Sauerbraten
Often eaten: Traditionally enjoyed as a Sunday meal or for special occasions.
Known for: The Rhineland in western Germany, especially around Cologne and the Rhine
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Photo: Kobako (CC BY-SA 2.5)
4 dishes to discover
Food of Germany
Germany is a country with a rich history and delicious foods that kids and adults enjoy alike. People in Germany love to eat fresh bread, sausages, and cakes. Meals can vary from region to region, giving you a chance to try lots of different tastes!
Featured Dishes
Meal Culture
In Germany, meals are an important time for family and friends to come together. People often enjoy a big meal at lunch, while dinner is sometimes lighter, like bread, cheese, and cold cuts. Bread, sausages, and potatoes are popular and often shared.
Eating Etiquette
It's considered polite to wait for everyone to have their food before you start eating. Keep your hands visible on the table, holding your fork in the left hand and knife in the right.
When People Eat It
Bratwurst
Often eaten: Commonly eaten at festivals and barbecues.
Known for: Nuremberg in the Franconia region of Bavaria
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Pretzel
Often eaten: Enjoyed as a snack at fairs and events like Oktoberfest.
Known for: Bavaria in southern Germany, where Brezeln are especially iconic
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Schnitzel
Often eaten: Often enjoyed as a main meal for lunch or dinner.
Known for: German-speaking Central Europe; in Germany it is especially common in southern regions such as Bavaria
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Make It Yourself
๐ฉโ๐ณ Cook together! Always ask a grown-up to help with hot or sharp steps.
SauerbratenSauerbraten
Makes 6 servingsIngredients
- 2 lb (900 g)Beef roast
- 1 cup (240 ml)Red wine vinegar
- 1 cup (240 ml)Water
- 1 onionOnion, sliced
- 4 cloves, 2 leavesCloves and bay leaves
- 1/2 cup, crushedGingersnap cookies (to thicken)
How to Make It
- 1Mix the vinegar, water, onion, cloves, and bay leaves for a marinade.
- 2Soak the beef in the marinade in the fridge for 1โ2 days, turning it daily.
- 3Ask a grown-up to brown the beef, then simmer it in the strained marinade for about 2 hours.
- 4Lift out the tender beef and slice it.
- 5Stir the crushed gingersnaps into the liquid to make a tangy-sweet gravy.
- 6Pour the gravy over the beef and serve with dumplings or potatoes.
BratwurstBratwurst
Makes 4 servingsIngredients
- 4 sausagesBratwurst sausages
- 4 rollsBread rolls
- to serveMustard
- 1 cup (140 g)Sauerkraut
How to Make It
- 1Ask a grown-up to heat a pan or grill over medium heat.
- 2Cook the bratwurst slowly for about 12 minutes, turning so they brown all over.
- 3Warm the sauerkraut in a small pot.
- 4Slice the rolls open.
- 5Tuck a sausage into each roll.
- 6Top with mustard and sauerkraut โ a German fair favorite.
PretzelBrezel
Makes 8 pretzelsIngredients
- 3 cups (375 g)Flour
- 1 cup (240 ml)Warm water
- 1 packet (7 g)Yeast
- 1/3 cup (75 g)Baking soda
- for toppingCoarse salt
- 2 tbspButter, melted
How to Make It
- 1Stir the yeast into the warm water, then mix in the flour to make a dough. Knead until smooth.
- 2Cover and let it rise for about 1 hour, until doubled.
- 3Roll pieces of dough into long ropes and twist each into a pretzel shape.
- 4Ask a grown-up to dip each pretzel briefly in water mixed with baking soda.
- 5Sprinkle with coarse salt and bake at 425ยฐF (220ยฐC) for 12โ15 minutes, until deep brown.
- 6Brush with melted butter and enjoy warm.
SchnitzelSchnitzel
Makes 4 servingsIngredients
- 4 cutletsThin pork or chicken cutlets
- 1/2 cup (60 g)Flour
- 2 eggsEgg, beaten
- 1 cup (100 g)Breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup (120 ml)Oil, for frying
- to serveLemon wedges
How to Make It
- 1Pat the cutlets dry and sprinkle with a little salt.
- 2Set up three plates: flour, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs.
- 3Coat each cutlet in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs.
- 4Ask a grown-up to heat the oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- 5Fry each cutlet for 2โ3 minutes per side, until golden and crisp.
- 6Drain on paper towels and serve with a squeeze of lemon.
Vocabulary
Just like you might enjoy a hamburger, people in Germany often enjoy a Schnitzel! It's a breaded and fried meat cutlet that's super tasty.