German Sauerbraten

Total Time

Prep: 10 min. + marinating Cook: 3 hours

Makes

14 servings

Updated: Jul. 20, 2023
Our family loves it when Mom prepares this wonderful old-world dish. The tender beef has a bold blend of mouthwatering seasonings. It smells so good in the oven and tastes even better—Cathy Eland, Highttown, New Jersey
German Sauerbraten Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 beef top round roast (4 pounds)
  • 2-1/2 cups water
  • 2 cups cider vinegar
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 2 medium onions, sliced, divided
  • 2 tablespoons mixed pickling spices, divided
  • 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns, divided
  • 8 whole cloves, divided
  • 2 bay leaves, divided
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 14 to 16 gingersnaps, crushed

Directions

  1. In a small bowl, combine salt and ginger; rub over roast. Place in a deep glass bowl. In a large bowl, combine the water, vinegar and sugar. Pour half the marinade into a large saucepan; add half the onions, pickling spices, peppercorns, cloves and bay leaves. Bring to a boil. Pour over roast; turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 2 days, turning twice a day.
  2. To the remaining marinade, add the remaining onions, pickling spices, peppercorns, cloves and bay leaves. Cover and refrigerate.
  3. Drain roast, discarding marinade; pat roast dry. In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown roast in oil on all sides. Pour 1 cup reserved marinade with all the onions and seasonings over roast (cover and refrigerate remaining marinade). Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 3 hours or until meat is tender.
  4. Strain cooking juices, discarding onions and seasonings. Add enough reserved marinade to the cooking juices to measure 3 cups. Pour into a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Add gingersnaps; reduce heat and simmer until gravy is thickened. Slice roast and serve with gravy.

Nutrition Facts

4 ounces cooked beef with gravy: 233 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 72mg cholesterol, 410mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 30g protein.