German Onion Soup has plenty of caramelized onions, beer, bratwurst, and pretzel roll croutons.
This delicious and hearty caramelized onion soup with a German flair will soon become a family favorite!
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**Please Note - The printable recipe card with detailed instructions and complete ingredient measurements for making German Onion Soup is available near the end of this post. OR click on the "jump to recipe" button (found above) to be taken directly to the recipe.
Enjoy the delicious TASTE OF GERMANY delivered straight to your home!
The ingredient list:
**Note - The following lists of ingredients plus kitchen tools and equipment contain affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration and shopping convenience. #CommissionsEarned
- bratwurst
- onions
- beer (your favorite variety)
- pretzel rolls
- butter
- olive oil
- flour
- beef stock
- brown sugar
- bay leaves
- nutmeg
- Swiss Cheese
Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- large stockpot or Dutch oven
- chef's knife
- cutting board
- wooden spoon
- measuring spoons
- microplane (for grating fresh nutmeg, optional)
- cheese grater (optional)
- soup ladle
The history of this recipe:
Today's recipe post for German soup featuring German sausage is a recipe re-do from one I shared back in 2013.
Since I wanted to update the post, I also decided to update the photos, and the croutons from rye to pretzel roll.
The result is every bit as tasty as what I shared back in 2013 and one I know your entire family will enjoy! It always gets two thumbs up from anyone who's tried it.
How this German caramelized onion soup recipe came to be:
I first made this German-inspired soup a few years back when I started making traditional French onion soup.
However, before I knew it I had veered off course and decided to travel to Germany instead.
I'm SO glad I did because this soup is insanely delicious!!
Can this soup be frozen?
YES!
Store it well in a freezer-safe container (without the croutons) for up to 6 months.
Thaw the soup completely before reheating.
Do I have to use beer to make this soup?
No, but it does add to the flavor.
If you're concerned about alcohol involvement, why not consider using a non-alcoholic beer?
Or, you can substitute extra beef stock in place of the beer, or what about a dry white wine? Those are also great options in place of the beer.
The easy instructions:
- In a large stockpot, heat olive oil and butter.
- Meanwhile cut 2-3 pretzel rolls into 1" cubes.
- Add the cubes to the pot, stir well and cook until well browned.
- Once the croutons are well browned, remove them from the pan and set aside.
- Add the bratwurst to the pan over brown well over medium/high heat.
- Once brown, remove the sausage and set aside.
- Add more olive oil to the pan along with 4-5 chopped, sweet onions.
- Cook the onions in the pan over medium heat with salt and pepper, stirring frequently, until cooked down and caramelized (about 15 minutes).
- Once the onions are caramelized, add 3 tablespoons of flour and stir well to combine.
- Cook an additional 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add 12 ounces of beer to the cooked and caramelized onions and flour, along with 4 cups beef stock, 1 teaspoon brown sugar and 3 bay leaves.
- Grate fresh nutmeg into the pot and return the browned sausage to the soup.
- Stir well and simmer for at least 20 minutes before serving and removing the bay leaves.
- To serve, top each portion of soup with pretzel roll croutons and a sprinkling of Swiss cheese. Enjoy!
Additional German-inspired recipes:
*Bratwurst Bites (pictured below, and showcased in the featured video) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen.
Easy Bratwurst Bites appetizers are just the thing to serve during a party or for game day. They’re also super simple to make and everybody loves them! SCORE!
*German Potato Dumplings from Masala Herb
*German Plum Cake (Pflaumenkuchen) from Little Sunny Kitchen
*German Bee Sting Cake (Bienenstich) (pictured below) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen
German Bee Sting Cake is a yeasted cake with a beautiful texture, fantastic honey flavor (hence the name), a beautifully caramelized almond topping, not to mention a thick, creamy vanilla filling.
*Braised Red Cabbage from West Via Midwest
*German Cucumber Salad from Turning Back the Clock
*Knockwurst Sandwich with Sauerkraut and Munster Cheese - (pictured below) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen
This copycat German knockwurst sandwich is my version of a terrific sausage sandwich I’d had while on vacation in Northern Wisconsin.
*Instant Pot Sauerkraut from My Sequined Life
*German Potato Soup from Food and Journeys
*Slow Cooker Pork Ribs and Sauerkraut - (pictured below) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen
Nothing speaks to the flavors of a German dinner more than pork and sauerkraut. This easy recipe for German Pork Ribs with Sauerkraut for the slow cooker brings the family to the dinner table with a minimum of effort.
*German Potato Pancakes from Masala Herb
*German Red Wine and Chocolate Cake from Food and Journeys
*German Spaetzle Casserole with Cheese and Crispy Onions - (pictured below) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen
Buttered German egg dumplings (spaetzle) are layered in a casserole dish along with shredded Gruyere cheese and crispy, crunchy onions to bring you this delicious recipe for Layered German Spaetzle Casserole with Cheese & Crispy Onions.
*German Onion Soup (pictured below) THIS IS THE PLACE!!
Below is the printable recipe card along with the nutritional information for making German Onion Soup.
German Onion Soup
Ingredients
- 3 pretzel rolls cut into 1" cubes
- 4 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 pound bratwurst casings removed and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4-5 large sweet onions chopped into bite-sized chunks
- 2 teaspoons coarse salt divided
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 12 ounces beer
- 4 cups beef stock or broth
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 2-3 large bay leaves
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 4-5 ounces Swiss cheese shredded
Instructions
- In a large stockpot, melt 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
- Add the pretzel cubes and cook, stirring frequently until golden and crunchy. *Note - watch the croutons closely as they burn quickly.
