German Style Meatballs - Oktoberfest Recipes (2024)

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We make these meatballs for our annual Oktoberfest at church. Flavorful meatballs in a sweet and sour sauce, loaded with sauerkraut and cranberries.Click to Tweet

Many people celebrate Oktoberfest in the fall. Here is a family favorite we make for our annual dinner at church. Flavorful meatballs in a sweet and sour sauce, loaded with sauerkraut and cranberries. Members of our church like these German Style Meatballs so much, they’ve come to expect it each year.

German Style Meatballs - Oktoberfest Recipes (1)(Post modified with new pictures on 10/11/23.)

This recipe is so easy to prepare. You just need to make sure you have the necessary ingredients, as some of them may not be a regular item stocked in your pantry. These items (for me anyway) are: Onion Soup Mix, Sauerkraut, Chili Sauce, and Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce. It seems like a lot, but really, these meatballs are delicious! And who doesn’t like meatballs, right?

Another item worth noting is that this recipe works really well if you happen to have a lot of ground venison in your freezer. We eat a lot of deer meat, so I’m always looking for ways to use it.

German Style Meatballs - Oktoberfest Recipes (2)You may serve these meatballs as appetizers or as a main dish. And it’s perfect for your next Oktoberfest potluck dinner!

See More Meatball Recipes

  • Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs
  • Potluck Barbecue Meatballs
  • Spaghetti Sauce and Mighty Meatballs
  • Easy Swedish Meatballs

Ingredients for German Style Meatballs

(See full recipe at the bottom of this post.)

  • lean ground beef (80/20 or ground venison)
  • large egg
  • onion soup mix
  • plain bread crumbs or crushed saltine crackers

Sauce

  • sauerkraut
  • whole berry cranberry sauce
  • Chili Sauce (See my Homemade Version Here.)
  • brown sugar
  • water

Instructions for Making this Recipe

German Style Meatballs - Oktoberfest Recipes (3)Preheat oven to 325 degrees. To begin, gather all your ingredients so that you have them in easy access at your workspace.

Make the Meatballs

German Style Meatballs - Oktoberfest Recipes (4)Using a large stainless mixing bowl, mix together the ground burger, large egg, onion soup mix, and bread crumbs, making sure to combine everything thoroughly.

You’ll want to use a lean ground beef for this recipe. Ground venison also works really well.I like to use my hands to make the meatballs. You can also use crushed saltine crackers if you don’t have any bread crumbs.

German Style Meatballs - Oktoberfest Recipes (5)Using a cookie scoop or spoon, shape the mixture into small meatballs.

German Style Meatballs - Oktoberfest Recipes (6)Place in an oblong baking pan sprayed with baking spray. This should make enough meatballs to fill the pan, about 30 meatballs.

Prepare the Sauce

German Style Meatballs - Oktoberfest Recipes (7)In a separate bowl, mix together the sauerkraut, whole cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, and water.

Chili Sauce is one of those items I may not always have in my pantry, so here is an easy Homemade Version if you need it.

German Style Meatballs - Oktoberfest Recipes (8)Spoon the sauce over the meatballs.

German Style Meatballs - Oktoberfest Recipes (9)Bake the meatballs, uncovered for 2 hours. Allow to cool for 15 minutes and then turn the meatballs in the sauce. If you’re planning to take this to a potluck dinner, you may also opt to place the meatballs in a slow cooker to keep warm on low.

German Style Meatballs - Oktoberfest Recipes (10)This recipe will easily serve 8-10 people. Serve as an Appetizer with toothpicks or a Main Dish at your next German Dinner or Oktoberfest Celebration.

I like to serve these meatballs with Bierocks and/or German Spaetzle with Cabbage. Guten Appetit!

Wine Recommendations – Serve with a Dry Riesling such as Chateau Michelle Rieslingor a favorite Gewurztraminer.

See more German Recipes Here. Browse Main Dishes Here. View Appetizes Here.

German Style Meatballs

Many people celebrate Oktoberfest with German food. Here is a family favorite we make for our annual German Dinner at church. Great with Bierocks and/or Spaetzel.

5 from 3 votes

Print RatePin Recipe

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: German

Keyword: Chili Sauce, Cranberry Sauce, Ground Beef, Ground Venison, Meatballs, Onion Soup Mix, Sauerkraut

Prep Time: 25 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours hours

Total Time: 2 hours hours 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 15

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs lean ground beef 80/20 (or ground venison works well, too)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 package onion soup mix
  • 1 cup bread crumbs or crushed saltine crackers

Cranberry Sauce

  • 16 oz sauerkraut drained
  • 14 oz whole berry cranberry sauce
  • 12 oz Heinz Chili Sauce See Homemade Recipe Here.
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 6 oz water fill half of empty Heinz bottle

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Gather your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table.

