A Guide to Traditional German Food • FamilySearch (2024)

FAQs

What is the traditional German diet? ›

The main meal of the day is das Mittagessen, or lunch. The tradition is to have a hot meal during lunch. Sauerbraten, snitzels, Frikadellen (German meatballs), potatoes (such as Kartoffelsalat), green beans, soups, and stews are frequently served for lunch.

Breakfast is one the most important meal in German households. Start off with a warm beverage such as coffee, tea or hot cocoa. Next follow slices of fresh, crusty or toasted bread (Brot) or bread rolls (Brötchen) with various spreads and toppings.

Sheep, cows, and goats were used for milk, butter, and cheese and occasionally meat products, which were served most often during feasts. The earliest spices in German cuisine were parsley, celery, and dill, which are still used today. The Romans introduced fruit tree cultivation and grapevines.

Sauerbraten (pronounced [ˈzaʊ̯ɐˌbʁaːtn̩]) is a traditional German roast of heavily marinated meat. It is regarded as a national dish of Germany, and is frequently served in German-style restaurants internationally.

The typical meals are divided in a rather copious breakfast (6 am – 8 am), lunch (12 pm – 2 pm) and dinner (6 pm – 8 pm). Breakfast usually consists of bread that can be topped with cheese, cold cuts, jam, honey, Nutella etc., if you prefer something salty.

No matter the meal, there was always dessert! But only AFTER you finished your meal. My dad served in the US Army and when we were stationed in Germany, we learned the European way of eating: dessert first. Throughout Europe it's common for a meal to begin with a fruit tart or pastry.

First of all, we'll take a look at Germany's three main meals in the day: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

In Germany, the soft-boiled egg is a requirement at every big Sunday breakfast. Typically, it is not considered a main dish and not eaten with an omnipresent bread roll, but stands alone in a dish of its own, like a work of art adorned only with a dash of salt. Usually the yolk - the "Eigelb" - is left runny.

Abendbrot (“evening bread”) is the typical German supper. It is a light meal eaten usually between 18:00 and 19:00 and – like breakfast – consists of full grain bread and rolls, fine cheese, meats and sausages, accompanied by mustard and pickles. Sometimes Abendbrot may include hot soup, especially in winter.

Do Germans eat oatmeal? ›

Americans may like their oatmeal hot and steamy and Brits may prefer coarsely ground oats in their porridge, but in Germany you'll find the morning's oats are fine-cut oat flakes (Haferflocken) consumed with cold milk, possibly a bit of cocoa powder and fresh berries or fruits.

Among the favorites in German cooking are potatoes, various types of cabbage, carrots, spinach, peas, asparagus, beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, and various types of salads. Onions are mainly served with meat dishes or as ingredients in many recipes. Sauerkraut is also a favorite throughout Germany.

In Germany, the most consumed meat is pork. Germans are known for their love of pork, and it is a staple in many traditional dishes. Some popular examples of pork dishes in Germany include schnitzel, which is a breaded and fried pork cutlet, and bratwurst, a type of sausage made from pork, veal, or beef.

The most popular variations include Stramme Lotte, made with cooked ham, and Strammer Otto, with slices of salami or beef. In Bavaria, the sandwich is made with a slice of leberkäse, while a ladle of goulash as the topping is a specialty of Cologne.

Although most people eat their Abendbrot between 18:00 and 20:00, this is gradually changing and many Germans prefer to have a warm meal after coming home from work. This might consist of Schnitzel, Bratwurst with sauerkraut, or another popular German dish.

Plant-Based and Special Diet Trends in Germany

As many as one in three consumers of plant-based meat, cheese, and milk drinks are increasing their consumption of these foods, while more than one in four are upping their consumption of plant-based yogurt.