This copycat German knockwurst sandwich is my version of a terrific sausage sandwich I’d had while on vacation in Northern Wisconsin.
I loved the German sausage sandwich I had SO much, I had it twice during the six days we were on vacation.
And after that first bite, I knew I wanted to replicate it as soon as possible when we got home…so I did!
My Kudos Kitchen copycat version of their knockwurst sandwich is just as delicious as I remember the original sandwich tasting, and now I can eat one whenever I want, without having to travel 6 hours to get one!!
The video below is another popular Kudos Kitchen German recipe I know you’ll also enjoy!
**Please Note – The printable recipe card with detailed instructions and complete ingredient measurements for making this knockwurst sandwich is available near the end of this post.
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The ingredients list for making a German knockwurst sandwich;
**Note – The following list of ingredients contain affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration and shopping convenience.
- Knockwurst Sausage
- Pretzel Buns
- Butter
- Garlic Powder
- Sauerkraut
- Muenster Cheese Slices
- Mayonnaise
- Ketchup
- Sweet Relish
- Prepared Horseradish
- Smoked Paprika
- Black Pepper
Below is the photo I took at the Northern Wisconsin Pub (Otto’s Beer and Brat Garden) of the knockwurst sandwich I had had.
I don’t always take photos of my food at restaurants unless I’m on vacation, or unless it’s something I want to try and recreate.
This time, this sandwich ticked both of those boxes!
In the following photo from Otto’s, you’ll notice they served their sandwich with super crispy kettle chips, and a side of thousand islands dressing.
I wanted to mimic the entire gastronomic experience, so I did the same. Sadly, I forgot the pickle spear. 🙁
Below is my Kudos Kitchen knockwurst sausage sandwich version.
What if I don’t have, or don’t like knockwurst? Can I substitute another type of sausage?
- By all means, substitute any type of sausage you like. Bratwurst, smoked sausage, Polish sausage, and even hot dogs would be a great substitution.
- I suggest, however, if using bratwurst to cook it first, slice it lengthwise and then pan fry it to get the maximum flavor, just like with the knockwurst.
My local grocery store doesn’t carry knockwurst. Where can I purchase it?
I purchased mine at our local butcher shop but sadly, they don’t ship.
You can, however, purchase knockwurst sausage through Amazon.com. I’m leaving the affiliate link in the ingredient list.
What if I don’t like sauerkraut? What then?
Well, since this sandwich is all about Oktoberfest, I would suggest you only add a tiny bit, and then get over it. Just kidding (sort of).
OR, what about using coleslaw as a substitution? It will be a completely different sandwich as far as taste, but still tasty none the less!
For additional German recipes, please click on the following titles for;
*German Bee Sting Cake (Bienenstich) – (pictured below) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen “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. It’s honestly the best cake I think I’ve ever made, and it’s a recipe I’m super excited to share it with you!”
*Homemade German Pretzels from West Via Midwest
*German Onion Soup with Bratwurst (pictured below) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen “German Onion Soup has plenty of caramelized onions, beer, bratwurst and pretzel roll croutons which will soon become a family favorite! Surprise! I’ll bet you didn’t see that coming.”
*Rye Sourdough Spaetzle from The Good Hearted Woman
*German Meatballs with Caraway Cream Mushroom Sauce (pictured below) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen “My love of German flavors and ingredients was the original inspiration for this dish of Hearty German Meatballs with Caraway Mushroom Cream Sauce. It’s a delicious comfort-food recipe, with a German twist.”
*German Onion Pie from An Affair from the Heart
*Slow Cooker German 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 Brat Bites (pictured below and the featured video) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen “Easy Bratwurst Bites Wrapped in Crescent Dough with Sauerkraut Dipping Sauce are just the thing to serve during a party or for tailgating. They’re also super simple to make and everybody loves them!”
*German Knockwurst Sandwich (pictured below)…This is the place!
What is the difference between a knockwurst and a hot dog?
They’re actually very similar except that a knockwurst is sometimes shorter in length and wider in width.
Knockwurst is also typically made with better cuts of meat than your standard run-of-the-mill hot dog.
What is the difference between knockwurst and bratwurst?
Knockwurst is made mainly out of pork and veal and is heavily flavored with garlic.
Bratwurst is made out of pork and beef and without the garlic.
What is the difference between knockwurst and knackwurst?
Only the spelling! LOL 😉
Below are the step by step photos for the making this knockwurst sandwich, starting with the homemade 1000 island sauce.
- In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet relish, prepared horseradish, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Chill until ready to serve.
- Butter both sides of pretzel rolls and sprinkle with garlic powder.
