24+ Classic German Side Dishes Made Just Like Oma

by: Lydia Fulson  /  Writer, Artist, Traveler, Granddaughter & Ever-Learning German Cook

Published: February 13, 2022, Updated: May 15, 2025

These 24+ easy German side dishes are just like Oma makes ... authentic, quick, and perfect with schnitzel, bratwurst, roast pork, and more. I learned them from my Oma, and now they’re favorites in my kitchen too.

Here are the top 24 BEST German side dishes that pair perfectly with just about anything you will serve!

In this collection of German side dish recipes, you’ll find something for every taste: southern, northern, savory, or sweet.

Already made one? Try a new favorite next time. With 24+ delicious options, it’s easy to keep your meals feeling gemütlich and never boring.

German Salad Sides

From kartoffelsalat to gurkensalat, these classic German salads are simple, tasty, and perfect accompaniment to any main dish.

1. Northern German Cucumber Salad

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This creamy German cucumber salad (gurkensalat) is a northern favorite—light, tangy, and perfect for summer. It’s Oma’s go-to, just like her Mutti made, and a must at every family gathering.

2. Oma's Southern German Cucumber Salad

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This Southern-style gurkensalat skips the cream and keeps it light, crisp, and tangy—perfect with dishes like Rouladen. I didn’t think cucumbers could taste this good, but one bite and I was hooked!

3. Creamy German Potato Salad Recipe with Dill

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This northern-style kartoffelsalat is creamy, herby, and one of my absolute favorites. It’s great with sausage (like my quick air-fried bratwurst!) or just about any main dish you can think of.

4. Southern Potato Salad

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This southern-style kartoffelsalat ohne mayo is served warm and was totally new to me, until Oma made it. It’s cozy, tangy, and the perfect side when you’re craving comfort food.

German Dumpling Sides

Dumplings are what could definitely be the most popular of all sides in German cuisine. After all, it is said that in Germany, "a Sunday without dumplings is no Sunday at all.”

5. Bread Dumplings

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These semmelknödel are the tastiest way to use up old bread—plus, they’re perfect for soaking up rouladen gravy. In Bavaria, it’s tradition to pull them apart with two forks, never a knife, and we always save extra bread for Oma’s kirschenmichel dessert.

6. Potato Dumplings

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These northern-style kartoffelklöße are Oma’s favorite ... potatoes really are king up there! Traditionally served with butter-fried croutons inside, they’re perfect with red cabbage and a rich gravy.

7. Steamed dumplings

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Dampfnudeln are fluffy German steamed dumplings that work beautifully as a side or dessert. Serve them with rouladen gravy for savory meals, or warm with vanilla sauce for a sweet treat.

8. Potato Dumplings Made From Raw Potatoes

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These traditional thüringer klösse bring back sweet memories for my Oma ... everyone had a job, from peeling to mixing. They’re perfect with rouladen or sauerbraten, and once you get the hang of it, making them is half the fun!

German Noodle and Carb Sides

9. Kraut Flecken

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Kraut flecken is a hearty noodles-and-cabbage dish from Oma’s Austrian friend Melania, but it’s loved all across Germany. It’s simple, comforting, and the touch of caraway gives it that unmistakable German flavor.

10. Schupfnudeln

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Schupfnudeln are finger-shaped potato noodles that work as a side or a sweet treat, served with cinnamon, sugar, or even applesauce. They’re just as tasty with sauerkraut, making them one of the most versatile German sides around.

11. Homemade German Spaetzle

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Spätzle are THE traditional southern German noodles, especially in regions like Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. We always use Oma’s spätzle press from Germany, and these yummy noodles have become one of my favorite sides.

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12. Oma's Himmel und Erde

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Himmel und erde ... “heaven and earth” ... combines mashed potatoes and apples for the ultimate comfort side. Topped with crispy fried onions (or not!), it’s a sweet and savory classic.

13. Potato Pancakes

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Kartoffelpuffer, crispy German potato pancakes, are a favorite in our family and all over Germany. Serve them with bacon for brunch or as a side for dinner, or try Oma’s trick of using a blender to make prep easy.

14. Fried Potatoes

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Bratkartoffeln are quick, crispy German fried potatoes—perfect as a side or cooked over the fire for an easy camping meal. Turn them into a light dinner by adding eggs and cheese, just like my dad does for his version of hoppel poppel.

15. German Pretzel Recipe

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These laugenbrezeln skip the lye but keep the classic taste ... crispy on the outside, soft inside, and perfect for any day, not just Oktoberfest. Oma’s unusual safer method still gives you that golden, chewy pretzel we all remember from German markets.

German Veggie Sides

16. Bavarian Braised Cabbage 

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Weisskraut, or Bavarian braised cabbage, is a southern German favorite that’s now loved all over. It’s an easy way to use up extra cabbage, and even better when shared around the family table.

17. Oma's Northern Braised Cabbage

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This northern-style braised cabbage is quick to prep and full of rich, savory flavor from browning the cabbage and onions. It pairs perfectly with German sausage, or better yet, Oma’s grilled bratwurst!

18. Red Cabbage Recipe

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Rotkohl is a must-have German side ... sweet, tangy, and one of my all-time favorites. Even cabbage skeptics can’t resist it ... it’s that good!

19. Sauerkraut 

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German sauerkraut is a must-have side that pairs with almost anything, and Oma’s recipe makes it extra easy. It’s been loved for centuries, and if you’ve got leftovers, her sauerkraut casserole is the perfect next-day dish.

20. German Asparagus

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Spargel, Germany’s beloved white asparagus, is tender, delicate, and totally worth the extra prep time. Fresh is best, but jarred works in a pinch, and if you’re craving green asparagus, don’t miss my air-fried version!

21. Brussels Sprouts

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Rosenkohl (Brussels sprouts) are bold, flavorful, and made extra tasty with Oma’s touch of cream and butter. I wasn’t a fan growing up, but her version totally won me over.

22. German Breaded Cauliflower

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Blumenkohl with buttered breadcrumbs is a comforting family favorite that Oma’s Mutti used to make and now we do too. So yummy and buttery good.

23. German Green Beans

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Grüne bohnen in creamy white sauce were my Uroma’s favorite and now they’re one of mine too. For that traditional flavor, try adding bohnenkraut (bean herb), and don’t forget to save extra beans from Oma’s green bean soup.

24. Creamed Spinach 

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Rahmspinat (creamed spinach) is a classic German side, and I’ve got two easy versions—one with frozen spinach that’s ready in 10 minutes. Both are creamy, comforting, and perfect with eggs or your favorite main dish.

25. Bonus Side Dish: Quark

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Herbed quark may be an unusual side, but it’s a tasty one, perfect with potatoes, roasted veggies, or grilled meats. It’s like sour cream, but with a German twist that’s mega lecker!

Use the recipe for Quark, and stir 1 to 2 teaspoons of lemon juice into 1 cup of quark. Season with salt, pepper, thyme, and dill or parsley. Stir, and it's ready to serve. Keep refrigerated. 

This also makes a great dip for fresh veggies. 

Now it's time to get out the apron and start cooking, baking and creating.

Thanks for checking out our Top 24 Classic German Side Dishes! Be sure to try some out and maybe even find a new family favorite!

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Hi, I'm Oma Gerhild! As a food writer and cookbook author, I'm always looking to find ways to pass on my German heritage using local ingredients. Quick and easy. That's my goal. Wunderbar food. That's the result.