When you think of German food, what comes to mind? Do you think of sauerkraut and bratwurst? These are an important part of German cuisine, but there is so much more to enjoy.
Located in Central Europe, Germany is known for hearty foods, including sausages, cheese, bread, pastries, and vegetables.
Typical German foods
Sausages
It is estimated that there are more than a thousand varieties of sausages, or wurst, produced in Germany. They range from raw, cooked, smoked, and spreads, including bratwursts and teewursts. Sausages are cooked, grilled, used in soups and casseroles, and are frequently eaten with a mustard condiment, along with an assortment of pickles.
Cheese
Germany produces a wide variety of cheeses, with different regions having their specialties. They range from cheeses such as Münster, Limburger, and quark—a soft cheese that resembles yoghurt and is often used in cooking and for breakfast.
Bread
Called Bröt or Brötchen, bread is an important part of German meals. There are thousands of variations, including sourdough, rye, pumpernickel, and Kommissbrot, a dark bread baked from rye and other flours used traditionally for the military.
Desserts and Pastries
Known worldwide for their delicious desserts and pastries, German desserts and pastries are a sweet addition to any meal. Some favorites include black forest cake, German cheesecake (or Käsekuchen), streuselkuchen, apple strudel, and a wide variety of cakes and cookies.
Vegetables
Vegetables such as potatoes, cabbage, beans, peas, carrots, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, and asparagus are often used as side dishes as well as in soups and stews. Potatoes are a favorite food, including Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes) and Kartoffelsalat (potato salad). Cabbage dishes, such as Rotkohl (red cabbage) and Weißkohl süß-sauer und Süss Gedämpfter Kohl (sweet and sour cabbage) are also popular around the country.
Breakfast foods
Like much of Europe, Germans usually have a continental-style breakfast, but with a distinct twist. They often have bread or rolls with jam or honey, thinly sliced meat and cheese, and topped off with a boiled egg, with quark with fruit on the side.
Lunch foods
The main meal of the day is das Mittagessen, or lunch. The tradition is to have a hot meal during lunch. Sauerbraten, snitzels, Frikadellen (German meatballs), potatoes (such as Kartoffelsalat), green beans, soups, and stews are frequently served for lunch.
Dinner
Supper, or Abendbrot, is another light meal, eaten during the early evening hours, and usually consists of bread or rolls, cheese and meats, and accompanied with mustard and pickles.
Holidays
Germany is known for their festive holidays, such as Christmas, Oktoberfest, and Easter.
Christmas
German Christmas traditions include Advent calendars, wreaths, and Christmas trees. Along with special Christmas treats, such as Lebkuchen (gingerbread cookies) and Christmas Stollen, Christmas dinners feature a meat dish, such as duck, goose, or a roast, along with apple and sausage stuffing, and red cabbage. Be sure to say, "Fröhliche Weihnachten!" (Merry Christmas)
Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest began as a marriage celebration on October 12, 1810 for King Ludwig to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hidburghausen. It originally featured horse races along with an agricultural fair. Later, it became a folk festival featuring food and drink, costumes, parades, music, and dancing.
Oktoberfest is traditionally celebrated for two weeks during the last of September to the first of October. The festival features traditional German food, including Laugenbrezel (pretzels) and dipping sauces.
Easter
Frohe Ostern, or Happy Easter, is traditionally celebrated for 4 days: Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday, which is a German federal holiday.
The celebrations include Easter egg hunts with decorated hard-boiled eggs, bouquets of spring flowers, and Easter bonfires. Easter brunch includes boiled eggs, buns and rolls, a cake in the shape of a lamb, and osterkränze (a braided bread wreath).
Learning More about Your Heritage
Do you want to know more about your German heritage? Check out the country pages at FamilySearch, and try out some of the German heritage recipes. You may find a new favorite dish! Be sure to share them with your family and add them to your FamilySearch page.
