Recipe Collections – By Type of Food and Occasion

We’ve gathered together all our favorite authentic German recipes, sorted them into topical collections for easy reference, and listed them alphabetically below by type of food and special meal occasions — from Abendbrot (evening bread with cold cuts and vegetables) to Wintersuppen (winter warming soups).

You’ll find recipes that celebrate every season and seasonal ingredient, from spring’s asparagus and ramps, to summer’s berries and barbecue, and fall’s bountiful harvest. In addition, special meal occasions are represented, from weeknight family dinners and easy entertaining to the Thanksgiving feast.

Note that you can also access our recipes by type of dish or course — such as Appetizers, Sides, Soups or Salads. Or go straight to the Holiday Recipes or Chef’s Recipes, if that’s your interest. We hope you enjoy browsing all our recipe collections… and Guten Appetit!

Asparagus

Spargelzeit!

Celebrate the season of fresh spring asparagus with these authentic German asparagus Spargelzeit recipes.

Bountiful Berries

Cherry & Berry Recipes

Celebrating nature’s abundance of berries in the summer months is a must! Colorful and delicious recipes await.

Strawberry & Rhubarb Recipes

This combination cannot be beat. Some of these recipes are great to serve with tea or coffee for an afternoon treat.

Breads

Abendbrot

Literally translated, the word Abendbrot means “evening bread,” yet the term implies more than eating bread in the evening — it’s a simple evening meal in which family comes together and shares the day’s news around the table.

Sophisticated Summer Sandwiches

One of the many joys of Summer is picnicking outdoors whether at home on your patio, deck or in the garden or at a lake, outdoor concert or the beach. For a more sophisticated picnic, try some of these delicious sandwich recipes using a selection of German cheeses, and learn more about the variety of German cheeses and breads available in the US.

Breakfast & Brunch

Breakfast Dishes

Whether you’re craving something sweet or savory, an abundance of recipes await.

German-Inspired Brunch

Whether you’re celebrating a college or high school graduation, Mother’s Day, a bridal shower or just enjoying a beautiful spring day, these unique German-inspired brunch recipes will wow your guests and make your special occasion a day to remember.

Christmas Celebrations

Authentic German Christmas Recipes

In this Recipe Collection you will find the scrumptious fare that Germans typically enjoy on Christmas Eve.

Christmas & Holiday Baking

The holiday season brings about closeness in families–some even baking together! Here are some recipes that can bring people together.

German Christmas Cookies

When Christmas season comes around, Plätzchen (cookies) come in all shapes and sizes. From nutty to sweet, these cookies bring back memories of Oma’s baking.

Cook Like A Chef

German Chef’s Recipes

Chef’s from all over Germany have put together some of their favorite recipes. From simple to gastronomical, creativity abounds.

Drinks

Bright Summer Coolers

After a hard day at work, coming home to bright and refreshing summer coolers can change your mood instantly.

Easter

Easter Cakes

If you’re looking to make a special treat to cap off the Easter meal — or for sharing with coffee later in the afternoon — this is the page for you. The German cakes below are all spectacular in their own way.

German Easter Recipes

In Germany, as in other countries, the Easter season is marked by traditional dishes, cakes and confectionery. Here’s a collection of recipes for each of the most important days of Easter week, namely Maundy Thursday (Gründonnerstag), Good Friday (Karfreitag) and Easter Sunday (Ostersonntag).

Fall Vegetables

Pumpkin and Squash Recipes

A selection of recipes that celebrate pumpkin and other squash in recipes that range from Appetizers to Soups, and Side Dishes to Mains.

Family Meals

Easy Meals for Busy Mom & Dads

Are you worn out after a busy work day and too tired to prepare a five course meal for your loved ones? Here are some fast and easy, not to mention tasty, meals for the whole family.

For Kids

In today’s fast-paced world, it can be an especially rewarding experience when your family manages to carve out some time for a simple dinner — share the fun of making these simple, tasty recipes with your kids.

Homemade Ice Cream

There are two things that could make a hot sunny day better. A scoop of homemade ice cream in a homemade waffle cone. Browse the fresh flavors we have compiled to make a sweet treat for a beautiful summer’s day. We all scream for ice cream!

One-Pot Wonders

One pot dishes are usually quite simple and fun to prepare and provide great nourishment for the body and comfort to the mind. From a nutritional standpoint, most soups and stews have a balance of protein (meat) and healthy carbohydrates (potatoes, pasta), vitamins (vegetables) and minerals (stock/broth) that’s hard to beat.

Summer Picnic

Nothing captures the essence of summer quite like a great outdoor picnic. Whether you are enjoying a day at the beach, in the mountains, at a park or at your favorite spot in the countryside, we have put together a collection of delicious light snacks which would make great additions to any picnic basket.

Recipes from German Brands

Brandt

Whether paired with fruit or cheese or eggs or fish, Brandt Zwieback toasts are a great short-cut to many family-pleasing recipes!

Hela

This brand is commonly used in Germany as a condiment, ranging in flavors from curry to ketchup.

