Cooking Austrian food in the UK is absolutely possible — with a few smart substitutions and a couple of insider tips! This page is your go-to guide for finding authentic ingredients (or the next best thing) in UK supermarkets, specialty stores, and online.
For specific subsitutes don’t be afraid to check the recipes!
🛒 Supermarket Staples
You’d be surprised how many Austrian ingredients already live on UK shelves — they just go by different names! Here are a few swaps and finds you can pick up at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Lidl, or Waitrose:
| Austrian Ingredient | UK-Friendly Option / Tip |
|---|---|
| Topfen (Quark) | Look for “Quark” (plain) in the dairy section — available in most supermarkets. |
| Sauerrahm (Sour Cream) | Use regular full-fat sour cream or crème fraîche as a close match. |
| Schlagobers (Whipping Cream) | Double cream or whipping cream in the UK works beautifully. |
| Vanillezucker (Vanilla Sugar) | Use a mix of caster sugar + vanilla extract or buy Dr. Oetker’s Vanilla Sugar. |
| Wiener Würstel | Substitute with smoked frankfurters or German-style sausages from Lidl/Aldi. |
| Semmel (Austrian white rolls) | Use crusty white rolls or bake your own using strong white flour. |
| Marillen (Apricots) | Fresh in season (June–August) or canned/dried — works well for jam or dumplings. |
🧁 Baking Supplies & Specialties
For cakes, cookies, and festive bakes, these can come in handy:
- Potato Starch: Often found in the “Free From” section or online — used in many traditional sponge cakes.
- Ground Poppy Seeds: Available at Polish/Slavic delis or online (don’t confuse with whole seeds!).
- Vanilla Sugar: Dr. Oetker’s packets are in many UK supermarkets or on Amazon.
- Pearl Sugar: Can be substituted with crushed sugar cubes if needed.
- German or Austrian Yeast: UK active dry yeast works fine in most cases.
🧺 Where to Shop for Authentic Products
Here are some reliable places to shop for Central European ingredients:
✅ In-Store (UK-wide or regional):
- Lidl & Aldi – often stock seasonal Austrian or German products during promotions (e.g. “Alpine Week”).
- Polish/Slovak/Czech delis – great for sausages, pickles, mustard, and poppy seeds.
- Continental Stores – look for shops labeled as “European Food Stores” in your area.
🌐 Online Shops:
- German Deli (UK)
- The Sausage Man
- AustrianSupermarket.com – ships from Austria (check delivery fees).
- Austrianfood.co.uk
- Sous Chef – gourmet ingredients, some Eastern European options.
- Amazon UK – good for pantry staples like vanilla sugar or spaetzle makers.
🔄 Substitution Tips
Not everything needs to be exact — Austrian home cooking is flexible! A few rules of thumb:
- Use what’s fresh and available — the soul of Austrian food is seasonal and simple.
- Texture > name — If you can’t find Topfen, focus on the texture: something soft, tangy, and spreadable.
- Get creative with flours and grains — Wholemeal or rye flour can work beautifully for hearty breads and dumplings.
💡 Want More Help?
If you’re ever stuck finding something, feel free to get in touch — I’m always happy to offer a substitution tip or updated source!