Table of Contents

Thuringian Cuisine

Thüringer Rostbratwurst

Perhaps the most famous dish from Thuringia, the Thüringer Rostbratwurst is a traditional sausage seasoned with caraway, marjoram, and garlic. It's typically grilled and served with mustard in a bread roll. 1)

Thüringer Klöße (Thuringian Dumplings)

These potato dumplings are a staple in Thuringian cuisine. They are made from a mixture of raw and cooked potatoes and are often served as a side dish with rich gravy, roast meats, or venison. 2)

Rinderroulade

A popular Sunday dish, Rinderroulade consists of beef rolls filled with onions, pickles, bacon, and mustard, then slow-cooked in a flavorful broth. It’s traditionally served with red cabbage and Thuringian dumplings. 3)

Wartburg Cake

Named after the famous Wartburg Castle in Eisenach, this cake features layers of chocolate sponge, fruit jam, and cream, all topped with a layer of chocolate glaze. It's a treat served with coffee or tea. 4)

Himmel und Erde (Heaven and Earth)

A traditional dish combining mashed potatoes (earth) and applesauce (heaven), often served with blood sausage or liver sausage. It’s a simple yet flavorful combination of sweet and savory. 5)

Schwarze Klöße

These are another variation of potato dumplings, made with raw, grated potatoes that give them a darker color. They are often served with fried onions, bacon, and gravy. 6)

Thüringer Rostbrätel

A marinated pork steak, typically soaked in a mix of beer, onions, mustard, and spices, and then grilled. It’s a popular dish for barbecues and is often served with bread or potato salad. 7)

Leberwurst (Liver Sausage)

Thuringia is known for its liver sausages, which are made from pork liver, meat, and fat, and spiced with marjoram, thyme, and other herbs. It’s typically spread on bread and enjoyed with pickles or mustard. 8)

Blechkuchen

A sheet cake made with yeast dough, topped with various fruits like plums, apples, or cherries, and sometimes a streusel topping. This simple yet delicious cake is commonly served in households across Thuringia. 9)

Thüringer Mohnkuchen

A specialty poppy seed cake, made with a buttery dough and a rich layer of ground poppy seeds mixed with sugar and milk. It’s a beloved treat often served during the holiday season. 10)

Eierkuchen

Known as Thuringian pancakes, these are thin, crepe-like pancakes often served with sweet toppings like sugar, applesauce, or jam, though savory fillings like cheese or ham are also popular. 11)

Zwiebelkuchen (Onion Cake)

A savory tart made with a yeast dough base and topped with sautéed onions, cream, and bacon. It’s especially popular in the autumn during the wine harvest and is often paired with a glass of Federweißer (young wine). 12)

Schlachteplatte

A traditional butcher’s platter, featuring a variety of freshly made sausages, blood pudding, and other pork products, served with sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, or dumplings. This dish celebrates the region’s rich sausage-making traditions. 13)

Eisenacher Bratwurst

A variation of the famous Thuringian sausage, but with a spicier flavor, named after the town of Eisenach. It’s often grilled and served with a tangy mustard and potato salad. 14)

Thüringer Sauerbraten

This is the Thuringian version of sauerbraten, a marinated beef roast slow-cooked with vinegar, onions, and spices. The tangy sauce is usually served with potato dumplings and red cabbage. 15)