

This recipe will also show you how to make a browned butter sauce to dip them right into!

6. Spiced Lebkuchen

These make for a totally perfect Christmas-time treat to share out with friends and family, and they can even be shaped into festive icons to really get the holiday spirit in flow!

The highlight of these delicious snacks, however, is most definitely the spices used to bring them to life.

Ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon are combined effortlessly within this recipe to create a dish that tastes simply amazing. 

7. Currywurst

Currywurst is easily one of Germany’s most iconic dishes, and also one of its most delicious and moreish.

However, making it yourself is actually much easier said than done, because without the right kind of sausage, and without the perfect currywurst sauce, it just won’t taste right! 

This recipe will show you exactly how to create the perfect currywurst every single time. It’s one of the best on the internet!

8. German Onion Pie

This dish is rather similar to an iconic quiche, but trust us when we say that you have never tasted anything quite as delicious as this.

This recipe will show you how to create the perfect German onion pie, a dish that bursts with onion flavor with every bite, and that makes for a perfect lunch time treat that can easily be stored away for later!

The inclusion of bacon also helps to make the finished pie a truly decadent treat.

9. German Mulled Wine

This is another German highlight of the holiday season, a lightly-spiced drink that fills your whole body with holiday cheer, and warms you up from deep down, as it is served warm!

We simply adore the combination of flavors in this drink, including cinnamon, red wine, and plenty of lemon juice. 

This is a drink you will be craving every single time Christmas rolls around! 

10. German Pan Fried Potatoes

If you want to experience some traditional German cuisine, but you also don’t want to spend countless hours slaving over a hot stove, then we strongly recommend trying out this recipe from Wicked Spatula. 

You can easily whip up this dish in a few minutes, and the combination of spices, herbs, and other ingredients throughout help to make it a filling treat to close off a busy day!

11. Grilled German Pork Chops

You’ve never tried pork chops quite like this before. We simply couldn’t get enough of how good these pork chops tasted.

They had an amazing smokiness to them, and every bite seemed to release a complex medley of flavor across our palates.

The lightly-caramelized onions served to the side of the pork chops give the dish a slight sweet and rich note that really makes it a satisfying meal.

And don’t forget the potatoes on the side that truly complete the dish!

12. Golden Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut is an awesome addition to absolutely any dish or any recipe, as it boasts an incredibly tart flavor that instantly gets your taste buds moving.

This recipe will show you how to create high yields of sauerkraut that you can then add to countless other dishes to add a little bit of flavor.

The best thing of all, this sauerkraut recipe will help you to create this iconic pickled delight in a form that is totally great for your gut, and full of nutrition!

13. German Fruit Flan

Despite all appearances, this is actually an incredibly easy sweet treat to make!

We were so surprised with how easy this dish was to make, because it tasted simply incredible once we had finished putting it together! 

This is a fantastic summer recipe to get involved with, and is full of sweet flavors that you simply won’t be able to get enough of, and will have you feeling like you have taken a trip to a relaxing German resort!

14. Apple Strudel

Apple strudel is another of Germany’s most famous dishes, and for good reason.

This delightfull baked and sharply sweet treat has been a favorite for multiple generations, and this recipe will show you how to make it in a way that tastes totally traditional, but has a unique and modern twist to it that will definitely make you want to go back for a second helping!

This recipe is surprisingly fun to make, and the end result makes all of the effort totally worth it! 

15. Cranberry Conserve

Cranberries are noted for their incredibly sharp and tart taste which is thanks to their lower sugar content and their higher acidic content.

This makes them perfect for using in a delicious conserve, like the one detailed in this recipe that manages to combine the tart taste of cranberries with slightly sweeter notes that come out of the conserving process!

This soft conserve is easy to add to countless other dishes.

You could spread it over some soft bread, biscuits, or even serve it as a relish alongside some freshly cooked pork!

16. Caraway Seed Rye Bread

It can be very easy to assume that msot breads are totally the same, and that there is no room for innovation or interesting flavors to emerge.

If you’ve found yourself totally bored by standard breads in recent years, and many bread recipes online just aren’t exciting you, then we know you will be totally delighted with this recipe!

As you produce the dough for this bread, the smell alone will be enough to get you craving your first bite, and you will hardly be able to wait to enjoy it for yourself!

The flavor of this bread is sure to get you feeling nostalgic!

17. Brezel

If you’ve ever tried a pretzel before, then prepare to have your mind blown, because you have definitely never tasted a pretzel quite as good as this before!

