German Sauerbraten Recipe (2024)

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German Sauerbraten Recipe

March 30, 2020/Food/

German Sauerbraten Recipe

German Sauerbraten Recipe (1)

I have family back in Germany and when we used to visit a long time ago, my great Aunt used to make this recipe on a sunday, I guess it’s there version of a sunday roast. I have only personally made this recipe 3 times in my lifetime.

I make it for our family gatherings we have every 5 years, each time the meal is a huge success. I am happy that my aunt passed down this recipe to us and I can share it to you!

I am sure you are wondering what “Sauerbraten” is. I for the longest time had no idea either. I still can’t tell you so I went to Wikipedia.

HERE IS WHAT WIKIPEDIA SAYS ABOUT SAUERBRATEN:

Sauerbraten(German: “sour roast” fromsauerfor “sour” or “pickled” andBratenfor “roast meat”) is aGermanpot roastthat can be prepared with a variety of meats—most oftenbeef, but also fromvenison,lamb,mutton,pork, and traditionally,horse. Before cooking, the cut of meat ismarinatedfor several days (recipes vary from three to ten days) in a mixture of vinegar or wine, water, herbs, spices, and seasonings. Since usually tougher cuts of meat (like rump roast, or bottom round of beef) are used for Sauerbraten, the longer marinating of the meat acts to tenderize it, resulting in a finished dish that is tender, soft, and juicy. The ingredients of the marinade vary based on regional styles and traditions throughout Germany.

This recipe isn’t for the faint of heart. It takes 3 days to prepare and a good afternoon or morning in the kitchen. BUT the meal is so worth the time and effort to make! If you make this recipe I would love for you to let me know how you think it tasted.

Instagram user txfamilyof7 says it is sweet but fun to make!

TOP QUESTIONS I GET ASKED ABOUT THIS RECIPE:

German Sauerbraten Recipe (2)

WHY DO YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE IF IT TAKES 3 DAYS TO PREPARE?

Great question. I grew up eating this dish. I know how good it is. If you do not have German family you may not have ever tried anything quite like this. It takes 3 days to marinate and ferment. Well worth the wait time.

CAN I USE BROWN GRAVY WITH THE MEAL?

Yes. Use whatever gravy you like best. I would reccomend using the sauce in the recipe though. It is so good!

CAN I USE OTHER MEATS OTHER THAN BEEF?

You sure can. Venison,lamb,mutton,pork, and traditionally,horse. :/ I have never tried horse btw!

Printable Recipe

Print Recipe

German Sauerbraten Recipe

German Sauerbraten Recipe

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: German

Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup red wine
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 carrot chopped
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 6 whole cloves
  • 12 juniper berries
  • 1 tsp mustard seed
  • 3-4 lbs bottom round beef roast
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 18 gingersnap cookies crushed

Instructions

  • In a large saucepan combine water, vinegar, wine, onion, carrot, salt, pepper, bay leaves, cloves, juniper berries and mustard seeds. Boil. Simmer for 10 minutes then cool completely.

  • Place meat in a large zip bag or non reactive bowl (glass or ceramic).

  • Pour the marinade into the bag, remove all of the air, seal it, place it in the fridge and turn twice a day for three days.

  • Heat oven to 325 degrees. Pour marinade, spices and all, into a Dutch oven. Stir in sugar then add the meat.

  • Cover and cook 4 hours.

  • Remove meat from the dish and place on cutting board to cool.

  • Strain marinade. Discard solids. Return marinade to the pot over medium heat. Stir in ginger snaps. After 3 minutes use an immersion blended to smooth out the sauce. You could use a blender but blending hot liquids can be tricky as they like to bubble up and could burn you.

  • Slice beef into 1/4” slices.

  • Serve with the sauce over potatoes or egg noodles.

Notes

This recipe takes 3 days to prepare!

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German Sauerbraten Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What cut of beef is sauerbraten made from? ›

Sauerbraten is a German roast of marinated meat, traditionally beef. Since it's generally made with tougher cuts (usually the rump roast), the meat is marinated for days at a time. The roast is sliced and served with a gravy. In some recipes, the gravy is made with gingersnaps.

