Holiday Sausage Strudel with Sauerkraut and Mustard Sauce

This Holiday Strudel with Mustard Sauce is a savory German sausage strudel made with flaky phyllo dough, tangy sauerkraut, diced apple, caraway, sweet mustard, and sliced knackwurst or bratwurst. Baked until golden and served with a creamy mustard sauce, it makes a festive appetizer for Oktoberfest, Christmas gatherings, holiday parties, or German-inspired entertaining.

The filling brings together classic German flavors: sauerkraut for brightness, apple for gentle sweetness, caraway for warmth, and sausage for hearty flavor. A sweet mustard layer inside the strudel and a warm mustard cream sauce on the plate make the dish especially rich and satisfying.

Serve it sliced into smaller portions as an appetizer, or cut larger pieces and enjoy it as a main dish with salad, pickles, or roasted vegetables.

What Is Holiday Strudel with Mustard Sauce?

Holiday Strudel with Mustard Sauce is a savory German-inspired strudel made with flaky phyllo dough, sauerkraut, apple, caraway, sweet mustard, and sliced knackwurst or bratwurst. Unlike a sweet apple strudel, this version is hearty, tangy, and savory, making it a wonderful appetizer or entrée for Oktoberfest, Christmas gatherings, and holiday entertaining.

The filling brings together classic German flavors in a festive way. Sauerkraut adds brightness, apple brings gentle sweetness, caraway adds warmth, and the sausage makes the strudel rich and satisfying. A layer of sweet mustard inside the strudel gives the filling extra depth, while the creamy mustard sauce served alongside makes each slice feel special.

Serve it in smaller slices as a party appetizer, or cut larger portions and pair it with salad, pickles, roasted vegetables, or warm potato salad for a complete meal.

German Sausage Strudel with Sauerkraut

This savory strudel turns familiar German ingredients into a flaky, sliceable dish that works beautifully for parties. Instead of a dessert filling, the phyllo dough is wrapped around sauerkraut, apple, sweet mustard, and German sausage.

Knackwurst gives the strudel a firm, smoky, savory bite, while bratwurst creates a milder and more classic sausage flavor. Both work well with the tangy sauerkraut and mellow sweetness of the apple.

The phyllo dough keeps the dish crisp and elegant, while the filling stays hearty and comforting. It is a great way to serve sausage and sauerkraut in a more festive format than a simple platter or sandwich.

Oktoberfest and Holiday Party Appetizer

Holiday Strudel with Mustard Sauce is a natural fit for Oktoberfest parties, Christmas buffets, holiday gatherings, game day spreads, and German-themed entertaining. It is easy to slice, simple to serve, and flavorful enough to stand out on a party table.

For Oktoberfest, serve it with German mustard, pickles, radishes, pretzels, and beer. For the holidays, pair it with a green salad, roasted vegetables, warm potato salad, or a festive appetizer board.

The strudel can be served as small appetizer slices or larger entrée portions. That flexibility makes it useful for everything from cocktail parties to casual family dinners.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This savory German sausage strudel is festive, flavorful, and surprisingly versatile. It has the comfort of sausage and sauerkraut with the crisp, golden texture of baked phyllo dough.

You’ll love this recipe because it:

• Turns classic German ingredients into a beautiful party dish
• Works with knackwurst or bratwurst
• Combines tangy sauerkraut with sweet apple and warm caraway
• Uses sweet mustard inside the strudel for extra flavor
• Includes a creamy mustard sauce for serving
• Can be sliced small for appetizers or larger for an entrée
• Fits Oktoberfest, Christmas, holiday parties, and German-inspired menus
• Looks impressive without being overly complicated

Holiday Strudel with Mustard Sauce

A great Oktoberfest or holiday party treat with German flavors. Strudel with apple, sauerkraut and knackwurst or bratwurst, with a sweet mustard cream sauce. Serve as an appetizer (8 portions) or slice larger as an entrée. (4 portions)

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Ingredients

  

• 3/4 cup German butter melted
• 1 cup minced onion
• 1 large Granny Smith apple peeled, cored and diced
• 1-1/2 cups drained German Wine Sauerkraut
• 2 tsp caraway seeds
• 8 sheets phyllo dough
• 1/4 cup German sweet mustard
• 1 pound authentic German knackwurst or bratwurst thinly sliced

Mustard Sauce:

• 1 tbsp German butter
• 1 tbsp flour
• 1 cup light cream
• 3 tbsp German sweet mustard
• 1 tsp paprika

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a large skillet, over medium heat, warm 2 tablespoons butter, sauté onion for 3 minutes. Add diced apple and sauté 3 more minutes. Remove from heat, stir in sauerkraut and caraway, and mix well.
• On a large baking sheet, lay out one sheet of phyllo and fold in half lengthwise and brush with about 1 tablespoon butter. Repeat layering. Spread mustard over last layer of phyllo. Then spread sauerkraut filling along the long lengthwise side to the center of the dough leaving a 1 1/2-inch border around the edges. Top sauerkraut with knackwurst or bratwurst slices; roll jellyroll-style folding in the short edges. Place seam-side down on pan; brush top with butter and bake 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown.
• Meanwhile prepare mustard sauce. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat, stir in flour to form a smooth past. Slowly stir in cream and continue stirring to keep lumps from forming. Whisk in mustard and heat through. Slice warm strudel and serve in a pool of mustard sauce. Sprinkle mustard sauce with paprika.

