Easy German recipes that taste like home

Hi, I’m Oma Gerhild. These are my favorite German recipes, made quick, simple, and tested in my own kitchen.

Because sometimes one familiar taste is all it takes to bring back Sunday dinners, holiday tables, family stories, and the people we never want to forget.

Food helps us remember.

Oma Gerhild stirring cookie batter

Fall favorites from my kitchen

As the days get cozier, it’s the perfect time to bring some of those hearty German favorites back to the table. Think crispy schnitzel, tender rouladen, savory sides, comforting casseroles, and plenty of recipes that feel just right for fall. 

And with Oktoberfest season here, there’s no better time to enjoy the traditional flavors of Germany at home.

Start with something comforting, delicious, and wunderbar today!

German Bratwurst, Sauerkraut, and Mashed Potatoes

Bratwurst mit Sauerkraut und Äpfeln Bratwurst & Sauerkraut

butternut squash recipe 600 2020

Gerösteter Butternusskürbis Roasted Butternut Squash

Bowl of goulash soup garnished with parsley

Ofen-Gulaschsuppe Oven-Cooked Goulash Soup

plum cake recipe 600 2020

Streusel Pflaumenkuchen Plum Cake

Discover even more of my favorites for your kitchen table:

Oktoberfest cookbookOktoberfest Cookbook
Schnitzel, Rouladen, & more! cookbookSchnitzel, Rouladen & more! Cookbook

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Can't decide where to start? You can search hundreds of our family-tested meals, all with an Oma’s signature touch of warmth and simplicity.

All you have to do is ask yourself...

"What am I craving today?"

Start your email, and a start your day with these savory and sweet dishesStarters
Warm up with classic German soups, from creamy to brothy and everything in betweenSoups
Discover the heart of German cuisine with satisfying protein-based recipesMeats
Complete your German meal with these classic side dishesSides
Dive into classic German salad recipes, from potato to cucumber and beyondSalads
German treats to satisfy your sweet toothDesserts
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Trending Recipes

Crispy roasted pork hocks served with mustard and sauerkraut

Schweinshaxe Roasted Pork Hocks

This recipe makes crispy skin and tender meat easy. With Oma’s tips, you’ll have a Bavarian classic on the table in no time! German pork hock, also known as schweinshaxe or pork knuckle, is a traditional dish in Bavarian cuisine. This crispy, yet tender classic meat is perfect for hearty meals and festive occasions like Oktoberfest.
Red Bowl of German egg noodles sprinkled with fresh parsley.

Spätzle Easy Homemade Egg Noodles

This is my go-to side dish—easy, tender, and perfect with gravy or just buttered and crisped. With just a few ingredients, you can make homemade spätzle...no German deli required! Some even call them dumplings, but really, they’re their own delicious thing.
Three liver dumplings in a clear broth garnished with herbs

Leberknödel Suppe Liver Dumplings Soup

Soup with liver dumplings is such a traditional German soup that brings back so many memories. I remember my Mutti serving this and me always being surprised how good it tasted even though it was liver! Served with some nice fresh crusty homemade artisan bread, it makes a nice light supper. A typically Bavarian soup, this is usually made with beef or calves liver and a strongly flavored beef broth.
Baked soft pretzels and pretzel buns with a golden crust on a white plate

Laugenbrezeln Bavarian Pretzels

These pretzels skip the lye ... just BAKED baking soda for that golden crust and chewy bite I love! This beginner-friendly recipe makes crisp-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside brezeln, and you can use the same method for laugenbrötchen too, shaped however you like.
Spoonful of traditional Bavarian-style braised cabbage in a white serving dish.

Weisskraut Bavarian Braised Cabbage

Make this traditional Bavarian braised cabbage, perfect whenever you’re craving a classic, comforting German side dish. While sauerkraut gets all the attention, this easy braised cabbage is a longtime favorite in southern Germany. It’s a simple way to use a head of cabbage, usually the green (or “white,” as we call it in German) kind, though savoy works too for a milder flavor. Either way, it’s one of the tastiest ways to enjoy this humble veggie.
Sauerkraut Salad

Sauerkrautsalat Sauerkraut Salad

This is an easy, healthy 'pickle-style' side ... bright, crunchy, and perfect for summer buffets or picnics. It’s one of those dishes that always gets compliments ... so simple, so gesund, and totally crowd-pleasing. I love tossing in whatever crunchy veggies I have on hand, and when I use my homemade sauerkraut, it feels extra special.
Sliced traditional German meatloaf arranged on a white platter.

Falscher Hase Traditional Meatloaf

This is my easy family favorite ... savory, slightly smoky from bacon, and perfect hot or cold. It’s called falscher hase ... “false hare” ... because of its loaf shape, not the flavor. Just shape it like a rustic bread loaf and you’re set.
Boiled pork hock served with sauerkraut and mustard on a white plate.

Eisbein und Sauerkraut Berliner Pork Hocks and Sauerkraut

This reminds me of Opa's favorite dish ... simple, savory, and so German. Eisbein mit sauerkraut is a true northern German classic, especially loved in Berlin. It uses the same raw, unsmoked pork hocks as schweinshaxe in the south, but the end result is completely different ... slow-simmered and tender instead of roasted and crisp.
Two golden loaves of no-knead artisan bread on a wooden board.