This recipe for a German pretzel is truly incredible, and the soft texture of the pretzel itself feels like biting into pure heaven.

The light dusting of salt atop each pretzel helps to make this a perfect snack any time!

18. Black Forest Gateau

This is easily one of the best recipes for black forest gateau that we have ever come across.

Not only is the finished cake incredibly moist and boozy, and full of decadent chocolate and cherry flavor, but it is also totally easy to make! 

Within no time at all you will have a perfect cake that can easily be shared out amongst friends and family, and best of all, this recipe also shows you how to create a massive amount of cream to accompany the cake, to send you to sweet heaven!

19. Eintopf

The name of this classic German soup quite literally translates to ‘One Pot’, meaning that this awesome and satisfying stew can be made entirely within one cooking pot, so you can easily drop in all of the ingredients you need, and allow them to cook over the course of an hour.

When that hour passes, you will be left with a stew that will satisfy everyone at the dinner table!

20. Baked Flounder With Lemon And Butter

Flounder has an incredibly tender texture that will delight your tastebuds, and the addition of butter and lemon in this recipe helps to highlight this incredible texture even more.

The combination of smooth creaminess from the butter and the sharp tanginess from the lemon helps to create a flavor sensation the likes of which you’ve probably never experienced before! 

21. Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Rolling up some cabbage, and stuffing them with a meaty and spicy filling, before cooking them alongside a deliciously savory sauce creates a meal that is totally packed full of surprises, and will easily set your tastebuds alight! 

We were really blown away by how simple but effective this dish turned out to be.

The cabbage absorbed the flavor from the meat easily, and became incredibly juicy.

Every single bite released ounces of juicy flavor that satisfied every craving we had.

22. Oktoberfest Chicken And Red Cabbage

This is a very simple recipe to try out but is bound to fill your mouth with flavor sensations that you won’t soon forget.

The chicken (see also ‘30 Chicken Tenderloin Recipes That Are Quick And Easy‘) cooks so beautifully and absorbs all of the flavors from the red cabbage and the sauce.

Make sure to try this out if you really want to experience German cuisine at its best.

23. Pressure-Cooker Cheddar Bacon Ale Dip

If you have a pressure cooker, then you definitely will not want to pass up the opportunity to use it for a recipe as awesome as this!

This dip goes so well with some freshly baked pretzels, or with other savory goods!

24. German Muesli

Muesli is a staple of breakfast tables all across the world, but there are quite a few interesting variations on it from multiple nations.

One of the very best is German muesli, and this recipe will show you how to make it in a way that is incredibly traditional.

You’ll be jumping out of bed every morning just to taste a bowl of this nutritious goodness!

25. German Potato Pancakes

Potato pancakes may sound like a madcap idea, but we recommend trying out this recipe yourself and reserving judgment because they are delicious.

The crisp outer portion of each pancake makes the soft savoriness of the insides truly mouth-watering.

26. Hunter’s Pork Chops

These breaded pork chops always go down a treat whenever we make them.

The pork becomes so incredibly tender, allowing the juices from the rich gravy to ooze in and imbue every single bite with a mouth-filling flavor.

The mushrooms in the sauce also create an additional texture that contrasts with the crispiness of the breading outside of the pork chops. 

27. Quark

Quark can quite easily be compared to standard yogurt, but it is instead actually made from non-aged cheese that is incredibly creamy in its texture and consistency.

If you want a break from ordinary and boring yogurts, then we think you would get a total kick out of this quark recipe. 

Quark can be served with so many things, such as fruit, but can also easily be served with more savory dishes to create a creamy sensation. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Most Famous German Dish? 

Easily the most famous German dish in the world is Wurst, which takes on multiple different forms, from standard bratwurst to currywurst.

Wurst is totally distinct from standard sausages, and is well worth trying out for yourself!

Is German Food Healthy? 

Provided it is prepared using traditional recipes, German food can actually be rather healthy.

Though much of it contains very strong meats, such dishes are usually packed to the brim with protein and other nutrients to make them hearty and enjoyable. 

Why Is German Cuisine Not Popular?

German cuisine tends to not be quite as popular as other international cuisines, like Italian and Japanese cuisine.

The biggest reason why German food is not heavily sought after in the United States is that many of its most famous dishes are actually incredibly similar to many American staple foods.

Thus, those that are looking for unique culinary experiences from around the world will often shun German cuisine, for the reason that it seems unexciting and very familiar. 

This is despite the fact that some of Germany’s lesser-known dishes are incredibly unique.