Notes

Why Apple and Sauerkraut Work Together

Apple and sauerkraut are a classic sweet-and-sour pairing. The apple softens the sharpness of the sauerkraut, while the sauerkraut keeps the filling bright and prevents the sausage and pastry from feeling too heavy.

Granny Smith apple is especially useful because it has a tart flavor and firm texture. It adds just enough sweetness without making the strudel taste sugary.

Together, apple and sauerkraut create balance. The filling becomes savory, tangy, lightly sweet, and full of texture, which is exactly what makes this strudel work so well as both an appetizer and a main dish.

Mustard Sauce for Sausage Strudel

The mustard sauce turns this savory strudel into a more complete dish. It adds creaminess, tang, and a little sweetness that complements the sausage and sauerkraut filling.

Butter and flour create a simple base, while cream makes the sauce smooth and rich. German sweet mustard gives the sauce mellow mustard flavor without making it too sharp. Paprika adds warmth and color.

Serve the sauce warm with freshly baked strudel. For appetizers, drizzle a small amount over each slice or serve it in a bowl for dipping. For entrée portions, spoon the sauce generously over the plate.

Appetizer or Entrée Serving Ideas

For appetizers (8 portions), slice the strudel into smaller pieces and arrange them on a platter with a small bowl of mustard sauce. This makes it easy for guests to take a piece and enjoy it as finger food or with a small fork.

For an entrée (4 portions), cut the strudel into larger slices and serve with a crisp side dish to balance the richness. A green salad, cucumber salad, pickles, roasted vegetables, or warm potato salad all work well.

This recipe is especially useful because it can feel casual or festive depending on how it is served. On a buffet, it becomes a party appetizer. On a dinner plate, it becomes a hearty German-inspired meal.

What to Serve with Holiday Strudel

Holiday Strudel with Mustard Sauce pairs best with crisp, tangy, or refreshing sides that balance the rich sausage and buttery pastry.

Good pairings include:

• German cucumber salad
• Warm German potato salad
• Pickles or gherkins
• Radishes
• Green salad with vinaigrette
• Roasted cabbage
• Braised red cabbage
• Beet salad
• Rye bread
• Pretzels
• Mustard
• German beer
• Riesling
• Sparkling wine
• Apple cider
• Sparkling mineral water

For an Oktoberfest-style plate, serve it with pretzels, pickles, radishes, and beer. For a holiday meal, pair it with salad, roasted vegetables, and a glass of Riesling or sparkling wine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Holiday Strudel with Mustard Sauce?

Holiday Strudel with Mustard Sauce is a savory German-inspired strudel made with phyllo dough, sauerkraut, apple, caraway, sweet mustard, and sliced knackwurst or bratwurst. It is baked until golden and served with creamy mustard sauce.

Is this a sweet or savory strudel?

This is a savory strudel. Unlike apple dessert strudel, it is filled with sauerkraut, sausage, onion, mustard, and apple.

What sausage works best?

Knackwurst or bratwurst both work well. Knackwurst gives the filling a firmer, smokier bite, while bratwurst creates a milder and more traditional sausage flavor.

Can I serve this for Oktoberfest?

Yes. This strudel is a great Oktoberfest appetizer or party dish because it includes sausage, sauerkraut, mustard, and flaky pastry. Serve it with beer, pretzels, pickles, and German mustard.

Can this be served as a main dish?

Yes. Slice it into larger portions and serve it with salad, roasted vegetables, cucumber salad, potato salad, or pickles for a hearty entrée.

How do I keep phyllo dough from tearing?

Keep unused phyllo covered with a slightly damp towel while you work. Brush each layer gently with melted butter, and avoid overfilling the strudel so it rolls more easily.

How do I keep the strudel from getting soggy?

Drain the sauerkraut well before adding it to the filling. Cook the filling briefly to remove excess moisture, and avoid adding it to the phyllo while it is too wet.

What does the mustard sauce taste like?

The mustard sauce is creamy, mildly tangy, and slightly sweet from the German sweet mustard. Paprika gives it a warm color and gentle spice note.

Can I make the strudel ahead of time?

You can prepare the filling ahead of time and refrigerate it until ready to assemble. For the crispiest pastry, assemble and bake the strudel shortly before serving.

What do you serve with sausage strudel?

Serve it with cucumber salad, potato salad, pickles, radishes, green salad, roasted cabbage, pretzels, German beer, Riesling, or sparkling wine.

Course: Appetizers

Keyword: Christmas