Prepare the Meatballs

  • In a large stainless mixing bowl, mix together the ground burger, large egg, onion soup mix, and bread crumbs. (You can also use crushed saltine crackers in place of the bread crumbs.)

  • Using a medium cookie scoop, shape into small meatballs. Place in an oblong baking pan sprayed with baking spray.

Make the Sauce

  • In a separate bowl, mix together the drained sauerkraut, whole cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, and water. Spoon mixture over the meatballs.

  • Bake uncovered for 2 hours in preheated oven. Let set for 15 minutes and then turn the meatballs.

  • If you're planning to take this to a potluck dinner, you may also opt to place the meatballs in a slow cooker to keep warm on low. Serves 8-10

Notes

*Wine Recommendations - Serve with a Dry Riesling such as Chateau Michelle Riesling or a favorite Gewurztraminer.

Nutrition

Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 910mg | Potassium: 408mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 189IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 3mg

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German Style Meatballs - Oktoberfest Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What are German meatballs made of? ›

Authentic Königsberger Klopse are made from ground veal, beef, and pork, along with a small amount of anchovies (or sardines or herring), chopped onions, bread crumbs, eggs, and spices.

What is Königsberger Klopse made of? ›

The meatballs are made from very finely minced veal, though less expensive beef or pork is often substituted, along with onions, eggs, a few (white) bread crumbs, and spices, chiefly white pepper. The traditional recipe uses anchovy. If herring is substituted, the dish is called Rostocker Klopse.

What is the difference between a meatball and a frikkadel? ›

Many variations of the frikkadel notwithstanding, what sets the traditional South African frikkadel apart from its meatball cousins are three things: the meat is beef mince; the bread is soaked in milk; and the dish is baked in the oven. Just like ouma used to make it.

What are authentic meatballs made of? ›

Ground beef, pork and veal are the most common choices in Italy when making meatballs. Some prefer just one, others a mix. It's really up to you. We definitely recommend staying away from chicken or turkey, though.

What are Finnish meatballs made of? ›

Mix the ground beef, bread crumbs, onion, egg, cream, salt, and allspice in a bowl with your hands until evenly mixed. Roll the mixture into golf ball-sized balls. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.

Why do people put milk in meatballs? ›

When it comes to adding liquid to meatball mixtures, milk is often used for its versatility, depth of flavor, and richness. Without the use of milk, you may be faced with a plate of dry meatballs. Milk adds a certain level of moisture that helps produce perfectly tender meatballs.

What is the binding ingredient in meatballs? ›

Eggs: Eggs keep the meatballs from drying out and they act as a binding agent, which means they help hold the ingredients together.

What are meatballs in Italy? ›

In Italy, meatballs are called Polpette. Though the ingredients are typically the same as what I am using (except for my grated onion technique) along with a similar tomato sauce, they are larger (about the size of golf balls) and they are served with bread rather than pasta.

What is Swedish meatballs made of? ›

The meatballs themselves are made with a combination of ground beef and pork, along with a touch of allspice and nutmeg. Onions and garlic add flavor and texture, and milk, egg, and breadcrumbs act as a binder. Finally, Parmesan cheese is a little “Cozy” touch that adds a subtle pop of flavor.

What are Fontanini meatballs made of? ›

Made from select cuts of beef, pork and a blend of Italian spices, these meatballs are versatile enough to add anywhere on the menu.

Do Swedish meatballs have horse meat? ›

LONDON — The furniture giant Ikea joined a growing list of brands that have been touched by Europe's food scandal on Monday and withdrew its signature Swedish meatballs from its markets and cafeterias across most of Europe after one batch was found to contain traces of horse meat.

What is the difference between Swedish meatballs and other meatballs? ›

Italian Meatballs vs Swedish Meatballs: Swedish Meatballs are typically smaller in size than Italian meatballs and they are usually made with a 50-50 ratio of ground pork and ground beef.

What are most meatballs made of? ›

Meatballs. Meatballs consist of finely minced meat, vegetables, seasonings, and binders like eggs and breadcrumbs to help keep them together. They are then cooked and served in a myriad of ways. These can be made from chicken, fish, beef, or pork.

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