Traditional Sauerbraten (2024)

This traditional Sauerbraten recipe, complete with a sweet-savory gravy, has a melt-in-your-mouth texture and irresistible flavor.

What Is Sauerbraten?

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.

Sauerbraten Ingredients

These are the ingredients you’ll need to make this Sauerbraten recipe at home:

  • Beef: Start with a 3-pound beef rump roast.
  • Onions: Two chopped onions lend bold flavor.
  • Red wine vinegar: Red wine vinegar adds tang and helps tenderize the meat.
  • Water: You’ll need a cup of water for the marinade.
  • Seasonings: Season the marinade with salt, black pepper, whole cloves, and bay leaves.
  • Flour: All-purpose flour ensures perfectly browned meat.
  • Sugar: A tablespoon of white sugar lends subtle sweetness.
  • Oil: Vegetable oil adds moisture and creates a tender cut of meat.
  • Gingersnaps: Crumbled gingersnap cookies are essential for the sweet-savory gravy.

How to Make Sauerbraten

You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below – but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make homemade Sauerbraten with gingersnap gravy:

  1. Marinate the meat in the refrigerator for up to three days.
  2. Sprinkle seasoned flour over the rump roast.
  3. Brown the meat on all sides in oil.
  4. Cook the beef in the reserved marinade, covered, over medium-low.
  5. Simmer until the beef is tender.
  6. Make the gravy and serve it over the sliced beef.

What to Serve With Sauerbraten

Serve the Sauerbraten with potato dumplings or spaetzle. For more delicious inspiration, explore our collection of German Recipes.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“My grandma used to make Sauerbraten every year for Thanksgiving,” says syreeninsapphire. “I wanted to recapture that flavor, and this did it perfectly! Tastes exactly like my childhood.”

“The most flavorful beef roast I have ever done,” raves Leah Pogemiller. “I followed the recipe exactly. I would not change a thing. The length of preparation was worth the results. Although I set the table with table knives, they were unnecessary — fork tender!”

“This was my first attempt at making Sauerbraten and it turned out delicious,” according to Karena. “The flavor was mouthwatering and the gingersnaps made all the difference with the flavor.”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Traditional Sauerbraten (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 does sauerbraten mean in German? ›

The name "Sauerbraten" is of German origin, and is derived from Sauer meaning "sour" or "pickled" and Braten meaning "roast meat", thus "sour roast".

What's the best way to cook a bottom round? ›

In the Oven

Sear the roast for 2-3 minutes, and use tongs to turn the roast to continue searing until all sides are golden brown. Transfer the roast to a roasting pan, cover with aluminum foil, and place it on the middle oven rack. Roast for 20-30 minutes per pound, usually about 2 hours for a 4-pound roast.

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 cooking method that creates the famous German sauerbraten frying poaching roasting braising? ›

This authentic German Sauerbraten recipe makes the most tender and juicy roast beef and a wonderful sweet and sour gravy. Beef is richly marinated for a few days in a mixture of red wine, vinegar, and a mix of flavorful herbs and warm spices. Then, the meat is braised until succulent and tender—it's so irresistible!

Will my roast get more tender the longer I cook it? ›

Yes, pot roast absolutely becomes more tender the longer it cooks. Roasts are generally made from tougher cuts of meat, such as chuck or brisket, which contain a lot of collagen, connective tissue, and fat. These tougher tissues require a long cooking time to break down and for the collagen to converts into gelatin.

Why is my roast still tough after 8 hours? ›

There are several reasons why this could have happened even after so much cooking. First, your choice of a rump roast could be a factor since cuts from the hind quarter are very muscular and, since muscles are the most resistant to breaking, this cut is quite stubborn when it comes to becoming tender.

Can you reheat sauerbraten? ›

How Do You Reheat Sauerbraten? The braised beef can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop with the leftover gravy to keep it moist and tender.

What wine to serve 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.

What is a Ritter in Germany? ›

Ritter (German for "knight") is a designation used as a title of nobility in German-speaking areas. Traditionally it denotes the second-lowest rank within the nobility, standing above "Edler" and below "Freiherr" (Baron).

What is the most popular food in Germany? ›

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.

Is it better to cook a roast at 325 or 350? ›

When roasting meat and poultry, set the oven temperature to 325°F (163°C) or higher. Explore the charts below to learn how to get great results every time you cook.

How do you tenderize beef bottom round? ›

There are numerous ways to tenderize your round steak. You can pound it, slice it against the grain to break down the muscle fiber, marinate it, and cook it slowly on low heat.

Which roast is more tender bottom round or top round? ›

Top round and bottom round cuts come from the back end of the cow. The top round is very lean but tends to be more tender than the bottom round, and is often cut into steaks (which are sometimes labeled "London broil"). The bottom round, which is divided into a bottom round roast and a rump roast, is a bit tougher.

What cut is German roast beef? ›

The roast beef is part of the beef hind quarter. Its distinctly high, soft fat lid protects the meaty meat when roasting. Since, unlike entrecôte, it only consists of a single muscle strand, it is easy to cook.

What is rump roast cut called? ›

What we call a rump roast is known by other names, including: Bottom Round Roast. Round Tip Roast. Bottom Round Oven Roast.

What cut of meat is roast beef made from? ›

There's no single cut of beef that is necessary to make roast beef; some common cuts include top-round roast, top sirloin roast, bottom-round roast, and eye of round roast. We usually use a top-round roast, but a bottom-round roast would work too. If you're unsure, ask your butcher!

What kind of meat is chuck tender roast? ›

The chuck tender is from the beef chuck primal, consisting of the supraspinatus muscle, which is situated forward of the large chuck subprimal known as the shoulder clod.

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