This German Currywurst Recipe is the ultimate German street food. Bratwurst is slathered with curry ketchup and served with fries or bread for a simple and flavorful dish that you can whip up in only 30 minutes!
Looking for more German-inspired recipes? Try my Black Forest Cake and my Apple Strudel Recipe!
Two words: German currywurst. Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like. Pan-fried German bratwurst is sliced and slathered with curry ketchup (and if you feel like going all out, serve it with a side of crinkle fries and mayonnaise.) So flipping good.
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🌭 History of Currywurst
The origin of currywurst goes back to 1949, when German housewife, Herta Heuwer, ended up getting ketchup and curry powder from a British soldier. She mixed those ingredients and a few others, and voila! Currywurst was born. She started a successful food stand, and Currywurst still remains a popular fast food icon in Germany to this day!
❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Cheap and Easy: This homemade currywurst has all the flavor and texture of a dish you'd order at a restaurant (or food stand!), but it's easy and cheap to whip up in your own kitchen.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Whether you're serving it for family or friends, this recipe always gets rave reviews.
- Makes Great Leftovers: Currywurst reheats really well, so you can enjoy it the next day!
🛒Ingredients
- Bratwurst: Make sure you use high-quality bratwurst.
- Baking soda: I know baking soda seems like a weird ingredient, but it helps neutralize the ketchup's acidity.
- Cayenne pepper: If you prefer more spiciness, you can increase the amount of cayenne added. Just be sure to taste as you go!
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
🔄 Substitutions & Variations
- Ketchup: Tomato paste or sauce works in a pinch, but it will give the sauce a less sweet flavor.
🔪How to Make This German Currywurst Recipe
- Cut short vertical slits on both sides of the brats.
- Heat oil in a skillet. Fry brats until browned.
- In the same skillet, cook the onions until soft and translucent. Add the garlic and curry powder.
- Add the ketchup and baking soda. Reduce the heat to low. Add the remaining sauce ingredients.
- Remove from heat. Use an immersion blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour the sauce over the brats and dust with curry powder. Serve with french fries or a crispy bread roll.
🌟Expert Tips
- Pan-sear the brats for a crispy skin - Cooking the sausage until the skin is nicely browned adds a really nice texture that tastes so good with the sauce.
- Make it saucy - Don't skimp on the curry ketchup! Slather the cooked bratwurst in it, you won't regret it.
- Adjust spice level - Add a pinch of cayenne or chili powder to the sauce if you want it spicier, or stick with just curry powder for a milder version.
- Double the sauce - The curry ketchup stores well in the fridge for up to a week and it tastes great on burgers, grilled chicken, or roasted veggies too.
💭 FAQs
Currywurst is traditionally served with french fries or a crispy bread roll (Brötchen.)
The only difference between the two is the way it's served! Bratwurst is a type of German sausage and currywurst is made with Bratwurst that is doused in a curry ketchup sauce.
🍛More Easy Dinner Recipes to Try
📋 Recipe
German Currywurst
Ingredients
- 4 bratwurst sausages
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoon yellow curry powder
- 1 cup ketchup
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoon paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- yellow curry powder garnish
Instructions
- Cut slits on both sides of the brats to prevent them from bursting while cooking.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry brats for 8-10 minutes, turning several times while they cook, or until browned. Transfer to a plate.
- In the same skillet, cook the onions until soft and translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add the garlic and curry powder. Cook for another minute or until fragrant.
- Add the ketchup and baking soda, and simmer until the foaming subsides. Reduce the heat to low. Add the remaining sauce ingredients: Worcestershire sauce, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Bring to a simmer for 5-10 minutes.
- Remove from heat. Use an immersion blender and blend the sauce until smooth.
- Pour the sauce over the brats and dust with extra curry powder. Serve with French fries or crispy bread.
Ashley Amundsen says
If you're looking for an easy and flavorful dinner recipe, this one is a winner! My family loves this yummy currywurst (even my kids!) It's even simple enough to make on busy weeknights. Win-win!