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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Tags: Food, German Sauerbraten Recipe, recipe

German Sauerbraten Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What cut of meat is sauerbraten made of? ›

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.

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 is Germany's national dish? ›

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.

Was sauerbraten originally made from mutton horsemeat mature meat pigs? ›

It is actually fairly substantiated that sauerbraten used to be made with horse meat. There are even still some places where you can get it made with horse meat today, but we'll just stick with beef for now!

What type of meat is most common in Germany? ›

The average annual meat consumption is 59.7 kg (132 lb) per person. The most common varieties are pork, poultry, and beef. Other varieties of meat are widely available, but are considered to be insignificant. Meat is usually braised; fried dishes also exist, but these recipes usually originate from France and Austria.

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.

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.

Does vinegar tenderize roast? ›

Acidic ingredients like vinegar, lemon juice, yogurt and wine weaken collagen and protein in meat. Once the proteins are broken by acid, one loose protein can bond with another and trap liquid in the meat, making it juicy and tender. Yay!

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 do German eat for Christmas? ›

Treat guests to a traditional German Christmas dinner with classic dishes like roasted goose legs, braised red cabbage. and dumplings, and don't forget the mulled wine and platter of gorgeous, festive cookies.

What is the old name for horse meat? ›

Horse meat is sometimes called equine, cheval, or Caballo.

What is piglet meat called? ›

• Pig – Meat from a pig is called pork. The meat of a very young pig, specifically a piglet that is fed on its mother's milk, is referred to as meat from a suckling pig. • Sheep – Meat from a mature sheep is called mutton, while meat from a young sheep or lamb is also called lamb.

What is meat from a mature goat called? ›

Meat from goat is actually called chevon. However, don't beat yourself up over being mistaken about the jargon of meat, as things work a little differently in India. Here, the word mutton is used interchangeably between sheep and goat, but since Indians mostly consume goat, it is the widely accepted term for goat meat.

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 of meat is a chuck roast? ›

Chuck Meat

The beef chuck cut comes from the animal's upper shoulder and lower neck. Steaks and roasts come from this area. Because the shape of the shoulder bone looks like a seven, chuck steaks are known as 7-bone steaks. Chuck roasts are somewhat fattier than cuts from other parts of the body.

What is a tender roast cut? ›

Tenderloin. The most tender roast of all—it's under the spine— with almost no fat or flavor.

What is rump roast vs chuck roast? ›

Rump roast, not to confuse with bottom round, comes from the hindquarters. Chuck roast comes from a cow's shoulder portion. The hindquarters and shoulder area are both well-used parts of the cow, so these two cuts of meat are naturally pretty tough. Most people agree that roasted rump is the more tender of the two.

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