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Taste the best of German foods with these simple, authentic Oktoberfest recipes you can make at home from pretzels to roast chicken, sausages and more!
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Celebrating Oktoberfest is a highlight of early fall. And if you’re looking for Oktoberfest inspiration, we’ve gathered some easy German recipes you will love!
Oktoberfest in Munich
Every fall, millions of people gather in Munich, Germany to feast on delicious German food and celebrate Oktoberfest. But you don’t have to travel to Munich, or even Germany to celebrate the fall festival. Celebrations are held around the world in communities everywhere.
If you love German food, you might want to extend the festival and serve some of your favorites at home. Think fall football, Friday nights… or even just a cozy night at home with delicious food!
But first, let’s take a quick look at Oktoberfest and why we celebrate.
Why do we celebrate Oktoberfest?
Here is a bit of history on Oktoberfest and why it’s celebrated:
“The original Oktoberfest in October 1810 was held in honour of the wedding between Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. For five full days, the burghers of Munich were invited to eat, drink and be merry, and enjoy parades involving kettle drums and music, shooting displays and a horse race around a meadow on the edge of town. Such a good time was had by all that it was decided to stage the race (and the accompanying indulgences) every year.”
Today, more than 200 years later, Oktoberfestis an ever-growing folk festival celebrated around the world.
When is Oktoberfest Celebrated?
It’s often wondered why Oktoberfest begins in September. Sometimes you have to look at the end of the story before the beginning becomes clear. The last day of the two week festival is always on the first Sunday of October. Working backwards, it puts the beginning of Oktoberfest in September. Which also gives revelers warmer weather as well!
Most Popular Oktoberfest Recipes and Foods
- Würstl (sausages): Popular German sausages include: Bratwurst, Beer Bratwurst, Cheese Bratwurst, Bauernwurst, Knockwurst, Currywurst, Frankfurter and Debreziner.
- Brezen (pretzels): Oversized soft, salted pretzels
- Mustard and Curry Ketchup: A must condiment for enjoying sausages!
- Roast Chicken: During Oktoberfest, chickens are spit-roasted until the skin is golden brown and crispy.
- Schweinshaxe(roasted ham hock): roasted ham hock or shank (pig knuckles) are crispy on the outside with tender meat. They’re surprisingly easy to make at home.
- Reiberdatschi(potato pancakes): These potato pancakes are served both savory with a salad or sweet with apple sauce.
- Sauerkraut: If you’re attending Oktoberfest, you’re eating this pickled cabbage with almost anything.This homemade versionmixes cabbage with sweet apples and aromatic caraway.
More German Recipes and Collections You’ll Love
- Traditional German Christmas Food
- Easy German Street Food Ideas to Make at Home
- Homestyle and Pan-Seared German Chicken Schnitzel
- German Cinnamon Apple Streusel Muffins
- German Krautstrudel: An Easy Savory Cabbage Roll
- Quark Mini Cheesecakes with Fresh Blackberries (German Käsekuchen)
- German Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls with Apple and Cardamom
- Travel to Europe with Christmas Market Foods to Make at Home
24 Oktoberfest Recipes to Make at Home
1
German Potato Pancakes (Reibekuchen)
Photo Credit:www.recipesfromeurope.com
These hearty, crispy fried potato pancakes are simple to make and delicious to eat! Served best hot, these pancakes are best eaten with a sweet apple sauce, a savory garlic sauce, or even a creamy quark!
2
Homemade Sauerkraut with Caraway and Apples
Photo Credit:www.foodandwine.com
According to Cultured Pickle Shop owner Alex Hozven, the apple used here is a traditional component in many Eastern European sauerkraut recipes.
3
Traditional Currywurst and Curry Ketchup Recipe
Photo Credit:www.daringgourmet.com
"There’s a reason over 800 million Currywursts are consumed each year in Germany – they’re deeeelicious and have been a German institution since 1949! Learn how to make the BEST authentic curry ketchup and traditional German Currywurst!"
4
Pigs-in-a-Blanket with Sauerkraut and Mustard
Photo Credit:epicurious.com
“Using store-bought ingredients, these hors-d’oeuvres can be whipped up in no time.”
5
German Soft Pretzels (Laugenbrezel)
Photo Credit:www.oliviascuisine.com
"These German Soft Pretzels, or Laugenbrezel (if you wanna sound fancy and impress your friends), are so delicious."
6
German-Style Pretzels Recipe
Photo Credit:www.foodandwine.com
"These chewy pretzels from chef Hans Röckenwagner develop a shiny, professional-looking crust as they bake."
