25 German Cold Dinner Ideas (Brotzeit)

In this post, I’ll share 25 German cold dinner ideas for a delicious homemade Brotzeit.

What do I mean by Brotzeit? A hearty snack or light meal for hiking, cycling, the beer garden or a relaxed evening. Where I come from, we also call it Vesper. A typical Bavarian Brotzeit has good bread, pretzels, cheese, all kinds of sausage, Obazda, white radish, pickles or boiled eggs.

These recipes are perfect for a cold supper, guests or a quick snack. I’ve divided the ideas into 6 groups: meat and sausage, cheese, fish, vegetarian options, spreads and bread. Most are my own recipes, with complete instructions on this site where an English version is available.

Enjoy browsing, and have fun making them!

Brotzeit ideas with meat and sausage

1. Arrange a sausage platter

The ultimate classic. A beautifully arranged platter of different sausages is the centerpiece of any Brotzeit. I’ll show you how to present it in my guide to arranging a sausage platter.

2. Homemade liverwurst

Who can resist liverwurst on bread, especially homemade? It’s easier to make than you might think, and homemade simply tastes best. Try my liverwurst recipe.

3. Butcher-style Fleischsalat

A good Fleischsalat belongs on every Brotzeit platter. My recipe tastes like the butcher’s version and comes together quickly. It’s perfect on farmhouse bread. Try my Fleischsalat recipe.

4. Bierschinken

Bierschinken is a Bavarian Brotzeit classic. Serve thin slices on bread with a little mustard and a radish alongside. Honestly, it’s one of my favorite cold cuts. Try my Bierschinken recipe.

5. Fleischwurst

Good Fleischwurst, thickly sliced with mustard and bread, makes a perfect quick Brotzeit and is always popular with children. Try my Fleischwurst recipe.

6. Cooked ham

Homemade cooked ham is in a different league from supermarket ham. On a fresh buttered roll, it’s pure pleasure. Try my cooked ham recipe.

7. Corned beef

Everyone knows canned corned beef, but homemade is wonderful. Serve thin slices on dark rye bread with a dab of mustard. It’s also great fried in a pan for a warm Brotzeit. Try my corned beef recipe.

8. Liver pâté

Smooth liver pâté on baguette with a few cornichons is Brotzeit with a French touch, and it tastes fantastic. Try my liver pâté recipe.

Brotzeit ideas with cheese

9. Obazda

No Bavarian Brotzeit is complete without it. Obazda appears in every beer garden and tastes creamy and cheesy on bread or a pretzel. Try my Obazda recipe.

10. Erdäpfelkas (potato cheese)

Erdäpfelkas is a little-known Bavarian classic: a creamy potato and quark spread that tastes fantastic on farmhouse bread. It’s perfect for a traditional Brotzeit for guests. Try my homemade Erdäpfelkas recipe.

11. Feta spread

A quick, savory feta spread that’s ready in minutes. It’s great with bread or crackers, or as a dip for vegetable sticks. Try my feta spread recipe.

Brotzeit ideas with fish

12. Gravlax

Gravlax is one of my favorite Brotzeit ideas for guests. Cured salmon on a bagel or dark rye bread with mustard-dill sauce looks great and tastes fantastic. Try my gravlax recipe.

Vegetarian Brotzeit ideas

13. Vegan mushroom and walnut spread

Love mushrooms? This spread is for you. It’s 100 % vegan, easy to make and delicious on fresh bread. Try my mushroom and walnut spread recipe.

14. Egg salad

Creamy egg salad is a classic that belongs in any Brotzeit. With a slice of bread, it’s irresistible. I share 3 variations, including one without mayonnaise, in my egg salad recipe.

15. Eggplant spread

A smoky, creamy spread made from roasted eggplant. It’s vegetarian, quick to make and lovely on fresh bread or as a dip. It also works well for a lighter cold supper. Try my eggplant spread recipe.

Brotzeit ideas: spreads and salads

16. Griebenschmalz

Crackling lard on dark rye bread with a little salt: hearty, simple and, to me, the essence of a good Brotzeit. It’s easy to make and tastes better than anything from the shop. Try my Griebenschmalz recipe.

17. Rillettes

Rillettes are a little like the French version of Schmalz, only better: tender shredded meat in its own fat, served on baguette or bread. They’re a perfect Brotzeit idea for guests looking for something special. Try my rillettes recipe.

18. Duck rillettes

For something even more refined, try duck rillettes. The flavor is wonderfully intense, and they look great on a crisp crostini. Try my duck rillettes recipe.

19. Goose rillettes

For another special option, try goose rillettes. They’re perfect for impressing guests in the colder months, served on bread or crackers. Try my goose rillettes recipe.

20. Currywurst spread

It sounds unusual but tastes fantastic: a spread with the flavor of currywurst that works beautifully on bread. Quick to make and perfect for anyone who likes something a little different. Try my currywurst spread recipe.

21. Deviled ham

I completely underestimated this savory American spread. It’s spicy, creamy and full of flavor on toast or bread. Try my deviled ham recipe.

22. Chicken salad

Chicken salad is a lighter alternative to Fleischsalat and a classic on bread. I share 3 variations, from classic to curry. Make it ahead and keep it in the fridge for a quick Brotzeit. Try my chicken salad recipe.

Bread recipes for the perfect Brotzeit

23. Lye pretzels

A good pretzel belongs in every Bavarian Brotzeit. Homemade with real lye, it tastes even better than a bakery pretzel. Honestly, this is one of my favorite recipes. Try my lye pretzel recipe.

24. Sourdough bread

Baking your own bread is wonderful. A really good sourdough loaf is the perfect foundation for any Brotzeit. You know exactly what’s in it, and the flavor is incomparable. Find the full recipe at Eat this.

25. Rosemary focaccia

Focaccia belongs with an Italian Brotzeit. With just a few ingredients, it comes together quickly and goes beautifully with spreads, cheese or simply olive oil. Find the recipe at ichmussbacken.

I hope you enjoyed these 25 Brotzeit ideas. Whether you’re planning a cold supper, a snack, a gathering or even breakfast, this selection gives you plenty of ways to make a great Brotzeit. You’ll find more in my recipe collection. Enjoy!