Sauerbraten

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 4 to 6 servings
  • Total: 3 days 4 hr 50 min
  • Prep: 30 min
  • Inactive: 3 days
  • Cook: 4 hr 20 min
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Ingredients

2 cups water

1 cup cider vinegar

1 cup red wine vinegar

1 medium onion, chopped

1 large carrot, chopped

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt, additional for seasoning meat

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 bay leaves

6 whole cloves

12 juniper berries

1 teaspoon mustard seeds

1 (3 1/2 to 4-pound) bottom round

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1/3 cup sugar

18 dark old-fashioned gingersnaps (about 5 ounces), crushed

1/2 cup seedless raisins, optional

Directions

  1. In a large saucepan over high heat combine the water, cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, onion, carrot, salt, pepper, bay leaves, cloves, juniper, and mustard seeds. Cover and bring this to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
  2. Pat the bottom round dry and rub with vegetable oil and salt on all sides. Heat a large saute pan over high heat; add the meat and brown on all sides, approximately 2 to 3 minutes per side.
  3. When the marinade has cooled to a point where you can stick your finger in it and not be burned, place the meat in a non-reactive vessel and pour over the marinade. Place into the refrigerator for 3 days. If the meat is not completely submerged in the liquid, turn it over once a day.
  4. After 3 days of marinating, preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
  5. Add the sugar to the meat and marinade, cover and place on the middle rack of the oven and cook until tender, approximately 4 hours.
  6. Remove the meat from the vessel and keep warm. Strain the liquid to remove the solids. Return the liquid to the pan and place over medium-high heat. Whisk in the gingersnaps and cook until thickened, stirring occasionally. Strain the sauce through a fine mesh sieve to remove any lumps. Add the raisins if desired. Slice the meat and serve with the sauce.

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Loves nature

This is sooo delish! My hub loves German food especially after having spent time in Germany, He always orders Sauerbraten when we go to German restaurants. He said this meal was as good as what he had in Germany & better than any sauerbraten he's had stateside. Other than doubling the marinade/gravy, I followed the recipe ingredients exactly, including the meat braising which some have discussed. I did cook it on low in the crockpot for 10 hours as I couldn't attend to it. The meat was so tender, it shredded (which we liked) vs holding together for slicing. I served it like Larry below, with braised red cabbage with apples & whole wheat spaetzle.

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