- Bake the rolls in a preheated 350-degree oven until crisp. Approximately 10 minutes. Set aside.
- Slice the knockwurst sausage in half lengthwise and fry them in a skillet with until browned on both sides.
- Remove the skin from the sausage after cooking.
- Place sliced Munster cheese on the bottom buttered bun.
- Top with 2 browned sausage halves, and a liberal helping of sauerkraut.
- Top with additional Munster cheese and bake in a preheated oven until the cheese has melted.
- Top the sandwich with the pretzel roll top, and serve with the 1000 islands dressing, and chips if desired.
Below is the printable recipe card for today’s Knockwurst Sandwich with Sauerkraut & Muenster Cheese.
If you’ve enjoyed this recipe and look forward to making it (or have already made it), I’d appreciate if you’d take a moment to give it feedback by way of stars near the comment section at the end of this post. Thank you so much!
Fried German knockwurst sausage is topped with melted cheese, sauerkraut, and a zippy horseradish sauce and then served on a garlic toasted pretzel roll.
- 4 knockwurst cut in half lengthwise
- 4 pretzel rolls
- 4 tablespoons butter softened
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 cup sauerkraut
- 8 slices Muenster cheese
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- pinch black pepper
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In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, ketchup, pickle relish, horseradish, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Chill until ready to serve.
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Spread the softened butter on both cut sides of the pretzel rolls and sprinkle with garlic powder.
Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven until golden and crispy (approximately 7 – 10 minutes, watching carefully). Remove.
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Cut the sausages in half lengthwise. Remove the outer casing from the sausage.
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In a large skillet, brown the cut sausages on both sides.
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Place one slice of muenster cheese on the bottom bun, top with 2 cooked sausage halves, sauerkraut, and another slice of cheese.
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Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven until the cheese is melted.
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Add the top bun and serve hot along with the prepared 1000 sauce for spreading, or dipping.
Tools and equipment;
small bowl, spoon, measuring spoons, measuring cups, large skillet, chef’s knife, butter knife, baking sheet, baking rack (optional).
I sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed today’s German knockwurst sausage sandwich as much as I’ve enjoyed bringing it to you!
Should you have any questions or comments regarding this recipe or anything else you’ve seen on my site, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly or leave me a comment in the comment section below. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back to you with a reply just as soon as I possibly can!
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Kudos Kitchen by Renée ~ Cooking up artistically delicious family-friendly dishes from my Kudos Kitchen to yours!
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
**Note – The post above includes affiliate links. As always, I truly thank you for your support!
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Holy cow, this sandwich looks phenomenal! I loooove knockwurst, and the flavors here sound amazing. It looks really hearty and scrumptious, I’m excited to try this one!
Thanks, Dini! Hearty is a good way to describe this sandwich 🙂
I have such fond memories of Oktoberfest with my Gpa, gonna make this this weekend, love the pretzel style bun idea too!
I know you’re going to love this sandwich, Justine. Enjoy, and happy Oktoberfest!! 🙂
Can’t wait to try these amazing sandwiches, they’re beyond delicious! And LOVE the pretzel rolls. YUM.
I’m anxious for you to try them too. If you’re like me, you’ll be hooked! Enjoy!
Love this festive sandwich…perfect for an Oktoberfest celebration!
Thanks so much, Marjory! I’m so happy you like it!!
Now this is my kind of sandwich! I’m going to try it with bratwurst since I happen to have some in the fridge (along with sauerkraut, because of course!) but I will start looking for knockwurst too next time I’m at the store!
Brats will work wonderfully well. I’m going to use them next time, too.
Enjoy the sandwich!!
OMG! I need to give this a try!
You honestly do, Toni! I have no doubt you’re going to fall in love with it!
WOW this looks amazing!! I don’t know what I’m more excited about: that cheese or the pretzel bun!! I can’t wait to try it out. Thank you so much for sharing!
I know you’ll love this sandwich, Miranda. Enjoy!
I just tried this recipe over the weekend and I was SO happy with it!!!! Thank you for sharing!
That is wonderful. Thanks so much for letting me know!
Have a great day!
I’m so pumped for Oktoberfest, but I’ve never had knockwurst before. What type of sausage is it exactly tysm
Hi, Cindy!
A knockwurst is like a shorter, fatter hot dog but with better cuts of meat…and garlic!!
Happy Oktoberfest. Enjoy!
Renee
This is a mouthwatering post from beginning to end!! It just got bumped to the top of my “must try” list!
Good call, Beth! It’s a winner for sure. Enjoy!
Renee