18 German Comfort Food Recipes You Need to Try

Hunter’s Schnitzel

Tender pork cubes, breaded and fried, then paired with savory mushrooms and rich hunter gravy. "This dish is absolutely delicious," says Helene. "Serve it over noodles with a crisp salad and a chunk of hearty, crusty bread."

Oktoberfest Chicken with Red Cabbage

Chicken thighs baked with red cabbage, bacon, and apple in a tangy sweet-and-sour sauce. "Bavarian food is one of my favorites," says HerbanSpoons. "Since good German food is hard to come by here (when I lived in San Francisco, my husband and I often visited amazing German/Hungarian restaurants), I make it myself. This recipe is so easy to prepare."

Wienerschnitzel

"This simple German dish is a family favorite," says Loves2CookinMN. The recipe calls for veal cutlets, but as Loves2CookinMN suggests, "Boneless pork chops work just as well and taste amazing!"

Beef Short Ribs Sauerbraten

"The 24-hour marinade gives these tender short ribs the unmistakable tang of Sauerbraten," says Chef John. "The gingersnaps in the sauce add a delightful texture and a perfect balance of sweet and spicy."

Beer Glazed Brats with Sauerkraut

Bratwurst or knockwurst sausages, glazed with a rich beer sauce and served with onions over a bed of sauerkraut. "We love serving this dish on soft potato rolls, topped with spicy German mustard, Swiss cheese, and an ice-cold beer on the side," says JTk364.

Chef John's Beef Rouladen

"Despite its impressive appearance and flavor, this beef rouladen is surprisingly easy to make," says Chef John. "You can use almost any affordable cut of beef; I opted for round steak, but cuts like rump, chuck, or flap meat will also work great."

Lengenberg's Boiled Potatoes

Like Americans, Germans have a deep love for potatoes. However, this affection didn't happen overnight. In the 1700s, Frederick the Great of Prussia ordered peasants to plant the unfamiliar kartoffel, which grew on them slowly but surely. Here, simple boiled potatoes are tossed with fresh parsley. They're the ideal side dish for bratwurst with mustard or schnitzel. For something extra special, serve them with Uli's Onion Bacon Sauce and Apple Red Cabbage.

Grammy's German Potato Salad

This mayo-free German-style potato salad is served warm, dressed in a tangy sauce made with cider vinegar and dry mustard. "We absolutely loved it," says Helene. "It’s easy to make, delicious, and the perfect side dish to complement our meal."

German Beet Salad with Caraway Seeds

"This is a classic German beet salad, dressed simply with apple cider vinegar and seasoned with caraway seeds," says Naschkatze. "You can also use roasted beets, but in Germany, they are typically boiled."

German Hamburgers (Frikadellen)

The original hamburger! "These are like flattened meatballs," says Amy. "My aunt in Hamburg, Germany taught me this recipe, and I’ve been making them ever since. I also use it to make Swedish meatballs (just leave out the paprika). Serve with steamed green beans and a tossed salad, or on a Kaiser roll with lettuce, tomato, pickles, crispy fried onions, and curry ketchup."

Curried Cottage Fries

Bratkartoffeln, crispy potato wedges seasoned with curry powder and paprika, are Germany's take on home fries. "Spicy potato wedges perfect for curry lovers!" says Melaknee.

Spätzle (also known as Spaetzle)

Not in the mood for potatoes? These small German "micro-dumplings" are made from a simple flour-based batter. "They cook in just a few minutes," says Chef John. "They're delicious on their own with browned butter or served with slow-braised meats."

German Potato Dumplings (Kartoffelkloesse)

"These soft, comforting potato dumplings are drizzled with browned butter and topped with something even better than bacon!" says Chef John. "For the best results, roast the potatoes instead of boiling them so they stay nice and dry. You can still top these dumplings with bacon, or sautéed onions and mushroom gravy. I served mine with sausage and braised red cabbage."

Braised Red Cabbage

Red cabbage slowly braised in wine and a few simple seasonings. The balance of sour, sweet, and salty flavors pairs perfectly with hearty German dishes. "There are endless ways to customize this recipe," says Chef John. "Raisins, currants, shallots, onions, leeks, apples, and pears are just a few ingredients that can take it to the next level."

German Potato Pancakes

These classic German potato pancakes are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They’re perfect for breakfast or dinner, paired with bratwurst, sour cream, and apple sauce on the side. "This recipe reminds me of the potato pancakes my dad used to make," says luv2cook. "The potato fries up beautifully, and the onion adds a lovely sweetness. Delicious!"

Spinach and Mushroom Soup with Spaetzle

This hearty soup is perfect for chilly evenings. "A nod to my German roots, with a delightful herbed spaetzle," says thedailygourmet. "It’s also versatile and easy to adjust to your tastes."

Pam's Bierocks

Sweet dinner rolls filled with ground beef, onions, and cabbage—a fantastic alternative to Finnish pasty! "If you're after an authentic bierock recipe, this one is spot on," says DIZ. "From the bread dough to the meat filling, it's absolutely perfect. Don't forget the spicy German mustard, it's a must!"

Papa Drexler's Bavarian Pretzels

"Fresh out of the oven, the first bite delivers a crisp crunch and that signature pretzel flavor with the softest dough inside," says Liddah. "Absolutely delightful!"

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