Brotzeit (Bread Time) / Abendbrot (Evening Bread): The Classic German Spread

Brotzeit—also called Abendbrot—is a beloved German meal built around open-faced sandwiches: a generous lineup of breads, cold meat cuts and cheeses, pickled vegetables, salad and fresh-cut vegetables, plus condiments, and a simple drink such as beer, Weinschorle (wine spritzer), or mineral water. Think of it as a relaxed German “board”: abundant, customizable, and easy to pull together any night of the week.

A meal that fits the German motto

The tradition echoes the saying: “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper.” Brotzeit/Abendbrot keeps dinner nutritious and unfussy: the key proteins are a choice of cold meat cuts and cheeses, set on crusty German loaves, hearty whole-grain breads, or soft pretzels. Flavor lifts come from tart pickles, freshly cut vegetables (carrots, peppers, radishes, cucumbers), good culinary oils, fresh butter, and a lineup of German mustards in sweet, medium, or hot styles.

Use-it-up friendly

Many families fold in leftovers: slices of roast, a bowl of soups, or classics like Frikadellen (cold hamburger patties) dipped in hot mustard. Warm cheese spätzle on the side is another cozy, common twist.

When to serve it

• Brotzeit is a term often used in Bavaria for lunch.

• Abendbrot is used throughout Germany for a bread-based evening dinner.
  Either way, the spirit is the same: leisurely, sharable, and satisfying without fuss.

What to put on the table (mix & match)

All the items listed below are popular ingredients for Brotzeit and can be purchased in our store. Simply click the link of any product that will take you to the respective page.

German-style Cold Cuts

1. Fleischwurst (German-style Bologna):
2. Gelbwurst (Bavarian-style light-colored pork/veal sausage with yellow-orange casing)
3. Gelbwurst mit Petersilie (Gelbwurst with Parsley)
4. Bierwurst (German Bologna with ham)
5. Austrian (Tyrolian) Jagdwurst
6. Jägerwurst (Fine and coarsely ground pork with beef and peas)
7. Landjäger Dry Cured Salami
8. Blutwurst (Blood Sausage)
9. Sülze (Head Cheese)
10. Leberwurst, fein (Bavarian-style Liverwurst, finely ground)
11. Leberwurst, grob (Berlin-style Liverwurst, coarsely ground)
12. Leberkäse (Kalb) (Bavarian-style pork and veal loaf)
13. Leberkäse (Rind) (Bavarian-style pork and beef loaf)
14. Teewurst (Teawurst, a fine meat pate)
15. Oldenburger Streichwurst (pork liver pate,coarsely ground, Oldenburg-style)
16. Gänseleberpastete (goose liver pate, made from pork and goose)
17. Schweinsleberpastete (pork liver pate, gold medal winner in international competition)
18. Kalbsleberpastete (calves liver pate, made from pork and veal)
19. Black Forest Schinken (smoked, spiced prosciutto-style ham)
20. Nussschinken (Westphalian-style lean, cured pork ham)
21. Bündnerfleisch (Swiss-style lean, cured and pressed beef top ham)

Cheeses:

1. Handkäse
2. Limburger
3. Cambozola
4. Bavarian Brie
5. Bavarian Camembert

Breads:

   Whole Grain

1. German Pumpernickel
2. Westphalian Pumpernickel
3. Whole Rye
4. Fitness Bread
5. Three Grain (rye, oat, wheat)
6. Sunflower Seed
7. Müsli
8. Vegan
9. Protein
10. Walnut Protein
11. Carrot Protein
12. Almond Protein
13. Rye & Spelt
14. Flax Seed
15. Flax Seed & Chia
16. Amaranth & Quinoa

   Pretzels

1. Pretzel, regular 4 oz
2. Pretzel, large 10 oz
3. Pretzel Sandwich Bun
4. Pretzel Sausage Bun
5. Pretzel Hamburger Bun

   Crisp breads

1. Knäckebrot (Nordic Crisp Breads)
2. Zwieback

Pickled Vegetables

1. Crunchy Gherkins
2. Mini Gherkins
3. Barrel Pickles
4. Spreewald Pickles
5. Dill Pickles
6. Hungarian-style Pickles
7. Polish-style Pickles
8. Mustard Pickles
9. Gin Pickles
10. Whiskey Pickles
11. Cornichons
12. Red Beets
13. Cut Carrots
14. Cut Celery

Condiments

1. Extra-Hot Düsseldorf Mustard
2. Medium Hot German Mustard
3. Sweet Bavarian Mustard
4. Sauce Remoulade
5. German Mayonnaise