How to Cook Sauerbraten: A Delicious German Pot Roast

Are you interested in trying a traditional dish from Germany? Sauerbraten is a delightful pot roast that you can prepare using various meats, including beef, lamb, mutton, or pork. This dish is celebrated for its rich flavor, which comes from a marinating process followed by slow cooking. Here’s a straightforward guide to cooking sauerbraten.

Ingredients

To make sauerbraten, gather these ingredients:

• 3 to 4 pounds of meat (beef, lamb, mutton, or pork)
• 2 cups of red wine
• 1 cup of apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup of water
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons of whole cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of black peppercorns
• Vegetable oil for browning

Marinating the Meat

First, marinate the meat. In a large bowl, mix the red wine, apple cider vinegar, water, diced onion, chopped carrots, minced garlic, whole cloves, bay leaves, sugar, salt, and black peppercorns. Submerge the meat in this marinade, ensuring it is fully covered. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, turning the meat occasionally for even marination. Longer marination will yield more flavor.

Slow Cooking the Meat

After marinating, it's time to cook the sauerbraten. Remove the meat from the marinade and pat it dry with paper towels. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat some vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Brown the meat on all sides, which should take about 5-7 minutes.

Next, pour the marinade mixture into the pot, ensuring the meat is submerged. Cover the pot and simmer on low heat for about 3 hours, or until the meat is tender and falls apart easily. This slow cooking method enhances the taste and tenderness of the sauerbraten.

Finishing Touches

Once cooked, take the meat out of the pot and let it rest for a few minutes. Slice the sauerbraten into thin pieces and arrange them on a serving platter. You can strain the remaining liquid and serve it alongside the meat as a sauce.

Sauerbraten is traditionally accompanied by side dishes like potato dumplings, spaetzle, or roasted potatoes. These complements enhance the flavors of the pot roast.

Cooking sauerbraten takes time, but the results are satisfying. This traditional German pot roast, marinated and slow-cooked to perfection, will impress your guests. Whether using beef, lamb, mutton, or pork, the flavors of sauerbraten are sure to please.

Consider trying sauerbraten for your next holiday celebration. Enjoy the taste of this time-honored dish and make your gathering a memorable one.