Being Lutheran with German heritage on both sides of my husband’s family, we enjoy lots of German food. Which means, we eat a lot of cabbage and sausage! Every year, our church holds a celebration of food for Oktoberfest – German Food Recipes.
What is Oktoberfest?
Oktoberfest is a 16-18 day folk festival held each September in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. It started out as a wedding celebration in Bavaria when Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese of Saxony in October 1810.
Nowadays here in America, you can expect to see community celebrations in parks with small tents, hear Polka music from Oompah bands, see folks walking around in traditional costume such as men in lederhosen and women in dirndls. Oh, and maybe an alpine hat or a Viking helmet or two.
For fun, I want to introduce you to German Recipe Blogger, Sophie Sadler who I enjoy following. She lives in the Kansas City area and just released a new cookbook. Always happy to help out another Kansas foodie!
Our Favorite German Food Recipes
As for foods, you might see lots of pork, sausage, and bratwurst, soft pretzels, and dumplings. Expect large quantities of cabbage and sauerkraut, cheese spreads, kuchens, and strudels. And of course, German beer. Here are a few of our family’s favorite German recipes.
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Snacks or Appetizers – Lets Get the Party Started!
1
Sourdough Pretzels with Mustard Dip
u003cpu003eWe loveu003cstrongu003e u003c/strongu003eSourdough Pretzels with Mustard Dip at any time of year–not just during baseball season. They are best served warm, fresh from the oven.u003c/pu003e
u003cpu003eBeer-Battered Onion Rings are so delicious and surprisingly simple to make. Light and crunchy with thick slices of sweet onion. And the dipping sauce is pretty amazing, too!u003c/pu003e
u003cpu003eRed cabbage is a traditional German recipe that you will see at nearly every Oktoberfest. The addition of apples compliments this cabbage dish quite well.u003c/pu003e
This cooked cabbage salad is a nice alternative to the creamy coleslaw recipes that abound in the summer. Perfect for your next German Oktoberfest celebration!
u003cpu003eWe’ve been making spaetzle in our home for many years. This German pasta Spatz means Little Sparrows. You wonu0026#39;t want to celebrate Oktoberfest without this side dish. u003c/pu003e
This German Cabbage with Bacon recipe is a tangy, delicious side dish to serve your family, especially good with a pork or corned beef dinner. Filled with cabbage, onion, bell peppers, and bacon, it’s perfect for your next Oktoberfest celebration!
This warm potato salad is a nice addition to a German dinner or potluck. Made with red potatoes, sweet onion, and thick-cut bacon in a sweet and sour sauce, it goes well with hot sandwiches or burgers.
Venison Sauerbraten with Gravy is a traditional addition to a German Dinner or Oktoberfest celebration. Marinate for 2 days, then simmer low and slow until the seasoned meat is so tender it practically melts in your mouth. Cover with a rich, velvety, "gingersnap" gravy for an authentic taste of Germany.
u003cpu003ePork Schnitzel is one of our favorite comfort dinners. It works well for a Sunday dinner or for your next Oktoberfest celebration.u003c/pu003e
u003cpu003eUnlike most bierock recipes, this one uses sausage instead of ground burger. I like to serve them with Country Potato Soup or Creamed Cabbage Soup.u003c/pu003e
Bratwurst with Roasted Vegetables is an amazingly easy sheet pan dinner to prepare for your family. Packed with vegetables, it's loaded with roasted potatoes, green peppers, onions, zucchini, mushrooms, and brussels sprouts.
This dish is fabulously flavorful and possibly my new favorite German food. If you’re not familiar with Rouladen, think thin slices of venison rolled up around bacon, onion, and cornichons (German pickles), then slow-cooked in wine until they are fork-tender. Delicious!
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls is a favorite family recipe and is a great choice for a potluck dinner. Similar to stuffed peppers with a beef and rice base, then enveloped inside cabbage leaves and topped with a spiced tomato sauce.
u003cpu003eHere is a family favorite we make for our annual German Dinner at church. Great with Bierocks and Spaetzel. Flavorful meatballs in a sweet and sour sauce, loaded with sauerkraut and cranberries. u003c/pu003e
u003cpu003eA one-pot, quick and easy meal, sure to please your entire family! We love the combination of kielbasa, potatoes, and cabbage. And we love the sweet and sour flavors often found in German Cuisine.u003c/pu003e
u003cpu003eCreamy Cabbage and Bratwurst Soup is a recipe I made when I had some cabbage sitting in my refrigerator. Although creamy, there is a lightness to it that seems perfect for a cool evening. Serve with a hard crusty bread such as myu003ca href=u0022https://countryatheartrecipes.com/2018/01/tangy-sourdough-bread/u0022u003e Tangy Sourdough Bread. u003c/au003eu003c/pu003e
u003cpu003eMake this Twisted Apple Speculaas Bread when you want to impress your family or friends. It’s the perfect bread to serve during the holiday season, as it makes two delightful loaves that are so pretty with their twisted form.u003c/pu003e
u003cpu003eApple Cider Fritters is a delicious recipe we enjoy in the fall that I make using my dad’s fresh apple cider. I’m not sure there is a better way to welcome in Autumn than by enjoying one of these lovelies.u003c/pu003e
These Baked Apple Cider Donuts are baked instead of fried, and then dipped in butter and coated in a sugar-cinnamon mixture. Sweet, moist, and full of apple flavor.
I couldn’t end this post without mentioning a few of our favorite German Cookies. These are traditional cookies that I make for Christmas and/or tea parties, but they would be great for a cookie tray at an Oktoberfest celebration!
German Spritz Butter Cookies
apricot oat linzer cookies
spiced speculaas cookies
If you have the opportunity, I encourage you to attend at least one Oktoberfest in your life–and be sure to try some of these recipes.