Krustenbrot Easy No-Knead Artisan Bread

This is my go-to recipe when I want fresh, crusty bread without the fuss. Just mix, rest, and bake. This no-knead artisan bread is so easy, anyone can make it. The crust is crispy like real krustenbrot, and the chewy, airy crumb is perfect for butter and jam. Just like the brötchen we’d get back in Germany. Wunderbar!
A fork cutting into a slice of whipped cream and pineapple-topped icebox cake.

Ananas-Kühlschrank Dessert Pineapple Icebox Cake

My easy flaky dessert recipe is similar to the German Blätterteig or a French Puff Pastry. But, it's so much simpler to make. AND, it tastes so-o-o good! This simple dessert is just layers of unsalted soda crackers (saltines), pudding and Cool Whip. It sounds strange, but this quick, easy dessert recipe always, always, always brings rave reviews..
Glass bowl filled with sliced cucumber salad and fresh dill dressing.

Süddeutscher Gurkensalat Southern German Cucumber Salad

German cucumber salad (gurkensalat) is one of my go-to sides. Light, tangy, and always so refreshing with any meal. This version (unlike my Mutti's) is without sour cream and without yogurt, so it's perfect for a buffet table or to take along for picnics. This recipe is a great way to use up those cucumbers that have been sitting in your crisper. Put them to use in this lovely picnic salad!
Slice of Black Forest cake with whipped cream and cherries beside a full cake

Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte Black Forest Cherry Cake

This cake has rich chocolate layers, kirsch-soaked cherries, and whipped cream.​ This version is easy to make, so even beginner bakers can enjoy this world-famous treat. For authenticity, Kirschwasser is drizzled over the cake and added to the cherry filling. Topped with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and cherries, it’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Wunderbar!
Creamy chicken fricassee with vegetables and rice on a plate

Hühnerfrikassee Chicken Fricassee

Make this chicken fricassee recipe, and you'll think you're back in Oma's kitchen. It's interesting how some foods bring back memories of one's childhood. Especially when these memories are pleasant, these foods become comfort foods. Chicken fricassee is one of these, for sure. German food at its best.
Fresh chopped tomato salad with parsley in a white bowl.

Tomatensalat Tomato Salad

This is an easy German tomato salad that's such a great way to use the bounty of your fresh garden tomatoes. It's summer in a bowl. So lecker! It really is one of those best salad recipes because it's so very easy to make. Nothing really says summer like tomatoes. So juicy, healthy, and so delicious.
Layered Blitz Torte with whipped cream filling on a floral tablecloth

Blitz Torte Lightning Cake

This is such a quick and easy cake to make! Even though this recipe looks long and complicated, it isn't. Blitz Torte can be whipped together quickly with ingredients you probably already have on hand and the results are yummy! I'm including two recipes for different fillings: My Mutti's custard one and my (Oma's ... that's me!) whipped cream one. Check out both and you decide!
Glass of mulled wine garnished with orange slices and cinnamon stick

Glühwein Mulled Wine

This drink is our holiday favorite. Makes us feel like we're at the Christmas markets in Germany. Glühwein is everywhere at the Christmas markets in Germany, served in those adorable little mugs that people love to collect. It just feels like Christmas in a cup. Thankfully, it's so easy to make at home.
Bowl of red cabbage salad with sweet and tangy dressing.

Rotkohl Sweet/Sour Red Cabbage

This recipe is sweet, tangy, and easy to make. A German classic with big flavor and little fuss ... just how Oma likes it! It pairs beautifully with hearty meals like rouladen (or flatladen in my family) and meatloaf. Whether for everyday dinners or festive occasions, this dish brings warmth and tradition to the table.
Golden homemade German bread rolls on a wooden board.

Brötchen Bread Rolls

This recipe brings the beloved bakery staple to your kitchen. Soft inside, crisp outside, and perfect with any meal! I wanted something easy, quick, and still delicious ... and this recipe delivers.
Crumb Cake Slice of German crumb cake topped with whipped cream.

Streuselkuchen Crumb Cake

This is a quick and delicious treat to make for your family and friends. These traditional crumb cakes, which are so easy to make, look so pretty, too. Traditionally, the German Streusel cake you find in a German bakery is made with a yeast dough. This one isn't. That means it's quicker to make and easier for those who struggle with yeast dough. And, it's SO good!
Plate of beef goulash with red cabbage and potato dumplings.

Rindergulasch Beef Goulash

This is rich, hearty, and all about the meat and gravy ... perfect with dumplings, just like I grew up with. It’s one of my best beef recipes, rich with flavor and so easy. Unlike the Hungarian version, mine tweaks it way the German make it, skipping the potatoes and focusing on tender beef and deep, delicious gravy.
Bowl of green bean and potato soup with ground beef.

