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Easy Sauerbraten

This easy sauerbraten recipe is a tasty example of traditional German fare. Its definitive pickled tang is pleasing and sure to delight German food lovers. —Patricia Rutherford, Winchester, Illinois

Ingredients

4 cups water
2 cups red wine vinegar
12 whole cloves
2 bay leaves
3 teaspoons salt
3 teaspoons brown sugar
1 boneless beef chuck roast or rump roast (4 pounds)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 large onion, cut into wedges
5 medium carrots, cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces
2 celery ribs, cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the water, vinegar, cloves, bay leaves, salt and brown sugar. Remove 2 cups to a small bowl; cover and refrigerate. Pour remaining marinade into a 2-gal. resealable plastic bag. Add roast; seal bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate for 1-2 days, turning twice each day.
Discard marinade and spices. Pat roast dry; dredge in flour. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown roast in oil on all sides. Transfer to a small roasting pan. Add the onion, carrots, celery and reserved marinade.
Cover and bake at 325° for 3 to 3-1/2 hours or until meat is tender. With a slotted spoon, remove meat and vegetables to a serving platter. Strain cooking juices; thicken if desired.

Easy Sauerbraten Tips

What does sauerbraten mean?

In English, sauerbraten translates to "sour roast" or "pickled roast," referring to the vinegar-based marinade that tenderizes the meat.

What is the best cut of meat for sauerbraten?

Round, chuck or rump roasts are the best cuts of meat for sauerbraten. This easy sauerbraten recipe’s long marinade and cook time will tenderize even the toughest cuts of meat.

What is traditionally served with sauerbraten?

Potato dumplings, red cabbage and applesauce are popular German accompaniments when serving sauerbraten. You can also serve it with potato pancakes, followed by a German apple cake.

Can you make sauerbraten in a slow cooker?

Yes! Turn this dish into a hands-off weekday meal with this Slow-Cooker Sauerbraten recipe.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving: 365 calories, 20g fat (7g saturated fat), 118mg cholesterol, 368mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 36g protein.

Reviews

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Average Rating:

s_pants
Oct 20, 2017
My husband and I loved it! I only cooked a 2 pound roast and it got done in about an hour and a half (probably sooner), but the full amount of the veggies. Took the roast out of the oven and let the vegetables cook while I finished the rest of the meal. The gravy made it so good!
Trishleej54
Apr 30, 2013
No comment left
blardo
Feb 18, 2013
No comment left
lgibbs101
Oct 19, 2011
Almost as good as my great omas recipe. Very very good!
san70
Mar 16, 2010
I LOVED THIS RECIPE THIS WAS MY FIRST TIME MAKING SAUERBRATEN AFTER YEARS OF LOOKING FOR A GOOD REGIPE THIS WAS SO EASY AND I HAD PLENTY OF GRAVY .IT HAS BEEN A MONTH AND TODAY I AM MAKING IT AGAIN YUM! SAN70
PucciBaby
Nov 8, 2009
The meat was so flavorful. But the meat left no sauce! I couldn't make a sauce with it no matter how hard I tried to do it. But For sure will make again
UWmom
Nov 1, 2009
I made the whole meal- sauerbraten, red cabbage, and spaetzle, all from Patricia Rutherford. I know that as a kid, I ate my grandmother's sauerbraten, but I can't remember the flavor, so I didn't have anything to compare this to. But I was thrilled with these recipes! The meat was delicately flavored. The red cabbage had a slight tang to it, and the spaetzle, even though the dough was really sticky when I put it through my potato ricer, turned out great! Definitely keepers!
NoviceChef
Oct 1, 2009
No comment left
catswoman
Sep 3, 2009
This was so good with the author's recipe for spatzle. I was so upset when I lost my copy of TOH in our move back to the states and just so thrilled to finally have found it again online. We are having this for Sunday dinner this week!
maudine727
Nov 9, 2008
No comment left