14 Traditional German Christmas Dinner Recipes

A cozy, traditional German Christmas dinner is a festive holiday meal plan that combines old world dishes with modern ingredients that are easy to find and cook for your family.

The photo collage shows a festive German dinner table next to 3 classic German recipes.

If you're dreaming of a Christmas dinner steeped in old-world charm and comforting, hearty flavors, a traditional German Christmas menu is just what your holiday table needs.

With rich roasts, buttery noodles, and spiced red cabbage, German holiday food is all about warmth, nostalgia, and bringing family together around your table.

I've included everything you need to plan an easy holiday meal from scratch that will delight anyone with German heritage or for those looking to try something a little new this year.

German Sauerbraten

My prep-ahead German sauerbraten is the centerpiece of this menu. Tender, marinated beef drizzled with a gingersnap gravy is a perfect main course for your Christmas dinner.

I love this recipe so much because all the work of making the marinade can be done days in advance. The beef can be easily popped into the oven with no fuss when it comes time to cook.

German Sauerbraten

This traditional German sauerbraten is a sweet and sour beef recipe that is delicious when served with buttery spaetzle, savory mashed potatoes or potato pancakes, or classic German red cabbage. Prep it days in advance for an easy meal that is elegant enough for Christmas dinner!

4.99 from 53 votes

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A plate of sauerbraten has homemade spaetzle and red cabbage on the side.

Buttered Spaetzle

Perhaps my most-favorite German recipe of all time, this easy spaetzle in butter sauce is the perfect side dish to pair with the sauerbraten.

Pillowy little egg noodles browned in butter and a delightfully crisp option for soaking up the gravy on your plate.

German Spaetzle in Butter Sauce

This German spaetzle recipe is browned in butter and seasoned perfectly to pair with your favorite dinner dishes. Egg-based dumplings with a bit of herb flavor, they are delicious with schnitzel or sauerbraten.

4.94 from 48 votes

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A white bowl filled with homemade spaetzle sprinkled with parsley.

Red Cabbage (Rotkohl)

Sweet, sour, and gently spiced, bright German red cabbage adds a burst of color to your plate and pairs beautifully with the roast beef.

German Red Cabbage

Traditional German red cabbage is cooked with red wine vinegar, a touch of mustard, and a sprinkle of caraway seeds. This warm side dish pairs wonderfully with many pork or beef recipes, especially German sauerbraten.

5 from 3 votes

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A white bowl filled with shredded cooked red cabbage.

Roasted Potatoes

Crispy on the outside and fluffy inside, these simple roasted potatoes are a satisfying side dish that would easily complement this meal.

Oven Roasted Mini Potatoes and Onions

These crispy roasted mini potatoes with onions, mustard, and simple seasonings are an easy side dish to make any time of year. Pair it with your favorite main dish, they work great with chicken, pork, sausages, and even fish.

5 from 3 votes

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Stollen Buns

All the festive flavor of traditional stollen but in soft bun-sized treats, my bread machine German stollen buns are a perfect breakfast or snack for enjoying while opening presents but could work easily as a dessert after dinner. Be sure to serve them with a dusting of powdered sugar over the top.

German Stollen Buns

These soft, buttery German stollen buns are an easy bread machine recipe to serve during the Christmas season. The sweet dough is studded with candied fruit and dusted with powdered sugar. You can make them ahead and freeze for easy holiday prep.

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A white platter is filled with round stollen buns made with bread machine dough and candied fruits.

Apple Strudel

Flaky puff pastry filled with juicy apples, my air fryer apple turnovers are an easier version of apple strudel for dessert. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra-special touch.

Air Fryer Apple Turnovers

Bake these flaky apple turnovers in the air fryer or in your oven with just 3 simple ingredients plus a sprinkle of sugar on top. Serve them warm for a special breakfast treat or an easy fruit dessert alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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A platter of golden brown apple turnovers.

German Christmas Bread

Spiced and studded with dried fruits, my bread machine German Christmas bread is a perfect holiday centerpiece to slice and share with family by the fire after dinner with mugs of mulled wine.

German Christmas Bread

This festive holiday bread is similar to the sweets sold in the Christmas markets of southern Germany. Studded with dried fruit and hazelnuts, this easy bread machine recipe tastes great with coffee or mulled wine.

4.80 from 5 votes

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A finished loaf of Bavarian Christmas bread from the bread machine. The loaf has a drizzle of white glaze in a criss cross pattern over the top and a red and white striped towel sits next to it.

More German Christmas Recipes

Looking for some alternatives to my main menu? Here are some more traditional German recipes you may enjoy during the holidays:

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Fondue

Warm a pot of classic cheese fondue and then offer sliced sausages and chunks of rye bread for dipping.

Schweinebraten

This classic schweinebraten is a German style roast pork shoulder that is cooked in beer.

Potato Dumplings

Kartoffelklöße, or German potato dumplings, take a bit of work but are a delicious way to turn russet potatoes into a fluffy side dish for a holiday meal.