Traditional German Sauerbraten Recipe

Traditional German Sauerbraten Recipe

  • 3 1/2 pounds beef round steak
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • ground black pepper to taste
  • 16 fluid ounces vinegar
  • 1 1/2 cups sliced carrots
  • 1 cup sliced onion
  • 12 peppercorns
  • 5 whole cloves
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 sprig fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 8 gingersnap cookies, crushed, or more to taste
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar
  1. Wipe beef with a damp cloth and season with salt and pepper. Place seasoned beef in a large glass bowl.
  2. Combine vinegar, carrots, onion, peppercorns, cloves, bay leaves, and parsley in a bowl; pour over beef. Cover dish tightly with a lid or plastic wrap.
  3. Refrigerate beef, turning daily, for 3 to 7 days.
  4. Drain meat, reserving liquid and vegetables. Rub flour over all sides of beef.
  5. Heat butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat; brown beef on all sides, 5 to 10 minutes. Add onions, carrots, and 2 cups reserved liquid. Cover Dutch oven, lower heat to medium-low, and simmer until meat is tender, about 2 hours. Transfer beef to a serving platter.
  6. Stir gingersnap crumbs and sugar into the liquid in Dutch oven; cook and stir until sauce is thickened, about 5 minutes. Pour sauce over meat.