Christmas is a time of tradition, and for many people in Germany, traditional recipes are a big part of the holiday season. Germany is known for its traditional Christmas dishes, with each region having its own way of preparing and presenting seasonal favorites. These German Christmas recipes taste like a warm hug on cold winter days.
If you’re looking for more German recipes, you can check out our top German cookie recipes for Christmas. For other Christmas sweets, you can also read our best Christmas dessert ideas to try with your family during the holiday season.
In the kitchen, German cuisine is often characterized by the use of hearty ingredients such as potatoes, root vegetables and meat. Traditional German Christmas recipes often use these ingredients to create dishes that are both comforting and delicious. Be sure to try these German dishes below to add a unique flavor to your Christmas dinner.
marzipan potatoes
Source: The spruce eats
Marzipan potatoes, also known as sugar potatoes or marzipan potatoes, are a quick and easy treat you can make at home for guests. They also make great edible gifts or favors!
Hot chestnuts
Source: Stuttgart citizen
The scent of roasted chestnuts is an integral part of German and American Christmas traditions. As in traditional New York street scenes at Christmas time, the scent of roasted chestnuts fills the air at markets across Germany during the Christmas season.
baked apple
Source: German girl in America
The baked apple, or baked apple in English, is a classic German dessert that’s perfect for Christmas dinner. It consists of sweet apples stuffed with an array of spices and honey or brown sugar before being baked until golden
Potato salad with sausages
Source: Dirndl kitchen
Germans love a good German potato salad recipe with sausages (Wiener Würstchen) on Christmas Eve. Potato Salad with Sausages is a meal that can be made ahead of time, requires no last minute prep, and that everyone loves!
German Venison Cake Recipe
Source: The grandma way
Rehruecken cake is a German chocolate and almond cake that’s easy to recreate with these step-by-step instructions. This classic cake in Germany is made with slivers of almonds and thick chocolate icing.
Related post: The best Christmas cake recipes
German mulled wine
Source: kitchen
Although mulled wine exists in many forms around the world, there is no strict recipe. This particular recipe is for German mulled wine, whose name translates to “mulled wine.” After sipping a few cups of this beverage outdoors in December, you’ll understand why.
Related post: Best Christmas Cocktail Recipes
German Christmas goose
Source: The spruce eats
Many Germans love to eat goose at Christmas, but duck is also a popular choice. Turkey is rarely seen on holiday tables in Germany. And it’s unfortunate because not many people eat goose anymore, even though it’s so easy to prepare. As with other poultry, onions, thyme, and fruit are great seasonings for goose dishes.
German Christmas Stollen
Source: The brave gourmet
German Stollen is one of the oldest and most popular Christmas pastries in the world. This authentic recipe delivers flaky, moist, and incredibly flavorful results that will make your holiday season extra special.
Traditional German spaetzle
Source: The brave gourmet
A popular food in Germany, this is a spaetzle recipe that’s authentic and guaranteed to taste great! Just as the Swabia region of Southern Germany intended, these have the perfect texture and flavor you know and love.
cheese noodles
Source: The brave gourmet
If you’re a fan of pasta, cheese, and caramelized onions, you’ll fall in love with these Käsespätzle! These homemade German egg noodles are overflowing with Swiss cheese and topped with caramelized buttered onions. Comfort food can’t get any better!
Braided poppy seed roll
Source: MyRecipes
A traditional German pastry popular around Christmas time. It can be served as breakfast, dessert or snack. This sweet bread will make your festive table look stunning!
German potato salad
Source: Allrecipes
This is an easy recipe for delicious German Potato Salad that will please everyone, German or not. I often take it to potlucks and we keep it at home for special occasions. Usually there aren’t any leftovers, but if there are, they won’t last long!
Related post: The best Christmas salad recipes
Apple strudel
Source: Plated Desire
Making homemade apple strudel is easier than you can imagine! Its flaky crust and flavorful apple filling give this traditional apple strudel recipe an edge over the store-bought kind. Top it with vanilla ice cream or a decadent custard, and you have an irresistible fall or winter dessert that will delight your guests every time!
German spaghetti
Source: 12 tomatoes
This German spaghetti dish might be a bit untraditional, but it’s still creamy and meaty and comforting. If you’re looking for an excuse to bring more bratwurst and German beer into your life, this is the perfect pasta dish for you!
crumble cacke
Source: Recipes from Europe
The streusel cake recipe uses traditional yeast dough filled with streusel — those sweet buttery crumbs that sit on top of the cake. And the great thing about this dish is that it’s actually really easy to make. So if you’re looking for an easy cake to serve to guests (or just keep it for yourself), then this German Streuselkuchen is for you!
Roast pork and sauerkraut
Source: The Kitchen Whisperer
With just a few, easily accessible ingredients, this recipe makes a deliciously moist and juicy roast pork. Sear the meat first for optimal flavor. Searing caramelizes the sugars in the meat and browns the proteins for more flavor and color contrast.
Baeckeoffe
Source: The Spice House
The inclusion of pig feet in the baeckeoffe gives its juices a gelatinous texture. Oxtail is another traditional option, or you can omit it altogether. The sticking paste serves two purposes: to keep the wine’s steaming aromas from escaping and to keep the cooking liquid from evaporating. You can also use heavy aluminum foil tape for this purpose.
pearl cake
Source: New York Times
It’s easy to make and fills the house with a delicious scent! If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding your favorite variety of nuts or even dried fruit for an extra flavor boost. Enjoy it warm from the oven, either as a dessert.
Strawberry cake
Source: Southern living
Unlike other more bread-like yeast cake recipes, this one has a tender, fluffy crumb and is topped with strawberries and almonds. It’s easy to make and irresistibly delicious! Serve this strawberry cake warm from the oven either as a dessert or as a sweet treat for breakfast.
Sauerbraten
Source: The brave gourmet
Sauerbraten is a delicious German dish that has been marinated and slow cooked until it melts in your mouth. The sauce is flavorful with just the right amount of sweetness and flavor. Perfection!
Related post: The best Christmas slow cooker recipes
beef roulades
Source: Allrecipes
Made from thin slices of beef stuffed with bacon and onions. Serve over mashed potatoes or spaetzle for an authentic German meal during the holidays.
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