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 type of meat 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 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".

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.

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 Germany's official dish? ›

Sauerbraten is regarded as one Germany's national dishes and there are several regional variations in Franconia, Thuringia, Rhineland, Saarland, Silesia and Swabia.

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.

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 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.

Can you marinate sauerbraten too long? ›

Making sauerbraten authentically requires the meat to be marinated for anywhere from 2 to 10 days in a mixture of red wine, vinegar, and spices. Afterward, the meat is both tenderized and deeply flavored. Traditionally, the cut of meat used for sauerbraten, like rump roast, are tougher than other choice cuts of meat.

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.

What cut of beef is sauerbraten made from? ›

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. However, a pork roast, venison, or lamb are sometimes used for this marinated german-style pot roast.

Is German sauerkraut good for you? ›

Summary. Sauerkraut is a versatile food full of essential nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Live sauerkraut can also contain probiotic bacteria, which are good for your gut. Some nutrients in sauerkraut may contribute to improved heart health, bone health, immune function, and inflammation.

What does sauerbraten taste like? ›

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. Sauerbraten with potato dumplings and red cabbage.

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.

What kind of meat is a rump roast? ›

A rump roast is a cut of beef from the top of the back end of a cow, as far back as you can go before reaching the tail. The entire rump and top of the back leg is called the round, but only the top is rump.

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 kind of meat is roast? ›

Roasts are cut from the steer's chuck, or shoulder; the rib and loin areas; the round, or butt and back leg, and the brisket, or chest. Generally, fattier roasts come from the animal's forequarter, or front end, Gathy said.

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