21 German Favorites to Kickoff Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest gatherings and cosy fall dinners are even better with hearty German recipes made for sharing. Schnitzel, goulash, rouladen, potato soups, cabbage sides, apple cakes, and plum desserts bring plenty of traditional flavour to the table. Keep scrolling to discover the next delicious favourite for your celebration.

Warm German Potato Salad

A dark plate of German potato salad with chopped bacon, parsley, and a light dressing—a true German favorite—served with a wooden spoon on a white plate. This classic example of German food is perfect for celebrating Oktoberfest or any hearty meal. — Warm German Potato Salad. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

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This classic German potato salad skips the mayo in favor of a warm, tangy dressing with a savory bacon flavor. It's a hearty side that feels right at home alongside an Oktoberfest feast.
Get the Recipe: Warm German Potato Salad

Savory Fried Cabbage with Onions and Bacon

A bowl of fried cabbage mixed with crispy bacon pieces, garnished with chopped chives, served with a wooden spoon—a comforting dish reminiscent of German favorites and classic Oktoberfest fare. — Savory Fried Cabbage with Onions and Bacon. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

Cabbage becomes wonderfully savory and satisfying when paired with sweet onions and smoky bacon. This quick skillet side brings a delicious mix of salty, sweet, and tangy flavors to a German-inspired meal.
Get the Recipe: Savory Fried Cabbage with Onions and Bacon

Tender Slow Cooker Pork Roast with Vegetables

Seasoned pork roast served on a white plate with chunks of potatoes, carrots, and onions, garnished with chopped parsley—a true German favorite reminiscent of classic Oktoberfest celebrations. — Tender Slow Cooker Pork Roast with Vegetables. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

Let the slow cooker do the work with this cozy pork roast, which becomes wonderfully tender alongside hearty vegetables. It's an easy dinner for busy nights and generous enough to share with a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Tender Slow Cooker Pork Roast with Vegetables

Light and Fluffy German Apple Pancake (Dutch Baby)

A slice of apple bread pudding on a black plate, dusted with powdered sugar, with a fork resting beside it—a cozy treat inspired by German Favorites and perfect for your Oktoberfest celebration. — Light and Fluffy German Apple Pancake (Dutch Baby). Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This impressive German apple pancake puffs beautifully into a golden, tender breakfast centerpiece. With its warm apple flavor and dramatic presentation, the Dutch baby makes an ordinary morning feel like a special occasion.
Get the Recipe: Light and Fluffy German Apple Pancake (Dutch Baby)

Hearty Slow Cooker German Goulash

A black dish filled with beef stew, potatoes, carrots, and green peppers—one of those hearty German favorites—served over wide noodles and garnished with parsley, with a bread roll and patterned cloth nearby. This comforting meal is perfect for celebrating Oktoberfest or exploring classic German recipes at home. — Hearty Slow Cooker German Goulash. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This comforting German goulash features melt-in-your-mouth beef surrounded by a deeply savory paprika-infused sauce. Slow cooking brings everything together into a cozy one-pot meal that's perfect for chilly evenings.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Slow Cooker German Goulash

Homemade Dry Hard Apple Cider

A glass of apple cider sits on a wooden surface surrounded by whole and sliced apples, with a white jug in the background—an inviting scene reminiscent of Oktoberfest and classic German Favorites. — Homemade Dry Hard Apple Cider. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

This approachable homemade hard cider is a fun project for anyone interested in trying their hand at homebrewing. The dry apple flavor makes it a fitting drink for crisp fall evenings and Oktoberfest-inspired gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Dry Hard Apple Cider

Creamy German Cucumber Salad (Gurkensalat)

Sliced cucumber salad mixed with creamy dressing and fresh dill, served in a white dish with a spoon—one of the classic German Favorites, perfect for adding freshness to your Oktoberfest Recipes. — Creamy German Cucumber Salad (Gurkensalat). Photo credit: Maple + Mango.

Also known as Gurkensalat, this refreshing German cucumber salad balances crisp, thinly sliced cucumbers with a cool, creamy dressing. It's a simple family-style side that brings a bright contrast to hearty German meals.
Get the Recipe: Creamy German Cucumber Salad (Gurkensalat)

Slow Cooker German Applesauce

A hand uses a whisk to stir a mixture of apple slices and spices in a white slow cooker—a cozy scene reminiscent of German favorites often enjoyed during Oktoberfest; empty jars, spoons, and a bowl are nearby. — Cozy Slow Cooker Applesauce with Brown Sugar. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

Homemade applesauce gets wonderfully cozy with warm cinnamon and a gentle sweetness in this slow cooker version. It's an easy way to turn a basket of fall apples into a comforting snack, side, or dessert.
Get the Recipe: Cozy Slow Cooker Applesauce with Brown Sugar

Nostalgic German Apple Cake (Kuchen)

A round apple cake—one of the classic German favorites—with visible apple slices on top, sits next to a gold spoon and a checkered cloth on a light wooden surface. — Nostalgic German Apple Cake (Kuchen). Photo credit: The Feathered Nester.

