Traditional Sauerbraten

Name: Traditional Sauerbraten
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 240 min
Total time: 3135 min
Ingredients: 3 pounds beef rump roast; 2 large onions, chopped; 1 cup red wine vinegar, or to taste; 1 cup water; 1 tablespoon salt; 1 tablespoon ground black pepper; 1 tablespoon white sugar; 10 whole cloves, or more to taste; 2 bay leaves, or more to taste; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; salt and ground black pepper to taste; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 10 gingersnap cookies, crumbled

4.6

(137)

117 Reviews

11 Photos

For this sauerbraten, I found two slightly different handwritten versions of my Grandmother's recipe. Born in Nekkar am Rhein in 1904, she naturally learned to cook traditional German meals as a young woman and didn't rely on a cookbook. I try to capture the nuance in this. Serve with potato dumplings.

Recipe by Chris Simpler

Updated on February 23, 2023

mid angle looking at a plate of traditional sauerbraten

11

Prep Time:

15 mins

Cook Time:

4 hrs

Additional Time:

2 days

Total Time:

2 days 4 hrs 15 mins

Servings:

6

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

3 pounds beef rump roast
2 large onions, chopped
1 cup red wine vinegar, or to taste
1 cup water
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon white sugar
10 whole cloves, or more to taste
2 bay leaves, or more to taste
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
10 gingersnap cookies, crumbled

Directions

Place beef rump roast, onions, vinegar, water, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 tablespoon black pepper, sugar, cloves, and bay leaves in a large pot. Cover and refrigerate for 2 to 3 days, turning meat daily. Remove meat from marinade and pat dry with paper towels, reserving marinade.

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Season flour to taste with salt and black pepper in a large bowl. Sprinkle flour mixture over beef.

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Heat vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat; cook beef until brown on all sides, about 10 minutes.

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Pour reserved marinade over beef, cover, and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer until beef is tender, 3 1/2 to 4 hours.

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Remove beef to a platter and slice.

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Strain solids from remaining liquid and continue cooking over medium heat. Add gingersnap cookies and simmer until gravy is thickened, about 10 minutes. Serve gravy over sliced beef.

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)

456	Calories
22g	Fat
21g	Carbs
41g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 456
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 22g	29%
Saturated Fat 7g	34%
Cholesterol 100mg	33%
Sodium 1683mg	73%
Total Carbohydrate 21g	8%
Dietary Fiber 2g	7%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 41g
Vitamin C 4mg	20%
Calcium 39mg	3%
Iron 4mg	23%
Potassium 654mg	14%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.