Hengstenberg

Founded in 1876, Hengstenberg has long been making high quality products such as pickles and sauerkraut.

Kölln Oats

Extend your enjoyment of super quality oat products with these recipes from Kölln, a 200 year old company that’s Germany’s best known brand of oats.

Manner

Manner wafers are delicious just as they are, but they can also lend their light and crispy creme filled goodness to these baked goods and desserts.

Meica

Many say that great sausages are bested enjoyed simply, but these recipes from Meica offer great ideas to add to your portfolio of sausage meals.

Mestemacher

A selection of snack sandwiches built on the foundation of Mestemacher whole grain breads. Many of these recipes could quickly adapt into party appetizers.

Niederegger

The maker of some of the finest marzipan and sweets in Lübeck, Germany.

Party Food

Food for Friends

Perhaps it’s an annual family reunion, a neighborhood picnic or a bunch of long-time buddies catching up. Why not make the occasion special with authentic German recipes?

BBQ

What would a barbecue be without a great sausage hot dog topped with sauerkraut and mustard accompanied by potato salad and pickles and washed down with a refreshing glass of beer? All these “American” foods and beverages have traditions in German culture.

Beer Garden

If you’re yearning for a German beer garden experience but don’t live close to one or are stuck at home, don’t despair. We have plenty of recipes for you to create your own beer-buzz Gemütlichkeit for your friends and family right in your back yard.

Kaffee und Kuchen

In Germany it is typical to enjoy Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and cake) in the afternoon with friends and family.

Oktoberfest Party

Even if you can’t travel to Munich or join in a local celebration, you can stage your own Oktoberfest party at home! With such a variety of imported German foods and beverages available in the US, it’s not difficult to offer your guests a genuine “Oktoberfest Experience.”

Party Canapes (Party-Häppchen)

Tasty hors d’oeuvres are wonderful to have for any small or large get-together.

Simple Comfort Food

When the weather gets cold outside its a lovely idea to host a small winter gathering, while serving simple, yet delectable comfort food.

Turkey & Goose

Sophisticated turkey and goose recipes that can be used for a friendly dinner party!

Winter Warming Soups

Soup can be an elegant, light appetizer to whet your appetite or it can be a substantial meal that satisfies your hunger. The Germans are great soup makers and find many opportunities to serve hot, steaming bowls of homemade soups. Vegetables, meat broths, sliced cold meats, sausages and creamy cheese, even sauerkraut and fruits can all form the basis of a good German soup. Germans have a wonderful variety of accompaniments for soup – dumplings, pancakes shreds, noodles, croutons and toast.

Springtime Recipes

Herring & Mackerel

Make the most of smoked mackerel and herring with the recipes below. Both fish offer great nutritional benefits and tasty flavors to add to your recipe repertoire.

Spring Salads

Fresh greens and veggies combined with German pantry staples create salads which are satisfying and nutritious enough to make a great light lunch or dinner. Our fresh interpretations breathe new life into beloved classics like potato and kraut salad.

Thanksgiving

German Thanksgiving

Many German dishes are a natural fit with the Thanksgiving meal, particularly those traditional to harvest season. So, if yours is one of those families whose Thanksgiving tradition allows a little play in the menu, try slipping one or two of these German favorites into the spread.

Sides with a German Flair

If you want to take a break from green bean casserole at Thanksgiving and try something, well…, schnockered, then we suggest a few unique side dishes like Tipsy Plum or Cassis Cured Red Cabbage.

Valentine’s Day

Chocolate Lovers

Let’s cut to the chase: when it comes to dessert, for some people only chocolate will do! The following recipes all call above that classic ingredient.

German Valentine’s Day

Browse from a collection of chocolate, waffle, and dinner recipes.

Sweet Indulgence

For the shortest and coldest month of the year (at least in our latitudes), we’ve put together a collection of delightful German sweet comforts sure to keep you and your guests happy. Make one or two of these recipes as a special treat for that special person in your life on Valentine’s Day or for a crazy carnival crowd.

Vegetables

Potatoes

Many of our recipes contain potatoes or suggest them as a side dish, but the recipes below give the earthy über tuber the starring role.

Red & Green Cabbage

Main dishes and appetizers that incorporate red or green cabbage.

Sauerkraut

Don’t know what else, besides bratwursts, to pair sauerkraut with? This recipe collection gives you options.

Sauerkraut Spaetzle

Beloved in Biergartens, festivals, and in German homes, dishes made with the combination of spaetzle and sauerkraut tend to be comforting, harmonious — and just plain tasty. Krautspaetzle can be seasoned with juniper berries (or caraway, according to local tradition) and flavored with onions, bacon or speck.

Vegan and Vegetarian Favorites

The lifestyles of vegetarianism and veganism have been growing in recent years. Despite the stereotypical view of a potato- and meat-loving Germany, many Germans are embracing the vegetarian menu. No matter what cuisine you enjoy, these recipes are for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike!

Wild Garlic Recipes

If you’re not already familiar with Wild Garlic and its relatives, also called ramps or rampson or wild leek (or in German Bärlauch), these recipes offer several ways to get to know the tasty springtime green.

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