Grüne Bohnensuppe Green Bean Soup

This hearty soup is a family favorite ... simple, satisfying, and full of flavor. It's my Mutti’s recipe and a true taste of home. It’s quick, hearty, and always a hit with the whole family. I often make it when I’m short on time and need something easy and comforting. One pot, so many delicious possibilities.
Slice of apple strudel with golden flaky crust and visible filling

Apfelstrudel Apple Strudel

This is one of my favorite desserts. Flaky pastry, tart apples, and a touch of sweetness.​ Just try this German apfelstrudel recipe and you'll be convinced. This really is the easiest way to make an absolutely wonderful and traditional German dessert. The secret to this quick and easy apple strudel? Frozen puff pastry.
Creamy herring salad garnished with parsley in a red bowl.

Heringssalat Herring Salad with Cream

My Mutti's Herring Salad is such an easy dish to make for a perfect quick supper. Our kids LOVE this! Really. It's creamy and sweet and sour! Wunderbar. Aka, Heringsalat, it's such a traditional German food that's so easy and fast to make. For our family, all that's needed are some boiled potatoes and dinner or lunch is ready. Yes, that quick! This also makes a great German appetizer. Serve it with crackers or crusty bread.
Sliced loaf of hearty German sourdough bread on a plate.

Sauerteigbrot Sourdough No-Knead Bread

This hearty bread is packed with whole grains and seeds. It's easy to make and perfect even for beginners. It is so delicious and so healthy. Add things like flax seeds, flax meal, oats, sunflower seeds, psyllium, bran, or almost anything you can think of.
Ladle of hearty goulash soup with potatoes and beef.

Gulaschsuppe Goulash Soup

This soup reminds me of my Mutti’s … rich, hearty, and perfect for family dinners or special occasions. It’s one of the most traditional soups I know, so much so, it’s often called Mitternachtssuppe when served at midnight on New Year’s Eve. I make it often when company’s coming, since it’s easy to prep ahead. Add some homemade crusty bread and you’ve got a full meal. Some of the tastiest versions I’ve had were at Autobahn rest stops in Germany ... simple, hearty, and unforgettable.
Oma Gerhild

I love sharing the taste of Germany, from my kitchen to yours... quick & easy, and oh so delicious!

Are you cooking for family, entertaining friends, or simply craving a little comfort food?
There's something here for everyone.

Over 600 easy German recipes!
oven cooked pork roast 600 2020

Schweinebraten Oven Cooked Pork Roast

recipe for red cabbage 600 2020

Rotkohl / Rotkraut Red Cabbage with Apples

Roasted Brussels Sprouts (gerösteter Rosenkohl)

Gerösteter Rosenkohl Roasted Brussels Sprouts

german apple cake 600 2020

Versunkener Apfelkuchen Sunken Apple Cake

 
Whether you're craving schnitzel, rouladen, potato salad, or Black Forest cake, you'll find easy-to-follow recipes that bring the taste of Germany to your table.

You don't have to be a trained chef or a master baker, in fact...

... if you can stir a pot, measure some ingredients, or open the oven door, you can make these recipes.

I’ve taken the classic German dishes I grew up with and simplified them so anyone can bring that same delicious flavor to the table.

Whether it’s schnitzel or strudel, I’ll walk you through it, step by step ... just like Mutti (my mother) did for me.

What to serve with Schnitzel

What to serve with Schnitzel? What to serve with Schnitzel?

Traditional Rinderrouladen with gravy, red cabbage, and potato dumplings on a white plate.

Rinder Rouladen Beef Rolls

Fresh sauerkraut salad with colorful vegetables and parsley garnish in a white bowl.

Sauerkraut Salat Sauerkraut Salad

Slice of rhubarb streusel cake with whipped cream on a white plate beside a fork.

Rhabarber Kuchen mit Streusel Rhubarb Crumb Cake

Soft German potato dumplings (Kartoffelknödel) served in a white dish with leafy garnish

Kartoffel Knödel Potato Dumplings

Cooking doesn’t have to be fussy to be fabulous.

My recipes skip the hard-to-find ingredients and the complicated steps. Instead, you’ll find tried-and-true favorites that work in real kitchens ... yours and mine!

You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to make something that tastes just like Oma’s.

This quick Bienenstich recipe is one of my absolute favorites.

And it’s become a favorite for so many of you, too! It has all the rich, creamy, almond-topped goodness of the traditional version, but skips the yeast and long rise times that can make the classic tricky.

In fact, it’s so reliable and delicious that one café near London, UK serves this very recipe to its guests ... and they love it!

Give it a try ... you’ll be amazed at how easily you can create something this wonderful and delicious right in your own kitchen.

Close-up of a slice of Bienenstich cake with creamy filling and almond topping.

Bienenstich Bee Sting Cake

 

So go ahead! Get out your pots and pans.

Pull out your ingredients. Print off some recipes, and get ready to start cooking and enjoying easy, delicious German foods today!

Check out my recipe index or, if you know what you're looking for, type it in the search bar above. 

"Guten Appetit!"

  

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Comments?  Questions?

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Pop right over to my private Facebook group, the Kaffeeklatschers. You'll find thousands of German foodies, all eager to help and to talk about all things German, especially these yummy foods. 

Meet with us around Oma's virtual table, pull up a chair, grab a coffee and a piece of Apfelstrudel, and enjoy the visit.

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