Traditional Sauerbraten Recipe
Sauerbraten is one of the national dishes of Germany, and this version is the most authentic I can make it. The flavor is absolutely amazing, I always get rave reviews about it when I make it. Served with rotkohl and spaetzle, it’s a filling meal that everyone will love! I have long loved German food, German culture, and the German language. I even lived in Frankfurt for a time, and the very first meal I ever ate in Germany was a plate of sauerbraten with spaetzle and rotkohl, and you can bet I ate the whole thing. Even though I was jetlagged beyond belief at the time, the memory of that amazing traditional German pot roast has stayed with me for over 10 years! Don’t be daunted by the total cooking time! Real, authentic Sauerbraten needs to marinate for at least 2-3 days or even longer, but the effort is 100% worth it. The process isn’t difficult at all – it will just take a bit of meal planning! Start it on Thursday or Friday (or a week earlier) and you can serve traditional German Sauerbraten for your Sunday dinner! This classic German pot roast is perfect for celebrating Oktoberfest! Be sure to try some of my other favorite German recipes, including German Plum Cake, Homemade German Spaetzle, and German Apple Strudel (Apfelstrudel) for something a bit different too!
What is Sauerbraten?
The name sauerbraten translates to “sour roasted meat.” While it’s not the most appealing name, anyone who has ever had sauerbraten will tell you how delicious it really is! Sauerbraten is most often made with beef, although you could also make it with a lamb roast, pork, or even venison. It is actually fairly substantiated that sauerbraten used to be made with horse meat. There are even still some places where you can get it made with horse meat today, but we’ll just stick with beef for now! 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. Sauerbraten recipes can vary from region to region and sometimes call for just red wine, sometimes just vinegar, but often it is a combination of both. One of the most interesting things about sauerbraten is that crushed gingersnaps are used to thicken and flavor the sauce, creating the wonderful gravy that is spooned over the sliced meat after it’s done cooking.
Why we love this German Pot Roast
This traditional recipe from Germany is a great way to discover new cuisines. It’s a versatile recipe that works with many types and cuts of meat. Sauerbraten is relatively easy to make, and it’s perfect for making ahead of time! It’s a substantial dish, perfect for any special occasion!
German Sauerbraten ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Marinade
Vegetables – Onions, carrots, and leeks give a wonderful savory flavor to this dish. Seasoning – Use freshly minced garlic, juniper berries, kosher salt, and whole black peppercorns in this beef roast. Herbs – Fresh sprigs of thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, and whole cloves are best for a fragrant dish. Wine – Use red wine for a richly flavored marinade. Red Wine Vinegar – Adds a wonderful tanginess to the marinade. Sugar – This sweetens the marinade, giving it that sweet and sour flavor. You could use honey or a sweetener if you prefer. Broth – Beef broth will work best for this recipe to blend with the beef cut. Raisins – Use golden raisins to get an added sweetness in the marinade.
Roast
Oil: Use vegetable oil, olive oil, or another neutral-flavored oil to sear the roast before marinating. Beef: I have used a rump roast in this recipe, but the beef eye of round or bottom round are more traditional cuts of beef for sauerbraten. You can even use a beef chuck roast or a pork roast if you prefer. Gingersnaps: Ginger snaps will add to the sweetness of the dish, along with a spiced ginger flavor which is warming too!
How to make Sauerbraten
How to serve this Sauerbraten Recipe
When serving sauerbraten, you can complement it with a variety of side dishes to create a well-rounded meal. Some traditional options include:
Red Cabbage (Rotkohl): This sweet and tangy side dish pairs wonderfully with sauerbraten and its sweet and sour flavors complement the dish. It’s one of our favorite authentic German dishes! Potato Dumplings (Kartoffelklöße) or Potato Pancakes (Kartoffelpuffer): Both of these potato-based sides are commonly paired with sauerbraten in Germany and they go well with the delicious gravy. Spaetzle: Another family favorite, these soft egg noodles are a classic German side dish and are perfect for soaking up the sauerbraten sauce. Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are always a good choice and can be a comforting addition to your sauerbraten meal. Green Beans or Asparagus: A simple vegetable side dish can add freshness and color to your plate.
How to store German Pot Roast
Store your cooked and cooled sauerbraten and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, and reheat in the oven.
Can I freeze Sauerbraten?
Yes! Put your cooked and cooled sauerbraten and sauce in an airtight container that is freezer-safe and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the oven.
More Delicious German Recipes To Try
Apple StrudelHomemade Soft PretzelsTraditional German Red Cabbage RotkohlSauerkraut and Sausages with ApplesPork Schnitzel & Mushroom Gravy (Jägerschnitzel)
This post was originally published in October, 2019. The content was updated in November, 2022 to be more helpful.
Easy Homemade German Spaetzle
Traditional German Red Cabbage [Rotkohl]
German Apple Cake with Streusel Topping (Apfelkuchen mit Streusel)
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