20 Oktoberfest Recipes: German Recipes to Celebrate Autumn (2024)

FAQs

What is the traditional German Oktoberfest? ›

The current iteration of Oktoberfest is a celebration of German culture, food, and (of course) beer. The only beer served at the event comes from the original 6 breweries in Munich, and the celebration gets kicked off with the mayor tapping the keg in as few swings of the hammer as possible.

Sliced radishes, salted raw kohlrabi, as well as pickled Krauts (as in sauerkraut and red cabbage) and pickled cucumbers (as in gherkins, cornichons or pickles) are perfect culinary matches to pretzels, mustard, sausages or pork knuckles and beer.

A bratwurst (like a hotdog) or schnitzel (pounded, breaded and fried meat) is a great place to start. For slightly less picky eaters, try a spaetzle (potato noodles - usually with onions and cheese), konigsberger klopse (German meatballs), or a German potato salad or marinated cucumber salad!

It falls upon the Mayor of Munich to open Oktoberfest by tapping a beer keg and shouting “O'ZAPFT IS'!”, thus officially starting the festivities. It literally means “It's tapped!”

Prost! Translation: Cheers! Toss on an “Ein Toast!” at the end to encourage a celebratory “bottoms up!” before drinking your Märzen with friends. Fun fact: if you find yourself in Switzerland with a beer in hand, you can substitute “Broscht!” for “Prost!” This is the Swiss-German way to say “Cheers!”

Locals affectionately call Oktoberfest the Wiesn, which essentially translates to the meadow. The reason behind this is that it takes place on a giant meadow -- the Theresienwiese.

The main thing that sets the pretzels served at Oktoberfest (and throughout Germany) apart from their soft American counterparts is the use of lye to form a dark chewy crust.

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.

What is Oktoberfest drink? ›

Beer, of course. All the beer that is served at the Oktoberfest comes from famous Munich breweries, such as Paulaner and Augustiner. If you don't like one of Germany's favorite beverages, you can also get all kinds of other drinks, including non-alcoholic beverages, wine and cider.

Our Oktoberfest mustard is one of the mildest and smoothest mustards that we make! Both creamy and light, it's made with cider vinegar and honey and is reminiscent of your traditional honey dijon variety – but with a twist! Try it as a classic compliment to a grilled sausage or try it in this recipe for Mrs.

At mealtimes, locals drink juices such as apple juice, as well as sparkling water. Juice mixed with carbonated water (Schorle) is a refreshing and popular choice, too. In Germany, drinking alcohol is common among adults.

But let's get down to the crux of the matter: Bavarian cuisine: Schweinebraten (roast pork), Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle), Weisswurst sausages and, of course, dumplings, dumplings and more dumplings. To top it off you need a litre of beer and a good serving of Bavarian hospitality.

Beer, of course. All the beer that is served at the Oktoberfest comes from famous Munich breweries, such as Paulaner and Augustiner. If you don't like one of Germany's favorite beverages, you can also get all kinds of other drinks, including non-alcoholic beverages, wine and cider.

For other libation options, visit the wine garden and a Jagermeister tent. Oktoberfest food choices include select German favorites, such as bratwurst, weisswurst, sauerkraut, apple strudel, spaetzle, beef rouladen, pretzels, and Bavarian roasted almonds. Beer and food are purchased a la carte.