What is the average German diet?

And, of course, like almost every European country, you'll also often find your meal accompanied by chicken, meatballs and regular sausages. As far as vegetables go, green beans, broccoli, peas and cabbage are staples at the German dinner table.

What do Germans typically eat for breakfast?

A German breakfast consists of hearty Brot (breads) and Brötchen (rolls), decorated with butter, sweet jams and local honey, thinly sliced meats, cheese and even some Leberwurst .

What is Germany's national dish?

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.

What is the most eaten meat in 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.

What is a typical German sandwich?

The typical German version of a sandwich is called a „ Butterbrot “ and is made of darker bread (no toast!), butter and cheese or any kind of sausage/Salami; sometimes people add cucumbers, sliced hardboiled eggs or even salad for beauty and taste.

What are the manners of German eating?

When dining with Germans, be especially mindful of proper manners. They eat continentally—with the fork in the left hand (tines down) and knife in the right hand throughout. Do not pass the fork back and forth between hands. Don't set down your knife to use the fork alone.

How do Germans eat eggs?

However, traditionally Germans boil their eggs . We love to boil them just about where the egg yolk is firm on the outside but soft and runny on the inside.

What do Germans drink for dinner?

At home, some families drink herb tea with a cold supper. Sometimes for dinner, people drink beer or a beer mixed with lemonade (Radler, Alsterwasser) to reduce the amount of alcohol. With special meals, we drink wine. For breakfast, most drink coffee, some drink tea.

What did Germanic people eat?

According to Julius Caesar, the Germans were pastoralists, and the bulk of their foodstuffs— milk, cheese, and meat —came from their flocks and herds. Some farming was also carried out, the main crops being grain, root crops, and vegetables.

How many meals do Germans eat a day?

Germans tend to eat three meals a day but sometimes, they make an exception for Kaffeezeit, which literally means 'coffee time'. Also referred to as Kaffee und Kuchen, (coffee and cake), this is when – as the name suggests – people enjoy a coffee with a slice of cake.

What time do Germans eat dinner?

But in Germany, the traditional dinner time is much earlier: you'll find many German households having their evening meal between 5 and 7 pm .

A Guide to Traditional German Food • FamilySearch (2024)

When you think of German food, what comes to mind? Do you think of sauerkraut and bratwurst? These are an important part of German cuisine, but there is so much more to enjoy.

Located in Central Europe, Germany is known for hearty foods, including sausages, cheese, bread, pastries, and vegetables.

Typical German foods

Sausages

It is estimated that there are more than a thousand varieties of sausages, or wurst, produced in Germany. They range from raw, cooked, smoked, and spreads, including bratwursts and teewursts. Sausages are cooked, grilled, used in soups and casseroles, and are frequently eaten with a mustard condiment, along with an assortment of pickles.

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Cheese

Germany produces a wide variety of cheeses, with different regions having their specialties. They range from cheeses such as Münster, Limburger, and quark—a soft cheese that resembles yoghurt and is often used in cooking and for breakfast.

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Bread

Called Bröt or Brötchen, bread is an important part of German meals. There are thousands of variations, including sourdough, rye, pumpernickel, and Kommissbrot, a dark bread baked from rye and other flours used traditionally for the military.

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Desserts and Pastries

Known worldwide for their delicious desserts and pastries, German desserts and pastries are a sweet addition to any meal. Some favorites include black forest cake, German cheesecake (or Käsekuchen), streuselkuchen, apple strudel, and a wide variety of cakes and cookies.

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Vegetables

Vegetables such as potatoes, cabbage, beans, peas, carrots, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, and asparagus are often used as side dishes as well as in soups and stews. Potatoes are a favorite food, including Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes) and Kartoffelsalat (potato salad). Cabbage dishes, such as Rotkohl (red cabbage) and Weißkohl süß-sauer und Süss Gedämpfter Kohl (sweet and sour cabbage) are also popular around the country.

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Breakfast foods

Like much of Europe, Germans usually have a continental-style breakfast, but with a distinct twist. They often have bread or rolls with jam or honey, thinly sliced meat and cheese, and topped off with a boiled egg, with quark with fruit on the side.

Lunch foods

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.

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Dinner

Supper, or Abendbrot, is another light meal, eaten during the early evening hours, and usually consists of bread or rolls, cheese and meats, and accompanied with mustard and pickles.

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Holidays

Germany is known for their festive holidays, such as Christmas, Oktoberfest, and Easter.

Christmas

German Christmas traditions include Advent calendars, wreaths, and Christmas trees. Along with special Christmas treats, such as Lebkuchen (gingerbread cookies) and Christmas Stollen, Christmas dinners feature a meat dish, such as duck, goose, or a roast, along with apple and sausage stuffing, and red cabbage. Be sure to say, "Fröhliche Weihnachten!" (Merry Christmas)

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Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest began as a marriage celebration on October 12, 1810 for King Ludwig to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hidburghausen. It originally featured horse races along with an agricultural fair. Later, it became a folk festival featuring food and drink, costumes, parades, music, and dancing.

Oktoberfest is traditionally celebrated for two weeks during the last of September to the first of October. The festival features traditional German food, including Laugenbrezel (pretzels) and dipping sauces.

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Easter

Frohe Ostern, or Happy Easter, is traditionally celebrated for 4 days: Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday, which is a German federal holiday.

The celebrations include Easter egg hunts with decorated hard-boiled eggs, bouquets of spring flowers, and Easter bonfires. Easter brunch includes boiled eggs, buns and rolls, a cake in the shape of a lamb, and osterkränze (a braided bread wreath).

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Learning More about Your Heritage

Do you want to know more about your German heritage? Check out the country pages at FamilySearch, and try out some of the German heritage recipes. You may find a new favorite dish! Be sure to share them with your family and add them to your FamilySearch page.