Braunschweiger Spread
One doesn’t come across too many Braunschweiger recipes these days, which is a shame as it a delicious ingredient.
While you can slice it and serve it up plain on crackers, mixing it up with a bit of cream cheese and seasonings makes a lovely, smooth spread with a zippy taste.
Serve with crackers or even better, toast up some Rye bread, add softened button on top and then a thick slathering of Braunschweiger Spread on top. It is incredible.
What is the difference between Braunschweiger and liverwurst?
Both Braunschweiger and liverwurst are German sausages made from pork and/or beef liver.
Braunschweiger is made of beef and/or pork liver with spices, onion and bacon. It has a more chunky texture compared to liverwurst. It can have a smokier or peppery taste. In America and Canada it is common to parboil and smoke Braunschweiger.
Liverwurst is likewise made of liver but with the addition of heart and kidney, spices, onion, bacon, mushroom and some berries. Liverwurst has a more paste like texture and unsurprisingly, usually tastes like liver!
What kind of liver is in Braunschweiger?
Beef and/or pork livers.
Is Braunschweiger healthy for you?
Braunschweiger is a great source for protein, fats, and micronutrients such as iron, vitamin A, retinol, vitamin B12, and selenium. Due to the sodium and fat, you wouldn’t want to eat it every day. There are Lite and low sodium options at some markets.
What brand of Braunschweiger should I use?
The John Morell brand of Braunschweiger is what I grew up eating. If you have a favorite brand that you love, please let me know what it is!
What is the best way to eat Braunschweiger?
There are a variety of ways to enjoy this spread. It is often sliced into rounds and fried in a pan, either plain or with a piece of bacon for more flavor. Alternatively, since it is already smoked and sometimes parboiled, it can be eaten straight from the package. My parent liked to spread it on saltine crackers or spread on a piece of soft white bread.
In the case of this recipe, it can be combined with a bit of cream cheese and spices and served on your favorite cracker. I’ve seen party spreads such as this topped with sliced or chopped green olive with pimento, but I haven’t tried that topping out yet.
Looking for more appetizer spread recipes?
- Chipped Beef Cheese Ball – A classic cheese ball appetizer that is rolled in chopped green onion and chipped beef.
- Zesty Shrimp Cocktail Spread – Shrimp is warmed in a pan with butter and Old Bay seasoning and served as a topping for softened cream cheese and cocktail sauce.
- Summer Sausage and Cheese Spread Delights – Only 3 ingredients and a kid favorite at my house
Braunschweiger Spread
Equipment
- Hand Mixer
Ingredients
- 8 oz. Braunschweiger
- 4 oz. cream cheese softened
- 1/3 cup Miracle Whip or mayo
- dash onion powder
- dash garlic powder
- splash Worcestershire sauce
- Serve on: toasted rye bread with butter or on crackers
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the Braunschweiger, softened cream cheese and miracle whip. Using a hand mixer, beat well until thoroughly combined. Add in seasonings to taste.
- Chill to allow the flavors to develop. Serving on toasted rye bread with butter is recommended, it tasted amazing. Alternatively, serve on crackers or as a sandwich filling.
I haven't had Braunschweiger in years! This sounds like a tasty "retro" type appetizer.
My old recipe had tumeric and brandy 1950's
The recipe is great. I substituted minced onion and added some hot sauce whenever I wanted extra zip (I would make one batch and divide in half so I would have both available)
Thank you for the feedback kb, glad to hear you enjoyed it 😀
Just picked up some Braunschweiger from Aldi. I usually just eat it cold on crackers but always have so much leftover so I wanted to try something different, made a partial batch of this dip, eating it on saltines as I type this, its yummy and SO easy! I know this is not even remotely healthy but its a great treat! Already saved the recipe.
Happy to hear that you enjoyed it Sara!
I add dill relish and roll in chopped pecans
That sounds tasty 🙂
this dip is delicious but i’m the only one who eats it and i make a big batch…..can i freeze some of it?
Hi Linda- I haven’t tried freezing this so I’m not sure. You could try freezing a small portion overnight and then thaw it the next day to check the consistency and if it froze well. It might require a little mixing after thawing?
YUMMY
I love this recipe, I made this a few times last Christmas and each place I made it for wants me to bring it this Christmas and even to Thanksgiving. The onion powder and garlic powder are really to taste. I like both so I put in about 4 large shakes of each. I also use Mirical Whip. Definitely try this recipe.
So glad to hear that it is well received Paul 🙂
adding crispy fried bacon is awsome too, along with dry mustard
I diced a small white onion and added the entire onion to the 8 oz x 2 recipe. Of course, there is no reason for onion powder then. This onion addition gave it a decidedly German taste and add a beer for the best bar food ever. I’ve been eating braunschweiger since I was a kid, but the addition of these ingredients makes me feel like a grownup. I’m only 78.
Dietz & Watson Braunschweiger is the definite go-to brand in the northeast ~Philly).
Braunschweiger Dip is a definite classic, throwback hors d’oeuvres
Just love Braunschweiger any way it is fixed. Will make some from scratch as I can get all of the Livers, Tongues, Hearts and Tallow for free from my local Locker Plant. Using some of your recipes and will let you know how it works out.
Hope you enjoy it Larry!
How long will this keep if I make it ahead of time?
My first visit to your interesting, well organized site.
The recipes seem very apoealing, and delicious with the added suggestions provided.
Look forward to using these, and more!