8 Delicious Oktoberfest Dishes to Sop Up All That Beer

mug of beer

If you’re in Munich, we bet you’ve got a pretzel in one hand and a beer stein in another (don’t spill!). It’s Oktoberfest, the annual German festival that started over 200 years ago as a royal wedding celebration. Can’t make it to Bavaria this year? You can host an Oktoberfest-themed shindig at home with these recipes. Some buck tradition, but that’s all right: They all go great with a cold beer.

Sauteed Cabbage

If you aren’t into sauerkraut’s slippery, fermented texture, try Ina Garten’s riff on a cabbage-based side instead. Her sauteed recipe turns out sweet and tender — a welcome surprise to those who are typically cabbage-averse.

Bratwurst Stewed with Sauerkraut

Sausage is a necessary Oktoberfest element, and Michael Symon’s brats are super-savory after a slow simmer with garlic and onions.

German Potato Salad

Bobby Flay’s recipe is deliciously tangy, thanks to lots of vinegar, mustard, onions and bacon — you won’t miss the mayo at all.

GOUDAANDBEER
FONDUE BREAD BOWL
Food Network Kitchen
Food Network
Crusty Bread, Gouda Cheese, Swiss Emmentaler Cheese, Cornstarch, Lager Beer, Lemon
Juice, Dijon Mustard, Kosher Salt, Garlic, Apples, Pears

GOUDAANDBEER FONDUE BREAD BOWL Food Network Kitchen Food Network Crusty Bread, Gouda Cheese, Swiss Emmentaler Cheese, Cornstarch, Lager Beer, Lemon Juice, Dijon Mustard, Kosher Salt, Garlic, Apples, Pears

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

GOUDAANDBEER FONDUE BREAD BOWL Food Network Kitchen Food Network Crusty Bread, Gouda Cheese, Swiss Emmentaler Cheese, Cornstarch, Lager Beer, Lemon Juice, Dijon Mustard, Kosher Salt, Garlic, Apples, Pears

Gouda and Beer Fondue Bread Bowl

Dip apples and pears into this upscale twist on beer cheese for a party snack that’s both comforting and crisp.

Ideas from Food Network Magazine:

Schnitzel Sandwiches

Food Network Magazine stuffed crispy chicken cutlets (topped with pickles and mustard) into pretzel buns for a dish that’s a complete taste of Oktoberfest in every bite.

Soft Pretzels

It wouldn’t be Oktoberfest without these chewy, salty twists. Food Network Magazine’s puffy pretzels are perfect for dipping in spicy mustard.

Herbed Spaetzle

If you think making buttery noodles from scratch is too complicated, you haven’t tried this recipe’s genius hack: Push the easy-to-make dough through a colander to form the pieces. Sour cream and seltzer make the dish extra-pillowy.

Beer Pretzel Caramels

For dessert, follow Food Network Magazine’s lead: Take the best parts of Oktoberfest, coat them in irresistible caramel and make sure you share with a friend.

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