Quick answer
What defines German cuisine?
Hearty meat dishes and honest baking. The best known are sausages, schnitzel, potato salad, and pretzels, with apple strudel on the sweet side.
German
German food is hearty and honest — dishes that warm you up. It's built on sausages with sauerkraut, crisp schnitzel, and potato salad, plus soft pretzels. The sweet baking is famous too: apple strudel and Black Forest cake. Bring a piece of Germany to the table and browse the recipes.
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Frequently asked questions
Which German sausages are worth trying?
Bratwurst for the grill or pan; Munich's weisswurst, gently warmed and traditionally eaten before noon; and Berlin's currywurst in curry-spiced ketchup. Mustard and a roll go with all of them — sauerkraut welcome too.
What is German potato salad like?
In the south it's served warm, dressed with broth and vinegar, no mayo. In the north it's creamy with mayonnaise. Both go well with sausages and schnitzel.
What are pretzels (Brezel)?
Soft twisted bread with a glossy brown crust and coarse salt. They're best fresh, on their own or with butter.