How to Prepare Currywurst (German Curry Sausage)

Wednesday, July 08, 2026

SAEDNEWS: If you are tired of preparing the same meals repeatedly and would like to explore different international dishes, we recommend trying Currywurst, a popular German dish that offers a unique and flavorful experience.

How to Prepare Currywurst (German Curry Sausage)

According to Saednews, Currywurst is a delicious and popular German street food that is believed to have been invented in Hamburg, Germany, in 1947. This flavorful dish is loved by people of all ages, and its combination of juicy sausage, rich curry ketchup sauce, and crispy fries makes it an irresistible meal.

There are many different recipes for this exciting street food, but below you will find one of the most traditional methods. If you prepare the curry sauce in advance, you can easily make this dish whenever you need a quick lunch or dinner.

Ingredients for Currywurst

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • ½ cup yellow onion, finely chopped

  • 1 small garlic clove, minced

  • 1½ tablespoons curry powder

  • 1 tablespoon sweet paprika

  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves

  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1 cup ketchup

  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste

  • 5 tablespoons vegetable or chicken broth

  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon honey

  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 teaspoon sugar

  • ¼ teaspoon yellow mustard

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • Cayenne pepper, as needed

  • 4 German sausages (Bratwurst)

  • French fries, as needed

  • Extra curry powder for topping

How to Prepare Currywurst Sauce

Step 1: Cook the Base Ingredients

To prepare Currywurst, first make the curry sauce. Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan, then add the onions and cook until they become soft and translucent. Add the garlic and cook briefly.

Be careful not to brown the onions or garlic, as this can change the flavor of the sauce.

Step 2: Add the Spices and Sauce Ingredients

Add the curry powder, paprika, ground cloves, and cinnamon. Stir and cook for about 30 seconds until the spices release their aroma.

Add all the remaining ingredients and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pan, and allow the sauce to simmer for about 15 minutes. Stir occasionally while cooking.

Step 3: Blend the Sauce

Once the sauce has cooled slightly, transfer it to a blender and blend until smooth and well combined. Allow the sauce to cool completely before serving.

Preparing the Sausages

First, cook the sausages briefly in boiling water. After draining the excess water, grill or fry them until they are fully cooked.

An important point when preparing this German dish is that the sausages should be fried well enough to develop a thick, crispy, and golden-brown outer layer. If you fry them in a pan, make sure to use enough oil.

In some Currywurst recipes, small vertical cuts are made on the sausages so they cook more evenly and absorb more flavor.

You can also prepare some French fries by cutting potatoes into strips and frying them to serve alongside the Currywurst.

Serving Currywurst with French Fries

To serve, cut the Currywurst sausages vertically into small bite-sized pieces. Pour the curry ketchup sauce over the sausages and sprinkle with additional curry powder.

Serve with French fries or a sandwich roll. In Germany, Currywurst and fries are often served on a tray with toothpicks for easy eating.

Tips for Making This Popular German Street Food

  • If you are vegetarian, you can replace the traditional sausage with a vegetarian sausage and use vegetable broth instead of meat broth.

  • Curry powder is the key ingredient that gives Currywurst its distinctive flavor. For a richer taste, use around four teaspoons of curry powder in the recipe.

  • If you do not enjoy spicy flavors, you can leave out the cayenne pepper.

  • It is better to prepare the sauce one day in advance and store it in the refrigerator so the flavors can blend together.

  • Two tablespoons of curry ketchup sauce contain approximately 26 calories, 3 grams of carbohydrates, and 1 gram of fat.

  • Curry ketchup sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one month.

Currywurst: A Taste of German Street Food Culture

Currywurst is more than just a simple sausage dish; it is one of Germany’s most iconic street foods. The combination of grilled Bratwurst, spiced curry ketchup, and crispy fries has made it a favorite meal in German cities and a symbol of casual German cuisine. Whether enjoyed from a street food stand or prepared at home, Currywurst offers a delicious taste of Germany’s culinary traditions.