This Popular German Street Food Has an Unforgettable Hot Sauce

Currywurst is the soul of German street food, and everyone seems to have their own idea of the "perfect" sauce. It took me a while to get this recipe just right! There’s no set-in-stone recipe for currywurst, which means you can get creative. When I visited Germany, I noticed most people don’t bother making it at home, there are so many places to grab it fresh and fast. Honestly, if I had a good spot nearby, I’d probably do the same!

Recipe

Currywurst

There's a reason Germans enjoy over 800 million Currywursts every year, it’s just that delicious! This street food has been a favorite since 1949, and once you try it, you’ll understand why.

During my visit to Germany, grabbing a Currywurst from a stand was just part of the daily rhythm. A tasty bratwurst with a tangy, spiced curry ketchup was always within reach, usually served up with a bread roll or a side of crispy fries. But once I got back home, the craving didn't go away, and with no street stands nearby, I knew it was time to bring that flavor to my own kitchen.

Making homemade curry ketchup turned out to be a game-changer. While you can buy German curry ketchup online, there’s nothing like the taste of a freshly made version. With just the right blend of spices, it instantly took me back to Germany and made Currywurst nights feel special again. And if you haven’t tried Currywurst before, this homemade sauce will show you why it’s so beloved.

Now, I can whip up this curry sauce anytime, and it’s just as good as grabbing it from a street stand. So even if Berlin isn’t on your itinerary anytime soon, don’t worry, this simple currywurst recipe brings the taste of Currywurst right to your table. Enjoy!

Jump to:

Currywurst
⭐Why You'll Love This Currywurst Recipe
🧾Currywurst Recipe Ingredients
👩🏻‍🍳How to Make Currywurst
🍽 What to Serve with Currywurst
💭Tips for Recipe Success
❓Commonly Asked Questions
🍛More Dinner Recipes!
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

⭐Why You'll Love This Currywurst Recipe

Quick and Easy Prep: This Currywurst recipe is surprisingly simple to make, even though it tastes gourmet! With just a few easy steps and ingredients you can find at any store, you can whip up a delicious meal in no time.
Customizable to Your Taste: You can easily tweak this recipe to match your preferences. Adjust the heat and sweetness to make it as spicy or mild as you like. It’s a great way to please everyone in the family!
A Taste of Germany at Home: With this Currywurst recipe, you can bring a bit of Germany into your kitchen. It’s a popular street food that brings back memories and offers a fun culinary experience, all from the comfort of home.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual dinner, a party, or game day, Currywurst is always a hit. Its unique flavor and comforting feel make it suitable for any gathering, ensuring everyone leaves happy!

🧾Currywurst Recipe Ingredients

Here’s the breakdown of what’s in this currywurst recipe:

Currywurst Sauce Ingredients:

Olive Oil: I use extra virgin olive oil to add richness and a subtle peppery flavor to the sauce.
Red Onion: Red onion brings sweetness and mild flavor, caramelizing nicely to add depth. White or yellow onion also works well.
Tomato Paste: This thickens the sauce and adds a concentrated tomato flavor with a bit of umami.
Water: Used to adjust the sauce’s consistency.
Ketchup: The main ingredient for that classic currywurst sauce flavor is sweet and tangy.
Honey: Adds natural sweetness, balancing out the sauce and giving it a nice gloss.
Balsamic & White Vinegar: Balsamic adds sweetness and depth, while white vinegar brings a bright, sharp acidity to balance things out.
Soy Sauce: Adds a touch of umami and saltiness, rounding out the flavors.
Hot Chili Sauce: Adds a bit of spice, balancing the sweetness of ketchup and honey.
Curry Powder: The star spice that gives Currywurst its signature warmth and earthy flavor.
Chili Powder: For an extra kick, boosting the spiciness alongside the curry powder.

Sausage Ingredients:

Olive Oil: I like to use extra virgin olive oil in this recipe. It keeps sausages from sticking and adds flavor while helping them brown nicely.
Bratwurst Sausages: Juicy and well-seasoned, Bratwurst brings the classic heartiness and flavor for a true Currywurst experience.

See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

👩🏻‍🍳How to Make Currywurst

These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped red onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the onion becomes soft and translucent.

2. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Add water and stir.

3. Add the ketchup, honey, and balsamic vinegar, and stir well.

4. Turn the heat to low and simmer the sauce for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens a bit.

5. Add white vinegar, stir, and cook for 1 minute. Add soy sauce, hot chili sauce, curry powder, and chili powder. Mix well and cook for 2 minutes.

6. Pour the sauce into a jug, and blend until smooth with a hand blender.

7. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a grill pan over medium-high heat. Add bratwursts and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning until browned and fully cooked.

8. Remove sausages from the pan and cut into bite-sized pieces. Arrange on a plate, pour warm currywurst sauce over, and sprinkle with extra curry powder.

🍽 What to Serve with Currywurst

Currywurst is a delicious and hearty dish that pairs well with a variety of sides and accompaniments.

I enjoy serving it with crispy fries, ciabatta slices, or garlic bread, to soak up any leftover sauce.

I also like to have a creamy potato salad as a side dish to add a refreshing and tangy contrast to the rich flavors of the Currywurst.

For drinks, I like to serve a cold lager or wheat beer for a traditional German experience.

💭Tips for Recipe Success

Choose Good Bratwurst: The sausage is the star of Currywurst, so go for high-quality bratwurst or knockwurst. German sausages have just the right seasoning and texture to match the sauce. If you like a juicier bite, look for a coarser grind.

Balance the Sauce: Aim for a blend of sweet, tangy, and spicy. Taste as you go, adding a bit more honey, vinegar, or chili sauce to get it just right.

Simmer for Flavor: Let the sauce simmer for 8-10 minutes so the flavors come together and deepen. If you have a little more time, simmering longer on low heat will add even more richness.

Blend Smooth: A smooth sauce clings to the sausages perfectly. Use a hand blender, or let the sauce cool slightly and blend in a regular blender for a nice, even finish. Add a splash of water if it needs a little thinning.

Grill the Sausages: Grill the sausages until golden brown with some charred edges for that authentic street-food taste.

Adjust the Spice Level: Traditionally, Currywurst has a mild heat, but feel free to add more chili sauce or powder if you like it spicier, or keep it mild if that’s more your style.

Make the Sauce Ahead (Optional): If you can, make the sauce a few hours or even a day ahead to let the flavors develop. Just reheat gently before serving for the best taste.

Storage: Refrigerate leftover currywurst sauce in an airtight container.

❓Commonly Asked Questions

What is a currywurst?

Currywurst is a popular German street food consisting of sliced bratwurst sausages smothered in a tangy curry-flavored ketchup sauce, often served with fries or bread.