Get Ready to Oktoberfest! 20 Authentic German Recipes Fit for the Ultimate Bavarian Feast

October means one thing to die-hard fall fans: Oktoberfest. A time for German-influenced fun—in the form of eating, drinking and dancing. In fact, no one's stopping you from strapping on a pair of Lederhosen and cracking open a German beer at home. From potato pancakes to Schweinebraten (German-style roast pork), we've rounded up all sorts of delicious German recipes to contribute to the ever-lively Oktoberfest.

Related: 8 Ways to Celebrate Oktoberfest at Home

What is Oktoberfest?

Oktoberfest is a celebration of good times and everyone is German when it comes to Oktoberfest! So, get ready to crank up the polka music, grab a tall stein filled with pilsner and enjoy some delicious German delicacies.

What Kind of Food is Served at Oktoberfest?

In this roundup of 20 best Oktoberfest food and drink ideas, you'll find recipes for Gluten-Free Pork Schnitzel with German Potato Salad, Oktoberfest Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage, Slow Cooker Sausage with Bavarian Sauerkraut, Laugenbrezel (German Pretzels) and lots of Bavarian desserts, like Bavarian Cream with Hazelnut Liqueur and Chocolate Bavarian Pie.

Related: Best Fall Foliage Family Trips For Kids

Best Oktoberfest Food and Drink Ideas

Scroll through our picks to view (and pin) all of these authentic Oktoberfest recipes before the festivities begin. Prost! 

<p>German potato salad is one of those dishes that even those who haven't tried it know a couple of things about. It contains <a href="https://parade.com/1105169/parade/bacon-recipes/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:bacon;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">bacon</a> and is served warm, but if you've ever tasted it, you know the flavor profile is unlike most other tater salads out there. <a href="https://parade.com/1227223/kristamarshall/german-potato-salad/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the recipe</a>. </p><p><strong>Related: <a href="https://parade.com/428487/alison-abbey/8-ways-to-celebrate-oktoberfest/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:8 Ways to Celebrate Oktoberfest;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">8 Ways to Celebrate Oktoberfest</a></strong></p>
<p>Mimi Sheraton</p><p>Germans call this kind of dish <em>Vorspiese</em>—literally "before food"—something rich to whet your appetite that can double as a between-meal snack or late-night supper. And it's certainly delicious any time of day. <a href="https://parade.com/426914/mimisheraton/beer-cheese-for-oktoberfest/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the recipe</a>. </p>
<p>A hearty soup that has German influence. <a href="http://www.comfycook.com/2012/03/german-split-pea-soup.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the recipe</a>. </p>

A hearty soup that has German influence. See the recipe.

<p>Good German food starts with red cabbage. <a href="http://www.westoftheloop.com/2014/10/09/oktoberfest-sweet-sour-red-cabbage/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the recipe</a>. </p>

Good German food starts with red cabbage. See the recipe.

<p>Of course you need schnitzel for Oktoberfest! <a href="http://www.fearlessdining.com/2014/06/17/gluten-free-pork-schnitzel-german-potato-salad/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the recipe</a>. </p>

Of course you need schnitzel for Oktoberfest! See the recipe.

<p>A nice hearty German stew! <a href="http://thecozyapron.com/oktoberfest-stew-and-shiny-happy-people/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the recipe</a>. </p>

A nice hearty German stew! See the recipe.

<p>Slow-roasted German pork, YUM! <a href="http://www.cookingwithmaryandfriends.com/2015/07/schweinebraten-german-style-roast-pork.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the recipe</a>.</p>

Slow-roasted German pork, YUM! See the recipe.

<p>Beer and cheese is so German and perfect for Oktoberfest. <a href="http://www.browneyedbaker.com/oktoberfest-german-beer-cheese-spread/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the recipe</a>. </p>

Beer and cheese is so German and perfect for Oktoberfest. See the recipe.

<p>A simple cucmenber salad is perfect for Oktoberfest. <a href="http://www.mariaushakova.com/2015/09/german-cucumber-salad/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the recipe</a>. </p>

A simple cucmenber salad is perfect for Oktoberfest. See the recipe.

<p>German chicken braised in beer is the perfect Oktoberfest dinner. <a href="http://www.endlesssimmer.com/2012/10/10/beer-braised-chicken-anyone/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the recipe</a>. </p>

German chicken braised in beer is the perfect Oktoberfest dinner. See the recipe.

<p>Simple dumplings are the centerpiece of any German feast. <a href="http://www.comfycook.com/2015/01/bavarian-bread-dumplings-semmelknodel.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the recipe</a>. </p><p><strong>Related: <a href="https://parade.com/news/snyders-beer-cheese-pretzel-pieces-oktoberfest-2022" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Get Ready for Oktoberfest with New Beer Cheese Flavored Pretzels;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Get Ready for Oktoberfest with New Beer Cheese Flavored Pretzels</a></strong></p>
<p>How about a German version of a hot pocket? <a href="http://www.curiouscuisiniere.com/bierocks/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the recipe</a>. </p>

How about a German version of a hot pocket? See the recipe.

<p>A quick and easy way to make a pretzel chip! <a href="http://www.seductioninthekitchen.com/2013/10/bavarian-pub-pretzel-crisps.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the recipe</a>. </p>

A quick and easy way to make a pretzel chip! See the recipe.

<p>Sausage and kraut—now this is Oktoberfest! <a href="http://chaosinthekitchen.com/2013/04/beer-braised-bratwurst-and-caramelized-sauerkraut/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the recipe</a>. </p>

Sausage and kraut—now this is Oktoberfest! See the recipe.

<p>A wonderful cheese with a vegan twist! Anyone can enjoy Oktoberfest! <a href="http://www.elephantasticvegan.com/kartoffelkase-potato-cheese-spread/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the recipe</a>. </p>

A wonderful cheese with a vegan twist! Anyone can enjoy Oktoberfest! See the recipe.

<p>A smokey bacon flavor is what makes this German dish amazing. <a href="http://www.seductioninthekitchen.com/2013/11/breaded-veal-with-bacon-mushroom-sauce.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the recipe</a>. </p><p><strong>Related: <a href="https://parade.com/167828/amandawaas/the-ultimate-oktoberfest-gift-guide/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:The Ultimate Oktoberfest Gift Guide;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">The Ultimate Oktoberfest Gift Guide</a></strong></p>
<p>A sweet Bavarian dessert and it has chocolate too! <a href="http://bunnyswarmoven.net/2014/01/chocolate-bavarian-pie" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the recipe</a>. </p>

A sweet Bavarian dessert and it has chocolate too! See the recipe.

<p>Apples and German sweets go hand in hand. <a href="http://www.melskitchencafe.com/bavarian-apple-torte/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the recipe</a>. </p>

Apples and German sweets go hand in hand. See the recipe.

<p>A wonderful slow-cooked pork roast with a sour cream gravy...now that is German cooking! <a href="http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2005/09/bavarian-roast-pork-with-sour-cream.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the recipe</a>. </p><p><strong>Related: <a href="https://parade.com/news/auntie-annes-evil-genius-pretzel-beer-oktoberfest-2022" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:This Limited-Edition Beer is Brewed With Auntie Anne's Pretzels;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">This Limited-Edition Beer is Brewed With Auntie Anne's Pretzels</a></strong></p>
<p>A sweet Bavarian dessert that will please everyone. <a href="http://thespicetrain.com/2015/01/06/bavarian-cream-hazelnut-liqueur/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the recipe</a>. </p>

A sweet Bavarian dessert that will please everyone. See the recipe.

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