Rote Grütze is the German dessert made from red berries thickened with starch and served chilled.
The name literally means “red groats” or “red porridge.” Traditional versions use berries such as redcurrants, raspberries, strawberries, cherries, or blackcurrants. Potato starch or cornstarch gives the dessert its characteristic spoonable consistency.
Rote Grütze is especially associated with northern Germany and is closely related to Danish rødgrød and Norwegian rødgrøt. It is commonly served with liquid cream, whipped cream, milk, custard, or vanilla sauce.
Recipes vary considerably, so the berry mixture is not fixed. Its defining features are the red fruit base, starch-thickened texture, and chilled presentation—not one particular berry.