45 Old-World German Recipes Worth Trying Today

Read Time: 21 mins

45 Old-World German Recipes Worth Trying Today2/45 Apfelkuchen 17 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Oma’s Apfelkuchen (Grandma’s Apple Cake) Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband’s German family calls this Oma’s apfelkuchen, which translates to “Grandma’s apple cake.” They’ve been sharing the recipe for more than 150 years. I use Granny Smith apples, but any variety works. —Amy Kirchen, Loveland, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 422 calories, 23g fat (14g saturated fat), 148mg cholesterol, 177mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 1g fiber),

4g protein

4g protein. 3/45 Potato Dumplings 22 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved German Potato Dumplings Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Potato dumplings (called Kartoffel Kloesse in Germany) are a delightful addition to any German feast. The browned butter sauce is delectable.—Arline Hofland, Deer Lodge, Montana Nutrition Facts: 2 dumplings with 2 tablespoons sauce: 367 calories, 14g fat (8g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 514mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 5g fiber), 9g protein. 4/45 Authentic German Potato Salad 26 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Authentic German Potato Salad Recipe

I ate lunch there almost every day and always ordered the potato salad

photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This authentic German potato salad recipe came from Speck’s Restaurant, which was a famous eating establishment in St. Louis from the 1920s through the ‘50s. I ate lunch there almost every day and always ordered the potato salad. When the owner learned I was getting married, he gave me the recipe as a wedding gift! —Violette Klevorn, Washington, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 344 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 719mg sodium, 63g carbohydrate (34g sugars, 3g fiber), 6g

protein. 5/45 Bavarian Pot Roast 57 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Bavarian Pot Roast Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 45 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Since all my grandparents were German, it’s no wonder that so many Bavarian recipes have been handed down to me. Because the Midwest has such a large German population, I feel this recipe represents the area well. —Susan Robertson, Hamilton, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 4 ounces cooked beef: 281 calories, 16g fat (5g saturated fat), 88mg cholesterol, 633mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0

fiber), 27g protein

fiber), 27g protein. 6/45 German Red Cabbage 28 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved German Red Cabbage Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Sunday afternoons were a time for family gatherings when I was a kid. While the uncles played cards, the aunts made treats such as this traditional German red cabbage recipe. —Jeannette Heim, Dunlap, Tennessee Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 64 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 23mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch.

If you like this, you must try these German Christmas dinner recipes

7/45 Almond-Filled Stollen 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Almond-Filled Stollen Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 30 min Servings 3 loaves (12 slices each) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’ve been making this during the holiday season for nearly 50 years. When we flew to Alaska one year to spend Christmas with our daughter’s family, I carried my stollen on the plane!—Rachel Seel, Abbotsford, British Columbia. If you like this, you must try these German Christmas dinner recipes. Nutrition Facts: 1 slice: 278 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 44mg cholesterol, 241mg sodium, 43g

carbohydrate (21g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein

carbohydrate (21g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein. 8/45 Spicy Bavarian Beer Mustard 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 7 half-pints Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a gift that has bite! This spicy beer mustard is great with pretzels or as a condiment for bratwurst. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 tablespoon: 36 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 65mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. 9/45 Apple Pork Loin 20 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Apple Pork Loin Recipe photo by Leticia Almeida for

The apple pork loin tastes even better served with homemade mashed potatoes

Taste of Home Total Time 6 hours 20 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love making this slow cooker pork roast with apples for chilly fall dinners with my family. The apple pork loin tastes even better served with homemade mashed potatoes. —Rachel Schultz, Lansing, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 290 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 241mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 2g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1 starch, 1/2 fruit, 1/2 fat. 10/45 Frikadellen 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved SUSAN BRONSON FOR TASTE OF HOME Total

Time 50 min Servings 8 patties Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These savory German meatball patties are packed with flavor and taste delicious when served hot or cold. —Susan Bronson, Rhinelander, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 patty: 201 calories, 14g fat (4g saturated fat), 61mg cholesterol, 386mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 12g protein. 11/45 Sausage Sauerkraut Soup 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Sausage Sauerkraut Soup Recipe photo by Kristina Vanni for Taste of Home Total Time 8 hours 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’ve taken this satisfying soup to

Everyone loves it!

church gatherings and family reunions, and it always receives great compliments. Everyone loves it! —Elizabeth Goetzinger, Lewiston, Idaho Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 373 calories, 21g fat (8g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 1707mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 5g fiber), 16g protein. 12/45 Raspberry Custard Kuchen 34 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Raspberry Custard Kuchen Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Back where I grew up in Wisconsin, people have been baking this German treat for generations. We love it for breakfast or as a special dessert. It’s

no fuss to fix and impressive to serve

no fuss to fix and impressive to serve. —Virginia Arndt, Sequim, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 328 calories, 17g fat (10g saturated fat), 86mg cholesterol, 195mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 3g fiber), 4g protein. 13/45 Green Beans with Bacon 20 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 25 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Green beans with bacon and onions makes such an easy side dish. Fresh beans lend a crisp, bright flavor to any meal. They’re best when served hot. —Mari Anne Warren, Milton, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 62 calories,

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat

2g fat (1g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 177mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat. 14/45 Cranberry Conserve 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 3 pints Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’m 95, and I still remember my grandmother from Germany making this lovely, delicious conserve for the holidays. She’d give it to family members and friends. It tastes great served as a relish alongside meat or even spread on biscuits.-Mildred Marsh Banker, Austin, Texas Nutrition Facts: 2 tablespoons: 72 calories, 2g fat

It’s especially perfect on those cold late fall and early winter nights

(0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 0 protein. 15/45 Potato Kielbasa Skillet 433 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Potato Kielbasa Skillet Recipe photo by Ruthie Darling for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: No need to hunt through kielbasa and potato recipes, this smoky take steals the show as a hearty home-style, all-in-one meal. It’s especially perfect on those cold late fall and early winter nights. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 472 calories, 31g fat (10g saturated

Served with homemade buttermilk syrup, it’s an eye-opening treat

fat), 66mg cholesterol, 873mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 17g protein. 16/45 German Pancakes 58 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved German Pancake Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings (2 cups syrup) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Piping hot and puffy from the oven, this golden pancake made a pretty presentation for a skier’s theme breakfast I hosted. Served with homemade buttermilk syrup, it’s an eye-opening treat. Make several German pancakes if you’re feeding a crowd, and keep in mind that my easy syrup tastes great on waffles and French toast,

—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition

too. —Renae Moncur, Burley, Idaho Nutrition Facts: 1 piece with 1/4 cup syrup: 428 calories, 19g fat (11g saturated fat), 203mg cholesterol, 543mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (42g sugars, 0 fiber), 8g protein. 17/45 Mulled Wine 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved JIM WIELAND FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 45 min Servings 5 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This mulled wine is soothing and satisfying with a delightful blend of spices warmed to perfection. Refrigerating the wine mixture overnight allows the flavors to blend, so don’t omit this essential step. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

• Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

📣 Join Our Community