18 Traditional German Recipes Perfect for Oktoberfest and Beyond

Q: What are traditional Oktoberfest foods?

Classic Oktoberfest food ideas include pork schnitzel , sausages, pretzels, sauerkraut , spätzle , and braised red cabbage , all traditionally paired with a good German beer drunk form 1 liter (2-pint) Maßkrug glass.

Q: What should I serve with German schnitzel?

Spätzle noodles , potatoes, fries, German potato salad, with a side of braised red cabbage , or a simple cucumber salad are all traditional, easy pairings.

With October round the corner and Oktoberfest celebrations starting around the world soon, we thought we'd better compile a collection of German recipes to celebrate the occasion and the German heritage of this food blog.

German recipes - Jägerschnitzel (Hunter's schnitzel), braised red cabbage, goulash, fondue, raisin bread and mulled wine

The family of the blog founder, Markus Muller, came to Canada from Germany, and Chef Markus collected and perfected a large list of traditional German recipes from his childhood and his European visits on this food blog.

So whether you just have a craving for schnitzel and spätzle or are looking for Oktoberfest food recipes to throw a beer-drinking afternoon at home, we have some well-tested, easy-to-make, and most importantly delicious German recipes cooked from basic ingredients for you right here.

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Why We Love Cooking German Food at Home

It's built for scratch cooking - German cuisine leans on simple, honest ingredients: cabbage, potatoes, pork, onions, bread. No artificial shortcuts required.
It's comfort food at its core - rich sauces, warm spices, and slow-cooked dishes that are perfect for cooler months.
It travels well beyond Oktoberfest - while some on the list are classic and traditional German Oktoberfest recipes (pork schnitzel or cabbage with bratwurst, anyone?), these meals work just as well for a weeknight dinner, particularly for the upcoming colder parts of the year.
All the recipes are tried and tested family favorites - even if you are not of German heritage

German Main Courses

These are the classic German main dishes - hearty, satisfying meals made to feed a hungry table. They also match well with a stein (or Maßkrug) of beer, making for great Oktoberfest food ideas.

German Pork Schnitzel (Schweine Schnitzel)

Our classic German schnitzel recipe - lightly breaded pork cutlets fried until golden brown.

Traditionally served with just a wedge of lemon, parsley, and a side of fries. A classic pub meal that is easy to make at home.

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authentic german pork schnitzel served with fries, a wedge of lemon, and parsley on a white plate

Jägerschnitzel (Hunter's Schnitzel)

A variation on the schnitzel recipe above, topped with a rich, savory mushroom and bacon gravy.

Pair it with spätzle, mashed potatoes, or a simple green salad.

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jägerschnitzel served with mashed potatoes and parsely on a barnboard tabletop

Hearty Homemade German Goulash

A slow-simmered, deeply flavorful beef goulash, seasoned with sweet paprika and warming spices.

Comfort food at its finest on a cold evening. Plus another classic meal for the Oktoberfest beer festivities.

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German Meat Fondue (Fleischfondue)

Meat fondue (called Fleischfondue in Germany) is an interactive, fun way to feed a crowd.

Guests cook bite-sized pieces of meat right at the table, then dip them into a spread of homemade sauces.

Perfect for holidays and get-togethers.

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various food items being cooked in broth in a fondue pot

Pickled Herring Sandwich – A German Style Lunch

Another European classic that can serve as a lighter lunch or mid-afternoon beer snack: pickled herring on dark rye with a beet and carrot slaw, red onion, and fresh sprouts.

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Use Sprouted Seeds on sandwhiches like this pickled herring sandwich.

German Side Dishes

No German main course is complete without one of these on the plate.

Traditional German Spaetzle Recipe

Spätzle noodles, also called Knöpfle or Chnöpfle, are soft, chewy egg noodles - the classic partner to schnitzel, goulash, or a simple pat of butter and herbs.

An easy, authentic German recipe made completely from scratch in 20 minutes.

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Close up of German spätzle noodles served in a black bowl

Käsespätzle with Caramelized Onions – The Ultimate Mac & Cheese

Käsespätzle, or cheese spaetzle, are Germany's answer to mac and cheese - homemade spätzle noodles tossed with melted cheese and sweet caramelized onions.

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Easy and delicious, German käsespätzle also known as cheese spaetzle, is an easy to make noodle dish loaded with Emmental Cheese. Basically a fancy Mac & Cheese!

German Braised Red Cabbage (Rotkohl) with Blueberries & Cloves

'Rotkohl' is a sweet-and-sour braised red cabbage side, flavored with blueberries and cloves.

An easy side dish that pairs beautifully with roasted meats and 'wurst' sausages.

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braised german red cabbage recipe served on a fancy gold rimmed glass plate alongside sausages and mashed potatoe.

German Style Sauerkraut

Homemade, naturally fermented German Sauerkraut - crunchy, tangy, and full of probiotics.

A staple alongside sausages, schnitzel, or roasted pork. Plus, a great way to preserve cabbage for the winter.

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Homemade potato salad

Not a traditional German-style potato salad, but our own family's creamy, tangy version - made lighter with Greek yogurt in place of some of the mayo.