This traditional German apple cake has the comforting feel of a recipe made for generations of family gatherings. Warm apple flavor and old-fashioned charm make it a lovely treat for fall afternoons or dessert tables.
Get the Recipe: Nostalgic German Apple Cake (Kuchen)

Creamy Cheesy Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream

Bowl of mashed potatoes topped with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped chives, placed on a wooden surface—a comforting addition to your collection of German favorites and perfect for serving at any Oktoberfest celebration. — Creamy Cheesy Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

These mashed potatoes are extra rich and creamy, with melted cheese and sour cream giving them plenty of comforting flavor. They're an easy side dish for sausages, roasts, or any Oktoberfest-inspired dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Cheesy Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream

Decadent German Black Forest Cake

This showstopping Black Forest cake layers deep chocolate flavor with cherries and fluffy homemade whipped cream. It's a classic German dessert that makes any celebration feel a little more festive.
Get the Recipe: Decadent German Black Forest Cake

Juicy German Frikadellen Meat Patties

German Frikadellen are wonderfully versatile meat patties that land somewhere between a meatball and a burger. They're delicious served warm or chilled, making them a natural fit for dinners, picnics, and Oktoberfest celebrations.
Get the Recipe: Juicy German Frikadellen Meat Patties

Rich Cheesy Beer Brat Chowder

This hearty chowder turns beer brats, potatoes, and vegetables into a rich, cheesy bowl of comfort. It's especially satisfying for game days, casual gatherings, or any cool-weather meal when you want something substantial.
Get the Recipe: Rich Cheesy Beer Brat Chowder

Rustic German Plum Cake (Pflaumenkuchen)

Also called Pflaumenkuchen or Zwetschgenkuchen, this traditional German plum cake is rustic, lightly sweet, and perfect for showcasing ripe seasonal fruit. Its simple presentation makes it especially charming for an afternoon coffee or fall gathering.
Get the Recipe: Rustic German Plum Cake (Pflaumenkuchen)

Cheesy Bierock Beef and Cabbage Casserole

Inspired by the classic stuffed German pastry known as a bierock, this casserole offers all those cozy flavors in an easy baked format. Beef, cabbage, cheese, and a golden topping make it a hearty family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Bierock Beef and Cabbage Casserole

Crispy German Schnitzel (Gluten Free)

This golden pork schnitzel delivers the crisp coating and tender center you want from a German favorite, without the gluten. A squeeze of lemon or creamy Dijon sauce makes it an easy, satisfying dinner.
Get the Recipe: Crispy German Schnitzel Gluten Free Recipe

Old-Fashioned German Cheesecake with Mandarin Oranges

This traditional German cheesecake has a creamy, old-fashioned character with bright bursts of mandarin orange throughout. Its distinctive style makes it a memorable dessert for celebrations or anytime you want to explore classic German baking.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned German Cheesecake with Mandarin Oranges

A Family-Favorite German-Inspired Pastry That Disappears in Minutes

Rustic Gluten-Free Apple Tart. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

This French-style apple tart has an elegant, rustic look while remaining completely gluten-free. Thinly sliced apples and a lightly caramelized filling make it a lovely choice for fall dessert.
Get the Recipe: Rustic Gluten-Free Apple Tart

Elegant Creamy Riesling Potato Soup

This silky German potato soup gets a refined touch from Riesling while staying wonderfully comforting. It makes an elegant starter for holiday meals and other special occasions during the cooler months.
Get the Recipe: Elegant Creamy Riesling Potato Soup

Classic German Beef Rouladen with Gravy

German beef rouladen turns thin steak into a deeply flavorful comfort-food centerpiece with a savory filling and rich gravy. It's a classic dinner that brings traditional German cooking straight to the family table.
Get the Recipe: Classic German Beef Rouladen with Gravy

Creamy Knoephla Potato and Dumpling Soup

This creamy German-inspired soup combines tender potatoes with soft, herb-filled dumplings for a bowl that's both hearty and soothing. It's a cozy variation on traditional Knoephla soup that's especially welcome on chilly days.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Knoephla Potato and Dumpling Soup