7
German Soft Pretzel Sticks Recipe
Photo Credit:www.foodandwine.com
"I've always been a fan of any food high in salt and starch," Grant Achatz says, "and soft pretzels right out of the oven are awesome." You can eat these slightly sweet, chewy, dark pretzel sticks plain or with mustard; Achatz goes for ranch dressing.
8
Pretzel Bites with Quick Cheddar Dip
Photo Credit:epicurious.com
“For a truly German twist, divide the Cheddar dip into three bowls, flavoring one with mustard and one with caraway seeds.”
9
Oktoberfest Roast Chicken
Photo Credit:daysofjay.com
"No meal is more important to Munich’s famous festival than the Oktoberfest Roast Chicken ‘Halbes Hendl’, half a beautifully seasoned, succulent chicken cooked rotisserie style. Roasting the chicken at a low heat for longer ensures perfectly juicy, delicious meat every time."
10
Bavarian Beer Hall Pork Shanks Recipe
Photo Credit:www.foodandwine.com
"It turns out that the crispy, tender pork shanks enjoyed all over Austria, Germany and Eastern Europe are shockingly easy to make at home."
11
Homemade Currywurst
Photo Credit:www.thekitchenmaus.com
"A quick and easy currywurst recipe that will bring back memories of Germany. Smoky, spicy and a little sweet - it's perfect over bratwurst."
12
Sheet Pan German Bratwurst, Potatoes and Cabbage
Sheet Pan German Bratwurst, Potatoes, and Cabbage is an easy, delicious dinner that's perfect for Oktoberfest or anytime you're craving German sausage, potatoes, and cabbage. And the easy Mustard Sauce is an absolute must!
13
Hot Slaw with Bacon
This Hot Slaw recipe with Bacon Dressing is a quick and easy side dish. And a perfect complement to heftier favorites like pork, sausages, or, of course, chicken. Whether it be fried, grilled... or pulled!
14
German Potato Salad
This German Potato Salad is a simple hot potato salad recipe with fork-tender potatoes, savory bacon, and fresh parsley tossed in a delicious tangy dressing you will love.
15
Bratwurst and Red Cabbage
Photo Credit:epicurious.com
“Grate fresh horseradish over the cabbage and sausages before serving to add a bit of heat.”
16
Bavarian Sauerbraten Recipe (Slow Cooker)
Photo Credit:www.westviamidwest.com
"This Sauerbraten recipe (traditional German pot roast) is made in the slow cooker it's tender it just falls apart. Marinated in vinegar, wine and simple spices it's perfect for your own authentic Oktoberfest party!"
17
Brats with Sauerkraut
Photo Credit:www.tasteofhome.com
"I've made many variations of this excellent main dish. The bratwurst can be plain, smoked or cheese-flavored, served whole or cut in slices, with a bun or without."
18
German Krautstrudel: An Easy Savory Cabbage Roll
A simple German dish made even easier with some store-bought ingredients.
19
Oktoberfest Sheet Pan Brats with Roasted Vegetables
Photo Credit:azgrabaplate.com
“Who’s interested in a low-fuss, fall-inspired meal? I know I am, and my Oktoberfest Sheet Pan Brats with Roasted Vegetable recipe offers great fall flavors, easy prep, and super-easy cleanup.”
20
German Bratwurst hot dog with red cabbage sauerkraut
Photo Credit:adorefoods.com
“Best juicy German Bratwurst hot dog served with red cabbage sauerkraut!”
21
Oktoberfest Casserole
Photo Credit:www.tasteofhome.com
"This delicious casserole is a trifecta mashup of my favorite dishes. It combines the flavors of classic cheesy hash brown casserole with bratwursts and sauerkraut, pretzels and beer cheese. It takes less than 10 minutes to mix and takes only one bowl."
22
Blaukraut
Photo Credit:www.tasteofhome.com
"Blaukraut is an authentic German dish and it's super simple to make. My mother used to make this blaukraut recipe for my family growing up. Now, it's become one of our most popular German sides in our restaurant, Bavarian Inn!"
23
German Cucumber Salad
Photo Credit:mariaushakova.com
“This German Cucumber Salad is budget-friendly, easy to make, and perfect for a family dinner, party, or potluck. Cucumber salad (called Gurkensalat in German) is very popular in Germany and is often served as a side dish with meat or fish.”
24
Easy Apple Strudel
This Easy Apple Strudel recipe, or Apfelstrudel, isa centuries-old classic made easy with store-bought pastry. Perfect for entertaining, bake sales,or simply inviting the neighbors over for tea... and strudel.