A wonderful side for any German schnitzel or sausage. We also love it with simple crumbed chicken nuggets.

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German Salads

Balance out your German feast with a fresh, crisp salad:

German Cucumber Salad (Gurkensalat)

A refreshing 4-ingredient German Cucumber salad, perfect alongside roasted meats or as a light lunch side.

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german cucumber salad garnished with dill in a glass bowl

German Soups and Appetizers

Kick things off with savory German-inspired starters or soups:

Caramelized Onion Tart (German Zwiebel Kuchen)

German Zwiebelkuchen is a savory tart of slow-caramelized onions and bacon in a creamy custard base.

It is traditionally served in fall at wine festivals alongside a glass of new wine, but it makes for a quick and easy lunch or appetizer, delicious any time of year.

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Perfect as an appetizer or entree, these German onion tarts even make a great lunch for work.

German Style Oxtail Soup

Ochsenschwanz Suppe is a rich, slow-simmered broth-based soup made from oxtail, warm spices, and root vegetables.

Popular throughout Germany at holidays and special occasions, it's also a wonderfully budget-friendly, comforting meal on a cold day.

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A close up of a white rimmed bowl filled with a broth based oxtail soup, displayed on a barn board background.

Homemade Potato Soup (Gluten-Free)

Inspired by the German and Central European potato soups we grew up eating, this naturally gluten-free version is packed with colorful vegetables and warmed with marjoram and caraway seeds. A budget-friendly, cozy bowl, perfect for chilly days.

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Serving gluten-free homemade potato soup

German Baked Goods & Sweets

No German spread is complete without something sweet to finish. These traditional desserts and sweets always disappear from the table, no matter how big the main dish was or how full your guests are.

German Raisin Bread (Rosinenbrot)

Rosinenbrot is a soft, fluffy sweet bread studded with raisins - traditionally baked for Easter Sunday, but wonderful any time as a breakfast treat.

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sliced german rosinenbrot (raisin bread) displayed on a wooden cutting board, and surrounded by ingredients and a cookbook

Grandmother's German Apple Pie

A German heritage family recipe passed down for generations - a classic lattice-topped apple pie filled with a sweet-and-tart mix of Macintosh and Granny Smith apples. A beginner-friendly bake.

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A beautiful lattice topped homemade apple pie, this recipe is great for beginners.

Vanillekipferl (German Almond Crescent Cookies)

A shortbread-like almond and vanilla crescent cookie, traditionally baked during the Advent season across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Simple to make and always a hit at holiday cookie exchanges.

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A lightly vanilla and almond flavored Christmas cookie. This German vanillekipferl recipe will quickly become a a holiday favorite!

Sugar Candied Almonds (Gebrannte Mandeln)

A Christmas market classic and a sweet and crunchy festive treat for kids and adults alike.

German sugar-candied almonds coated in a crisp, sweet sugar shell are easy to make at home.

Be warned, though: Once you start eating them, it's hard to stop!

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German Drinks

Well, we do not have a recipe for the German beer (yet, anyway). So here is the next best classic German-inspired drink for the cooler times of the year:

German Glühwein - German Mulled Wine (Red)

Glühwein, a warmly spiced red wine, steeped with cinnamon, cloves, and citrus.

A Christmas market staple that's just as good for an Oktoberfest gathering or any cold evening, really.

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Two glass mugs filled with mulled red wine and garnished with cinnamon sticks and orange.

German Recipes - FAQs

What are traditional Oktoberfest foods?

Classic Oktoberfest food ideas include pork schnitzel, sausages, pretzels, sauerkraut, spätzle, and braised red cabbage, all traditionally paired with a good German beer drunk form 1 liter (2-pint) Maßkrug glass.

What is the difference between classic Schnitzel and Jägerschnitzel?

Both start from the same base - a breaded, fried pork cutlet. Jägerschnitzel ("hunter's schnitzel") is simply topped with a rich mushroom and bacon gravy.

What should I serve with German schnitzel?

Spätzle noodles, potatoes, fries, German potato salad, with a side of braised red cabbage, or a simple cucumber salad are all traditional, easy pairings.

Is German potato salad the same as American potato salad?

Not usually - traditional German potato salad is typically a warm, vinegar-based salad without mayonnaise, while American-style versions tend to be creamy and mayo-based (like our own homemade potato salad above).

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Final Thoughts

While this collection of German recipes started as an idea for Oktoberfest food recipes, inspired by the time of year and German food heritage of the blog founder, Chef Markus, we hope you will agree that these recipes deserve more than just a single month of the year.

In fact, most are perfect cozy and filling weeknight dinner dishes for the entire colder season, from fall to winter. There are also many festive recipes popular at Christmas and holidays. So bookmark the page and come back when you feel like hearty German cuisine recipes.

We would love to hear which of these you try first! Leave a comment and a rating below to let us know, and feel free to share your favorite pairings or variations.

Happy Oktoberfest and beyond!

18 Traditional German Recipes Perfect for Oktoberfest and Beyond

Table of Contents

Why We Love Cooking German Food at Home

German Main Courses