German Cuisine

By: Carl Hanson

Meat and potatoes, German style.

Sweet and Savory

Popular sweet and sour dishes like sauerbraten (which combines a sour marinade with a sweet sauce) reveal a taste for flavors that hearken back to medieval cooking, when such combinations were popular across Europe. Vinegars, sugar and fruits provide popular piquant sauces.

A Taste for the Tuber

The German love of potatoes--enjoyed in salads, dumplings and pancakes--is rivaled only by the Irish. But it wasn't always so. In the mid-1700s, Frederick the Great of Prussia demanded that dubious peasants plant the curious kartoffel. Fondness followed, but gradually.

Meat is Major

Roasted meats (braten), schnitzels and sausages (there are more than 1,000 varieties) are star players of the German dinner plate. The prominence of meat-eating in German culture goes back to ancient times: Romans derided Germanic tribes for their vigorous meat consumption.

Find more recipes in our German Recipe collection.

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Comments

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MarkJ

Sep. 23, 2009 12:48 am

Hi Carl, I think the reason that German food reminds you of American food is that American food was heavily influenced by German immigrants. I mean 'Humburger' and 'Frankfurter' are named after the German cities where they originated, and Pretzels and sour-dough also came from German bakeries.

MarkJ

Sep. 23, 2009 12:49 am

Ooops! I meant 'Hamburger' of course! ;)

Greg

Sep. 23, 2009 6:39 am

Growing up in a household where German was spken regularly, I enjoyed many of the dishes you described. I have taken my mother's potato salad to many parties, and got many nice compliments.

Maureen

Sep. 23, 2009 7:34 am

My grandparents were from Germany and I learned how to cook from them. Most of these are really authentic recipes. Thank you for the potato dumplings. These are just the way I remember them !!!

GR8MOM38

Sep. 23, 2009 9:43 am

We loved the salad dressing served at our German Restaurant before it closed. The salad was just lettuce, cucumber, and vegetables, and the dressing seemed just vinegar, sugar, water and German spices. Can anyone give me a recipe?

Karen

Sep. 23, 2009 10:17 am

I was fortunate enough to live in Germany for 6 years. Sauerbraten was my favorite dish (ok..one of about 40)and I am definately going to try the recipe here :-)

cheryl

Sep. 23, 2009 11:07 am

I was so excited to review these recipes, the weather will be changing very soon in my area. Fall activities the wood burning stove and friends gathered for an Octoberfest Party what could be better. Let's not forget a few German beers.

marthajones

Dec. 2, 2009 12:42 pm

Surprising to many German food is not all heavy laden with fat and carbs as the perceived outside of Germany. Most favored by the people here are dishes which use fresh vegetables and fruits. What is important is Fresh made served without over cooking or waste. The recipes sound interesting and I hope to be able to contribute and help with more.

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