Above: German Beer Cheese Soup by The Wanderlust Kitchen Photo credit: Anetta
September 19th marked the beginning of one of the world’s most popular, fun and most delicious holidays: Oktoberfest! In honor of this most venerable of German holidays, where drinking copious amounts of beer and eating sausages is an almost sacred tradition, today we’re exploring the fun-filled, delicious culinary world of Oktoberfest.
Oktoberfest runs for about two weeks from late September to early October, and it’s a holiday dedicated to celebrating all things Bavarian. Food, drink, games and merriment of all sorts ensue, everywhere you go. Besides the ubiquitous Oktoberfest beer, one of the other and most beloved of German culinary traditions is indulging in lots of delicious local foods, like sausages, sauerkraut, strudel and beer-infused everything. So from bratwurst to strudel, here’s a selection of our favorite Oktoberfest recipes from around the web.
Although we love a good apple strudel, we fell head-over-heals for this incredible savory variation filled with bratwurst sausage, cheddar, Munster and sauerkraut. Perfect to pair with a tall pint and some mustard.
Comfort food at it's best, Spaetzle is a mix between a short pasta and a tiny dumping of sorts, that is commonly paired with hearty beef stew. We had no idea how easy it was to make - this recipe calls for only THREE ingredients!
Planning an Oktoberfest party and want to serve German food for a crowd? This fork-tender brisket prepared with flavorful spices and succulent vegetables braised with a full-flavored porter beer will be your new dinner party staple.
The folks at Serious Eats are serious about their food, so if you're looking to impress with a homemade German sausage this Oktoberfest, their classic Beer Brats for grilling will earn you some major foodie points.
With a great texture that pops in the mouth like caviar, this mix of colorful mustard seeds marinated in vinegar and salt are great to toss over meats, Oktoberest sausage sandwiches, sauerkraut and other dishes.
Yet another delicious way to EAT your beer, this decadent concoction, beer soup was served for breakfast during medieval times (perhaps the ancestor to the mimosa?). We recommend you wait till after noon to prepare and serve this creamy and luscious German recipe though!
You can't get more classic Oktoberfest recipe than bratwurst with onions! Served in hot dog buns, these are easy to eat with one hand while you hold your favorite brewski with the other.
Oktoberfest doesn't have to be all about sausage and cheeses. This amazing vegan recipe for vegan Schnitzel is perfect for vegetarians and vegans. Pair them with rice and potatoes for a delicious vegan Oktoberfest dish.
Something sweet to clinch the best Oktoberfest feast yet! This luscious chocolate mousse cake builds on sumptous layers of rich chocolate and sweet berries.