Christmas Foods and Dishes in German-Speaking Countries 🎄🍽️
- Jens Olesen
- 4 hours ago
- 4 min read
A Delicious Guide to Weihnachtsessen in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
For many, the holiday season in German-speaking countries is defined not just by carols and candles, but by the comforting aroma of roasted goose, spiced biscuits, and mulled wine. From Weihnachtsgans to Stollen, traditional Christmas food reflects a blend of regional diversity, religious history, and a love of hearty, home-cooked meals.
If you’re learning German, discovering festive dishes is both cultural and linguistic enrichment. You’ll pick up new vocabulary, understand idiomatic expressions, and even be able to read Weihnachtsrezepte (Christmas recipes) in German cookbooks!
🎅 German Christmas Food Traditions (Weihnachtsessen in Deutschland)
German Christmas cuisine varies by region—but everywhere, the holidays revolve around family gatherings, warm drinks, and plenty of sweet treats. The main meal is typically served on Heiligabend (Christmas Eve) or am ersten Weihnachtsfeiertag (on Christmas Day).
Common German Christmas dishes include:
German | English |
die Weihnachtsgans | Christmas goose |
der Karpfen | carp (traditional fish dish) |
die Bratwürstchen mit Kartoffelsalat | sausages with potato salad |
der Rotkohl | red cabbage |
die Klöße / Knödel | dumplings |
die Soße / die Bratensoße | gravy |
der Apfelrotkohl | red cabbage with apples |
der Bratapfel | baked apple |
der Lebkuchen | gingerbread |
das Christstollen / der Stollen | fruit bread with marzipan |
die Plätzchen / Weihnachtskekse | Christmas biscuits |
der Glühwein | mulled wine |
Example sentences:
Zu Weihnachten essen wir immer Gans mit Rotkohl und Klößen.– We always eat goose with red cabbage and dumplings at Christmas.
Kinder backen Plätzchen in der Adventszeit.– Children bake biscuits during Advent.
Nach dem Essen trinken die Erwachsenen ein Glas Glühwein.– After dinner, the adults drink a glass of mulled wine.
Cultural note: In many German families, Würstchen mit Kartoffelsalat (sausages with potato salad) is the classic Christmas Eve dinner—a simple meal before the feast on Christmas Day.
🦆 Austria’s Festive Table (Weihnachtsessen in Österreich)
Austrian Christmas food is rich, elegant, and steeped in tradition—often blending Alpine flavours with Central European influences. The Weihnachtsessen is typically enjoyed on 24 December, after the family sings carols and lights the candles on the Christmas tree.
Traditional Austrian dishes include:
German | English |
die Weihnachtsgans / die Ente | roast goose or duck |
der Karpfen blau | carp poached in vinegar stock |
das Wiener Schnitzel | Vienna-style breaded veal |
die Erdäpfelknödel | potato dumplings |
der Rotkraut / das Blaukraut | red cabbage (Austrian variant) |
der Vanillekipferl | vanilla crescent biscuit |
die Linzer Torte | Linzer tart (almond pastry with jam) |
der Punsch | punch (spiced hot drink) |
der Apfelstrudel | apple strudel |
die Mohnnudeln | sweet poppy-seed noodles |
Example sentences:
In Österreich gibt es oft Karpfen oder Gans zu Weihnachten.– In Austria, carp or goose is often served at Christmas.
Zum Dessert essen wir Vanillekipferl und Linzer Torte.– For dessert, we eat vanilla crescents and Linzer tart.
Grammar note: Knödel and Kipferl are plural in usage but can appear in the singular as der Knödel / das Kipferl.
Cultural insight: Austrians love Adventmärkte (Christmas markets) where you can enjoy Punsch, Lebkuchen, and roasted chestnuts (Maroni) while listening to carols.
🏔️ Swiss Christmas Specialties (Weihnachten in der Schweiz)
Switzerland’s Christmas cuisine reflects its multilingual character—German, French, and Italian influences combine to create regional diversity. The festive meal is typically hearty yet simple, often focused on togetherness and quality ingredients.
Popular Swiss Christmas foods:
German | English |
das Fondue Chinoise | meat fondue in broth |
das Käsefondue | cheese fondue |
das Raclette | melted cheese dish |
die Rösti | Swiss-style grated potato pancakes |
die Basler Läckerli | honey-spice biscuits from Basel |
die Mailänderli | buttery Christmas biscuits |
die Brunsli | chocolate almond biscuits |
der Christstollen | fruit loaf (German influence) |
der Glühmost | hot spiced apple cider |
das Weihnachtsgebäck | Christmas cookies and pastries |
Example sentences:
In der Schweiz ist Fondue Chinoise ein beliebtes Weihnachtsessen.– In Switzerland, meat fondue is a popular Christmas dish.
Wir essen Raclette und trinken dazu heißen Glühmost.– We eat raclette and drink hot spiced cider.
Cultural note: Swiss families often enjoy Fondue Chinoise on New Year’s Eve too—it symbolises sharing and community.
🍪 Sweet Traditions: Christmas Baking (Weihnachtsbäckerei)
Baking is central to all German-speaking Christmas traditions. During Advent, kitchens fill with the scent of butter, spices, and sugar as families bake Plätzchen and Kekse together.
Popular festive bakes:
German | English |
der Lebkuchen | gingerbread |
das Spekulatius | spiced biscuit |
der Zimtstern | cinnamon star |
der Vanillekipferl | vanilla crescent |
das Spritzgebäck | piped butter biscuit |
das Christstollen | Christmas fruit bread |
der Pfefferkuchen | gingerbread variant |
das Honigbrot | honey bread |
die Kokosmakrone | coconut macaroon |
die Nussplätzchen | nut biscuits |
Example sentences:
Zimtsterne gehören in Deutschland zu den beliebtesten Weihnachtsplätzchen.– Cinnamon stars are among Germany’s most popular Christmas biscuits.
Meine Oma backt jedes Jahr Stollen nach Familienrezept.– My grandmother bakes Stollen every year from a family recipe.
Language tip: The word Weihnachtsbäckerei (Christmas bakery) is so central that there’s even a famous children’s song called In der Weihnachtsbäckerei—a perfect one to learn if you’re studying German!
☕ Drinks and Festive Beverages (Weihnachtliche Getränke)
No Christmas market is complete without something warm to sip.
German | English |
der Glühwein | mulled wine |
der Kinderpunsch | non-alcoholic punch for children |
der Eierlikör | egg liqueur |
der Glühmost | hot spiced apple cider |
der Kakao mit Sahne | hot chocolate with whipped cream |
Example sentences:
Auf dem Weihnachtsmarkt trinken wir heißen Glühwein.– We drink hot mulled wine at the Christmas market.
Kinder lieben süßen Kinderpunsch.– Children love sweet non-alcoholic punch.
🎓 Learn German Through Christmas Traditions
Learning about food is one of the most delicious ways to learn a language! Reading German recipes or visiting a Weihnachtsmarkt will expose you to practical vocabulary and authentic expressions.
To deepen your understanding of German culture and language, join Olesen Tuition, the top-rated German language school in London, offering:
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Whether you’re baking Plätzchen, sharing Fondue with friends, or raising a mug of Glühwein, learning German through its Christmas food is a recipe for cultural connection and language success.
Frohe Weihnachten und guten Appetit!Merry Christmas and enjoy your meal!
