Top Foods to Celebrate Oktoberfest
All around the world, Oktoberfest brings to mind mainly two things: festivities and beer. But Oktoberfest isn’t all about going to festivals. Bring the celebration home or anywhere with friends and loved ones with a trusty backyard grill like your Napoleon Prestige PRO 500 or a portable grill like the Napoleon TravelQ™ PRO285X - because it simply isn’t an Oktoberfest feast without grilled food!
If there is one attribute that all Oktoberfest foods share, it’s that they all match so well with beer. And why not? After all, beer is a major part of the Oktoberfest spirit. So no question, grilled and roasted food is a staple here. A few traditional dishes include roast chicken, roast pork, grilled sausages, pretzels, mashed potatoes, and sauerkraut. But there really isn’t a fixed list to adhere to. Oktoberfest isn’t meant to be that rigid! Add a twist to these dishes or prepare something similar - as long as it’s good hearty food paired with merriment and fun, you’ve got yourself an awesome Oktoberfest meal.
So get ready to toast Ziggy Zaggy, Ziggy Zaggy, Oi, Oi, Oi! with these Oktoberfest-inspired foods!
1. Boneless Prime Rib Roast
Roast beef is often seen as the star of Oktoberfest foods - and with good reason. Not only is it absolutely delicious but its taste pairs so well with various kinds of beer.
This boneless prime rib roast recipe that we listed here will keep your guests wanting more. Red wine and Worcestershire sauce on roast beef adds a welcome zing and the naturally wonderful taste of beef is accentuated further with rosemary, thyme, garlic, carrots, and celery. There’s so much richness and depth to the flavor to this dish, making it taste like it was marinated for much longer than it really has been. All-in-all, the dish takes about 65 minutes to prepare and about 2 hours to cook - but the amount of joy it brings to the table is well worth it!
Want to serve up this savory roasted beef for Oktoberfest? Then check out the full recipe here!
2. Crown Roast of Pork
If you’ve ever been to an Oktoberfest event, you may have been served grilled pork knuckles at some point. As delicious as this dish is, the aesthetic of it can be somewhat wanting - though granted, it has a rustic appeal.
For your Oktoberfest celebration, you can try this crown roast of pork recipe - which sacrifices neither taste nor aesthetic. Okay, what an understatement that was - this dish looks insanely fancy and comes with the taste to match! Here, we use racks of pork. Being close to the bone, this part is beautifully savory - similar to pork knuckles. Take that natural savory goodness and combine it with garlic, thyme, shallots, apples, and Dijon mustard and you’ve got yourself a crowd favorite for your Oktoberfest spread!
You’d think a dish like this takes some special skill to prepare but it’s actually fairly easy. It takes 30 minutes to prepare and 2 hours to cook. It may seem like a long time but that is time well spent - because this dish never disappoints!
Looking to try this roasted pork for your Oktoberfest celebration? Then head on over to our recipe page for the full instructions!
3. Plank Smoked Mashed Potatoes
It won’t be Oktoberfest without the mashed potatoes. Take your favorite, delicious, and buttery mashed potato recipe to new levels this Oktoberfest. Use a plank or wood chips to add smoke flavor to those mashed potatoes. This must-try trick is perfect for any occasion, especially an Oktoberfest BBQ.
This plank smoked mashed potato recipe takes you through the quick and easy steps to cooking a delicious side dish with hints of butter, garlic, onion, and dill. By smoking this dish on a plank, it really adds a whole new dimension to the flavor. The best part is, it’s super easy and would only take about an hour to prepare.
Ready to add a smokey flare to your Oktoberfest mashed potatoes? Then head on over to our recipe page to view the steps!
4. Kahlua Chocolate Cake with Strawberries & Cream
Chocolate cake is a popular dessert for the modern-day Oktoberfest. Of course, a rich-tasting dessert is the perfect way to end a hearty meal. Usually, it’s a black forest cake - to keep the recipe as German as possible. But if you want to add a unique twist to your Oktoberfest dessert - why not try this Kahlua chocolate cake recipe with strawberries & cream?
Kahlua is a coffee liqueur that adds a welcome but subtle kick in any chocolate cake recipe. Top it all off with strawberries and cream and you’ve got a decadent, sweet treat for your loved ones to enjoy. Furthermore, you can make this cake purely on the grill - a little known fact about the grill’s versatility - and it takes only a little over an hour to make.
Looking to add sweetness to your Oktoberfest celebration - while also surprising loved ones with a grilled chocolate cake? Then check out this recipe on how to prepare it!
What’s your favourite grilled recipe for Oktoberfest? Do you have your own special Oktoberfest recipes? Or perhaps you have a favorite from this list? We’d love to hear all about it. Follow Napoleon on our Instagram or Facebook and share your favourite Oktoberfest recipes!