Authentic sauerbraten

0 min
hard
13 ingredients

Authentic sauerbraten

Sauerbraten is a traditional German dish that has earned a special place in European cuisine due to its distinctive flavor and elaborate preparation. Its name literally means "sour roast," referring to the acidic marinade used to tenderize the meat. Although its exact origin is difficult to pinpoint, it is believed to come from the Rhineland region of Germany, where it was prepared as a way to preserve meat and utilize local ingredients. In several Latin American countries, this dish is mainly known as "marinated roast" or simply "German roast," and although it is not as common as in Germany, its fame has grown thanks to the influence of German communities in countries such as Argentina, Chile, and Mexico.

Sauerbraten is characterized by a prolonged marinade in vinegar and spices, which gives it a deep, acidic flavor that is complemented by a creamy and slightly sweet sauce that usually accompanies the meat. This dish is ideal for celebrations and family gatherings, as its process requires time and dedication, but the result is a delicacy full of culinary traditions that fuse history and flavor.

How to prepare authentic Sauerbraten

Place the beef roast in a deep ceramic or glass bowl.

Add onions, peppercorns, cloves, and a bay leaf.

Pour white vinegar and cider vinegar over the meat.

Refrigerate, covered, for 4 days.

Turn the meat twice a day.

Remove the meat from the marinade, dry it well with paper towels, and strain the marinade into a bowl.

Reserve the onions and 1 cup of marinade.

In a Dutch oven, brown the meat on all sides in hot vegetable oil.

Sprinkle salt over the meat.

Pour boiling water around the meat.

Add crushed ginger snaps and cook covered for one and a half hours.

Turn frequently.

Add 1 cup of the reserved marinade and cook the meat for 2 hours or more, until tender.

Remove the meat and keep it warm.

Strain the cooking juices into a large saucepan.

In a small bowl, mix sour cream with flour.

Incorporate it into the cooking juices and cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth.

Cut the meat into 1/4-inch slices.

Add to the hot sauce.

Place the meat on a warm platter and pour extra sauce over it.

Authentic sauerbraten

Ingredients (13)

  • Beef Round Roast
  • Onions
  • Peppercorns
  • Cloves
  • Bay Leaf
  • White Vinegar
  • Water
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Salt
  • Ginger Snaps
  • Sour Cream
  • Unbleached Flour

Instructions (20 steps)

  1. 1 Place the beef roast in a deep ceramic or glass bowl
  2. 2 Add onions, peppercorns, cloves, and a bay leaf
  3. 3 Pour white vinegar and cider vinegar over the meat
  4. 4 Refrigerate, covered, for 4 days
  5. 5 Turn the meat twice a day
  6. 6 Remove the meat from the marinade, dry it well with paper towels, and strain the marinade into a bowl
  7. 7 Reserve the onions and 1 cup of marinade
  8. 8 In a cast-iron pot, brown the meat on all sides in hot vegetable oil
  9. 9 Sprinkle salt over the meat
  10. 10 Pour boiling water around the meat
  11. 11 Add crushed ginger snaps and cook covered for 1 and a half hours
  12. 12 Turn frequently
  13. 13 Add 1 cup of the reserved marinade and cook the meat for 2 hours or more, until tender
  14. 14 Remove the meat and keep it warm
  15. 15 Strain the cooking juices into a large saucepan
  16. 16 In a small bowl, mix sour cream with flour
  17. 17 Incorporate it into the cooking juices and cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth
  18. 18 Cut the meat into 1/4-inch slices
  19. 19 Add to the hot sauce
  20. 20 Place the meat on a warm platter and pour extra sauce over it

Nutritional Information

Calories: 478 kcal
Protein: 77%
Carbohydrates: 2%
Fat: 46%
Sugar: 11%
Sodium: 11%

Percent Daily Value for nutrients; calories are shown in kcal.

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