What is the national dish of Germany? ›

Sauerbraten (pronounced [ˈzaʊ̯ɐˌbʁaːtn̩]) is a traditional German roast of heavily marinated meat. It is regarded as a national dish of Germany, and is frequently served in German-style restaurants internationally.

What should the internal temperature of sauerbraten be? ›

Roast in 325°F oven 1-1/4 to 1-3/4 hour). Remove roast when meat thermometer registers 135°F for medium rare; 150°F for medium.

What is the taste of sauerbraten? ›

Sauerbraten is translated to Sour Roast and is a German pot roast with a slightly sour taste for the meat and also for the gravy. To counter the sourness of the ingredients like wine and vinegar, some sweet ingredients are added.

Why is my sauerbraten tough? ›

If it has turned out a little too tough (possibly the temperature was too high or it cooked too long), slice the meat perpendicular to its natural separations. It won't look as pretty on the plate, but will immensely help the tenderness.

What kind of onion is good for roast beef? ›

Though you can use white onions, sweet onions, or red onions, we recommend using yellow ones because of their unique flavor profile. Yellow onions are a widely used onion type in the US and is great with meat dishes such as pot roast, roasted chicken, lamb rack, stew, and more.

What is the number 1 food in Germany? ›

Sauerbraten. Germans love their meat dishes, and Sauerbraten (meaning 'sour' or 'pickled' roast) is one of the country's national dishes. You can make a pot roast by using many different types of meat, which you marinate in wine, vinegar, spices, herbs, and then season for up to ten days.

What are the top 3 foods in Germany? ›

These are considered to be national dishes. Of all these regional and national dishes, Germany is most famous for Currywurst, sausages, pretzels and Black Forest Gateau, but as you can see, there is plenty more to German cuisine than just these.

What do Germans eat in a day? ›

This is because German families tend to eat their main meal during lunch. A typical Abendessen consists of a selection of whole-grain bread, cheeses, deli meats and sausages, and mustards and pickles (gherkins are very popular). The evening meal is accompanied by a salad and/or soup, depending on the season.

Can you overcook sauerbraten? ›

Do not overcook, as you want it to slice in firm, but tender, slabs. Remove meat from the pot and set aside. Put two baskets of pearl onions with skins into boiling water for five minutes. You can do this at any time.

What is the history of sauerbraten? ›

The origins of Sauerbraten date back over 2000 years to the time of the Romans. Meat was preserved in red wine to be transported to the many Roman settlements and cities.

How do you reheat sauerbraten? ›

Keep any leftover sauerbraten in an airtight container in the fridge. It'll last up to 4 days. Reheat it on the stovetop or microwave. For best results, reheat the meat with gravy.

What is German sauerbraten made of? ›

Usually beef, such as a boneless beef chuck roast, a rump roast, or a top round roast is used for sauerbraten. Originally, horse meat was used, but that isn't common now-a days.

What German wine goes with sauerbraten? ›

Wine Pairing: With Sauerbraten, opt for a Riesling from Germany to complement the sweet and sour notes. For roast goose, a medium to full-bodied red wine such as Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) or a rich Riesling can be an excellent choice.

Is sauerbraten good for you? ›

Nutritional highlights

This meal has a heavy ingredient list which means it is packed with protein, carbohydrates and micronutrients. Two vegetables that deliver a vast number of vitamins and minerals are carrots and celery.

What is the most tender roast beef cut? ›

The Chateaubriand beef tenderloin roast is considered to be the most tender cut of beef for a roast. This cut of beef comes from the loin area of the cow, which is right below the backbone, behind the rib section and in front of the sirloin section.

What kind of beef roast shreds? ›

Chuck roast is arguably the best cut to use for pulled beef. Similar to the front shoulder of pork (or the pork “butt”) chuck roasts, being from the front shoulder of the steer, are chock full of fat, collagen, and marbling.

Which is better rump or round roast? ›

Fat is a key part of a meat's flavor and tenderness; the more, the better. So, while both these cuts are classified as extra lean, the rump's relatively higher fat levels make for a slightly better-tasting cut.

What cut is traditional roast beef? ›

The most popular cuts for a roast are:

Rump Roast. Topside. Whole Sirloin or Striploin. Bolar Blade Roast.

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