German BBQ recipes

by Leonie Milde
contributing writer

Germans love a good summer barbecue as much as Americans do but what they put on their plates doesn’t exactly resemble hot dogs, burgers and co. These recipes can easily be prepared in advance and modified to taste without losing any of its traditional deliciousness for your next German BBQ.

Chicken kabobs

Main dish
Voilà, another easy dish that bursts with flavor, protein and vitamins. Children can help with the assembly and choose their favorite vegetables to make sure everyone is happy.

Start to finish: 15 minutes (+ time on grill), Servings: 4

18 ounces chicken
1 bell pepper
10 mushrooms
1 zucchini
1 eggplant
5 ounces cherry tomatoes
5 tablespoons olive oil
salt, pepper, oregano, paprica, thyme, turmeric to taste
15 kabob sticks

Wash, dry and cube or slice the chicken and vegetables. Alternate between meat and vegetables when assembling your masterpiece on the sticks. Mix olive oil and spices in a bowl before coating the chicken. Grill on all sides until well done.

Wurstsalat

Main dish
The idea of turning sausages into a salad might just be the most German one yet. Yup, no green stuff, just sausage. This can serve as a main dish or sandwich topping. Popular sides include fried potatoes, fries and black bread.

Start to finish: 20 minutes, Servings: 4

9 ounces Bologna (preferably thinly sliced)
7 ounces Gouda (or any other kind of hard cheese)
1 medium sized onion
5 pickled gherkins
3 tablespoons vinegar
6 tablespoons vegetable oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: 1 tablespoon mustard, chives and radishes

Cut everything into very thin strips. Mix with the vinegar, oil and mustard. Let it sit in the fridge for a few hours.
Tip: Serve it on a toasted or grilled slice of bread with plenty of garlic or herb butter.

Infused Water

Drink
Fruity water is the perfect alternative to soda since it is just as tasty, less sticky and a lot healthier. Here are 6 super easy, yet exotic, ways to stay hydrated this summer without sacrificing any of the flavor you’re used to.

Start to finish: 5-10 minutes, Servings: 4

Combo 1: 1 lime, 1 lemon, 1 orange
Combo 2: 2 cups blackberries, 1 sprig of sage
Combo 3: 2 cups watermelon, 1 sprig of rosemary
Combo 4: 2 cups pineapple, 1 sprig of mint
Combo 5: 2 cups raspberries, 1 lime
Combo 6: 1/3 cucumber, 3 sprigs of lavender and 2 sprigs of mint

Mix/mash a sliced or cubed selection of these ingredients in a jar or pitcher and add 32 ounces of flat or sparkling water. Let it sit in the fridge for at least one hour. Finish the look with some ice cubes. Almost all fruits, vegetables and herbs (fresh and frozen) can be used, so get creative!
Some combinations may seem odd at first but don’t hesitate to try your way through them.
Tip: If you want it to be sweeter, you can add a little honey or agave syrup.
(Recipe by www.theyummylife.com)

Hessian potato salad

Side dish
Every German will tell you how you’re preparing your potato salad is wrong. It’s not personal. It’s regional. Using mayonnaise is a classic way to go but not summer-friendly so here’s the Hessian way: simple, hearty and safe to sit in the sun.

Start to finish: 15 minutes (+30 to boil potatoes), Servings: 4

1kg potatoes (any waxy kind will do)
1 cup vegetable or beef broth
7 tablespoons vinegar
1 onion
1 tablespoon mustard (optional)
chives, parsley, salt, pepper

Boil the potatoes (a day in advance, if possible) and store at room temperature. Sauté the finely chopped onions and bacon. Dissolve the mustard in broth; let cool. Thinly slice the potatoes. Fold the potatoes into the dressing mixture before adding onions, chives and parsley.
Tip: My grandma serves it with crispy strips of bacon and cherry tomatoes on top.

Stuffed bell pepper

Side dish
A staple on German dinner tables that is often made in the oven but works perfectly on a grill as well. Try to look for symmetric bell peppers when shopping to make sure they don’t fall over.

Start to finish: 15 minutes (+25 on grill), Servings: 6

3 bell peppers
10 ounces feta cheese
10 ounces cherry tomatoes
4 ounces spring onions
1 ounce chives
2 tablespoons soy sauce
half a clove of garlic, crushed
salt, pepper, chili flakes
shredded cheese of choice

Preheat grill to lowest flame. Cube feta, tomatoes, onions and put them in a bowl. Season with soy sauc, olive oil and spices. Mix well. Scoop out the washed and halved bell peppers’ insides. Stuff them and sprinkle cheese on top. Put on an aluminum tray and close the grill’s lid. Broil for 20-25 minutes. Check frequently.
Tip: Add minced meat to use it as a main dish.

Arugula & pasta salad

Side dish
Pasta salad can probably be found at every single BBQ buffet in Germany. Why? Because it’s delicious, nutritious and quick to make. Experiment with different vegetables, meat, cheese and more to find your personal favorite.

Start to finish: 20 minutes (+10 to boil pasta), Servings: 6

10 ounces pasta
10 ounces arugula (rocket leaves)
20 cherry tomatoes
15 dried tomatoes
1.5 bell pepper
3 ounces nuts or seeds of choice
7 ounces soft goat’s cheese or feta cheese
8 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoon mustard
4 tablespoons honey
6 tablespoons vegetable oil
Salt, pepper, chili flakes, cumin, turmeric

Boil the pasta according to package insturctions and let cool. Dice the vegetables. Roast the nuts in a hot, oil-free pan. This only takes a few seconds, so don’t take your eyes off it. Mix the dressing (season to liking) and pour over the noodles and vegetables. Sprinkle cheese and seeds on top.
Tip: Perfect to take on the go. Store it in a food container and off you go to picnics, parties, school or work.