How to Make Currywurst: A Classic German Street Food at Home
While German breads and beers are well-known, Currywurst is the dish that best embodies the country’s fast-food culture. In addition to being a popular in Berlin, where it first appeared, this famous street dish is also well-liked throughout the nation and even abroad.
This tutorial will show you how to create true currywurst at home, with the renowned curry ketchup sauce and flawlessly grilled sausage, whether you’ve been to Germany and fell in love with currywurst or are just interested in sampling some of its culture.
What is Currywurst?
Currywurst, which is commonly eaten with fries or a bread roll (Brötchen), is sliced German sausage (usually bratwurst or bockwurst) covered in a sweet-spicy, tangy curry ketchup. The now-famous sauce was created in 1949 in Berlin by a woman named Herta Heuwer, who obtained curry powder and ketchup from British soldiers and combined them with other spices.
Today, over 800 million currywursts are eaten in Germany every year — proof that this is not just a passing trend but a beloved culinary tradition.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s collect the ingredients before we begin cooking. Most of these are available online or at your neighborhood grocer.
For the Sausages:
• 4–6 Bratwursts (you can substitute with any mild German-style sausage or even hot dogs in a pinch)
• A touch of oil or butter for pan-frying
For the Currywurst Sauce (Curry Ketchup):
• 1 tablespoon oil (sunflower or vegetable oil)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1–2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon mustard (optional, for depth)
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar (adjust to taste)
• 2 teaspoons mild curry powder (plus extra for garnish)
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 pinch of chili powder or cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
• Salt and pepper to taste
Step-by-Step Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Curry Ketchup
The sauce is actually the key to a delicious currywurst. It’s a rich, harmonious tomato sauce with curry flavor that unifies everything, not just curry powder mixed with ketchup.
1. Sauté the aromatics: In a saucepan over medium heat, warm the oil and sauté the chopped onions until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
2. Add the tomato base: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes. This helps develop a deeper flavor.
3. Add remaining ingredients: Add the ketchup, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, sugar, curry powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
4. Simmer and reduce: Let the sauce simmer for about 10–15 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Add more sugar if it’s too tangy, more vinegar if it’s too sweet, or more curry powder if you want more kick.
5. Blend (optional): For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender or a regular blender to puree the sauce until smooth.
6. Set aside: Once the sauce is done, let it rest for a few minutes. It thickens slightly as it cools and the flavors develop even more.
Step 2: Cook the Sausages
Bratwursts are typically pan-fried, grilled, or boiled and then seared. Your setup will determine the approach you take, but here’s a basic pan-fry method:
1. Heat a skillet with a bit of oil or butter over medium heat.
2. Add the bratwursts and cook for about 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally, until they’re golden brown and cooked through.
3. Let the sausages rest for a minute, then slice them into bite-sized pieces (usually on a slight diagonal) for that authentic currywurst look.
Step 3: Assemble the Dish
Now for the fun part — putting it all together.
1. Place the sliced sausage pieces on a plate or in a paper tray (like they do in Germany).
2. Generously spoon the warm curry ketchup over the sausage.
3. Finish by sprinkling some curry powder on top as a garnish.
What to Serve With Currywurst
• French Fries (Pommes): The classic combo. In many German snack bars, you’ll get currywurst mit pommes and a generous squeeze of mayo on top.
• Brötchen (Bread Roll): Perfect for mopping up extra sauce.
• Potato Salad: A heartier option, especially in home-cooked versions.
• Beer: Let’s be honest — it pairs perfectly with a cold pilsner or a wheat beer.
Tips for Authentic Flavor
• Use good-quality sausages. Bratwursts are ideal, but you can experiment with other German sausages like bockwurst or knackwurst. Avoid overly spicy or heavily seasoned ones.
• Customize your sauce. Some like it tangy, others like it sweet and spicy. Try making it a day ahead — it tastes even better after sitting overnight.
• Presentation matters. In Germany, currywurst is often served in a paper tray with a tiny plastic fork. Recreating that street-food vibe at home makes the experience more authentic and fun.
Variations to Try
1. Vegan Currywurst: Use plant-based sausages (many German supermarkets now carry vegan bratwurst) and make the same sauce.
2. Spicy Currywurst: Add extra chili or hot curry powder to give your sauce a kick.
3. Cheesy Currywurst: Some fusion versions include grated cheese melted over the sausage before adding the sauce.
4. Fruit Twist: Add a splash of orange juice or pineapple juice to the sauce for a sweet and fruity variation — surprisingly delicious!
Fun Fact: There’s a Currywurst Museum!
Did you know that there used to be a Currywurst Museum in Berlin that was solely focused on this famous dish? Currywurst is ingrained in German society, as evidenced by the museum’s closure in 2018. Former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder reportedly referred to it as his favorite dinner, and there is even a song about it.
Final Thoughts
Cooking currywurst at home is a tasty and entertaining way to learn about German cooking, and it’s not as hard as it seems. You can recreate the flavor of Berlin’s streets in your kitchen with a few simple materials and procedures.
So light up your skillet, make some spicy-sweet curry ketchup, and start eating one of the most popular dishes in Germany. Currywurst won’t let you down whether you’re throwing an Oktoberfest party, searching for comfort food, or just trying out new international cuisines.
Guten Appetit!