- Remove the browned croutons and set aside.
- Add the prepared bratwurst to the pan and increase the heat to medium/high. Brown the sausage, stirring occasionally until browned well on all sides.
- Remove the sausage from the pan and set aside.
- Add the remaining olive oil and butter to the stockpot along with the chopped onions.
- Stir well and add the salt and pepper.
- Continue cooking and stirring the onions occasionally until the onions are golden in color and reduced in volume (approximately 12-15 minutes).
- Add the flour to the caramelized onion and cook, stirring well for 1-2 minutes.
- Slowly add the beer and beef stock to the pot.
- Stir in the brown sugar, bay leaves, and grated nutmeg.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the browned bratwurst back to the pot.
- Stir well and simmer for at least 15 minutes, longer if you have the time.
- Remove the bay leaves.
- Serve the German Onion Soup topped with the pretzel croutons and the shredded Swiss cheese.
Notes
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's recipe for German onion beer soup with sausage as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!
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Cindy says
Looks so good - I want to make it for Thanksgiving if that doesn't sound too crazy! Would it be better with dark beer or a pilsner?
Renée says
Not crazy at all. I want to come to YOUR house for Thanksgiving!! 🙂
Britni says
Love that this soup brings me a bit of Germany while I can't travel! Love the flavors and the croutons!
Renée says
Right? Me too! I also go crazy for those croutons!
Enjoy, Britni!
Janis says
This recipe is going to be fabulous. I can tell by just reading it. I will try it tomorrow.
The print button does not work on the Pinterest site. I’ll try Facebook. Perhaps I can print it from there.
Yum! I can’t wait to try this.
Renée says
Hi, Janis!
I do hope you can print the recipe. It's one of my absolute favorites and I know you're going to love is as well.
Enjoy, and thanks so much for visiting. 🙂
Renee
Helene says
I can see how this soup will be a hit at home! Time to take out the Brezn and Laugenstangerl. 😀
Renée says
Thanks, Helene! Whatever you say. LOL
Claudia Lamascolo says
This looks outstanding we just love German food, this is over the top! Love the pretzel in this too. So comforting!
Renée says
Thank you, Claudia! It really is a fabulous soup. I'm glad you think so too.
Rebecca Hubbell says
The flavor of this soup is out of this world good! So cozy and delicious! Planning on making it all winter long!
Renée says
I think that's a great idea, Rebecca! Yay!!
Kasey Schwartz says
German Oktoberfest is one of my fav times of the year! I am excited to try this yummy soup!!!
Renée says
Ours, too. I know you're going to love this soup. Enjoy!!
April says
This soup is all the best flavors of Oktoberfest in one yummy bowl! It's a favorite for me, nom nom nom.
Renée says
That's good to hear. It's a favorite of ours too! Thanks!!
Anne @ Webicurean says
Boy does this sound good--I love the idea of putting a twist on French Onion--can't wait to try it!
Faye Leong says
Wow...what a fabulous soup in all the wonderful ingredients in. Great recipe!
Alice Choi says
This soup is perfect for an Oktoberfest celebration! love it!
Sarah Reid says
Whoa! My stepfamily would go NUTS for this
Amy Kim (@kimchi_mom) says
So hearty and rich. I love the addition of bratwurst and rye croutons! Thank you for sharing!
Is the Oktoberfest painting by you? I love it! I will have to check out your gallery....
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
Rye croutons!! Love that idea!
Cheryl King says
This looks yummy, I'll have to try it. Thanks for sharing!
Tara says
What a great idea and perfect for Oktoberfest!! Love it!!
Renee Goerger says
Thank you Tara!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
Never heard of this before but it's right up my alley!
Renee Goerger says
I came up with the idea one night when I was planning on making French onion soup. As much as I love it, I wanted to play around with the flavors and ingredients and see what happened. It totally worked and I've been making it ever since. Glad you like it Dorothy!
Stacy says
Oh, man! Onion soup with sausage and beer? I am in! Pinning this on my Recipes to Try board! What a great variation on the traditional French onion soup, Renee!
Renee Goerger says
Thanks Stacy! Glad you like it 🙂
The Wimpy Vegetarian says
Fantastic idea. My husband would LOVE this!!
Renee Goerger says
My husband sure does. It's husband friendly 🙂
Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez says
Brilliant idea, Renee! As much as I love French Onion Soup, I'm 100% sure I'd love German Onion Soup even more! Brats...rye...swiss...sigh. I'm SO making this soon.
Renee Goerger says
I know, right? What's not to love? Glad you like it Heather. Hope you'll try and let me know what you think.
Conni Foodiearmywife Smith says
YUM!!!! I'm saving this one to make for the fam!
Renee Goerger says
I hope you do Connie. It's one my family truly enjoys! Please let me know how you like it when you do.
Jen @JuaniasCocina says
Now THIS is my kinda soup. I have been looking forward to seeing what went in this soup since I saw your title! And it totally lives up to the hype!
Renee Goerger says
LOL. Didn't know there was any hype but that makes me laugh. It's a recipe I concocted on night on a whim when I was originally going to make French onion soup but veered off course 🙂
Liz Berg says
Such a yummy twist on French Onion Soup! I love the addition of bratwurst...so hearty and delicious!
Renee Goerger says
Thanks so much Liz!