Photo: Sauerbraten Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 1 cup red wine vinegar
- 2 large onions, cut into large chunks
- 5 cloves garlic; 3 crushed, 2 chopped
- 10 sprigs fresh thyme, plus 1 tablespoon chopped leaves
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon juniper berries (available in the spice aisle)
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1 3-to-4-pound boneless beef top chuck roast
- Kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 medium carrots, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 2 stalks celery, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons crushed gingersnap cookies
- Freshly ground pepper
- Spaetzle, for serving (see page 152)
- Sour cream, for serving (optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Directions
Combine 2 cups broth, the wine, vinegar, 1 chopped onion, the crushed garlic, thyme sprigs, bay leaves, juniper berries, peppercorns and cloves in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes. Cool to room temperature. Place the beef in a large resealable plastic bag and pour in the marinade. Seal the bag and refrigerate for 2 to 3 days, turning daily.
Preheat the oven to 350. Remove the meat from the marinade and pat dry; season with salt. Strain the marinade, discarding the solids. Heat a large ovenproof pot over medium heat and add the olive oil. Add the meat and brown on all sides, 10 to 12 minutes, then transfer to a plate. Add the carrots, celery and the remaining onion to the pot and cook until slightly softened, 5 minutes. Stir in the chopped garlic and chopped thyme and cook 1 minute. Sprinkle in the flour and cook 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the strained marinade and the remaining 1 cup broth and bring to a simmer. Return the meat to the pot, cover and cook in the oven until tender, 2 hours 30 minutes.
Remove the meat and transfer to a plate. Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat. Whisk in the gingersnaps and simmer until thickened; season with salt and pepper. Thinly slice the meat; serve with spaetzle, the vegetables and sauce and sour cream, if desired. Top with parsley.
Photograph by Kate Mathis
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By Luise70
Long Island, NY
on December 03, 2012
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It sounds good but since Sauerbraten is a regional dish, every region of Germany prepares it differently. My mother came from the Black Forest and prepared Rheinischer Sauerbraten and there are no gingersnaps to be found! A good red wine that you would drink, tarragon and red wine vinegar, marinated for 7 days plus carrots, garlic, etc. and served with fabulous potato dumplings and red cabbage - not the kind that is sold in jars or cans here in the States! - made from fresh red cabbage, red wine etc. and cooked slowly for 3 hours until it is glossy. Now that's a meal made in heaven. Follow that with homemade apple strudel or Apfel Kuchen - apple cake - that is made with a yeast dough that is very thin almost like making a pizza. I wish she were here so we could share once again that wonderful meal.
By Allemande
on October 05, 2012
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Very good recipe and very authentic tasting. The meat should definitely marinate for three days and use more gingersnaps. I know it is difficult to find juniper berries (Wacholderbeeren in the U.S., but I found that saving the liquid in pickle jars usually yields a good supply. Moreover, all the other leftover goodies, such as the bits of garlic and onion in that deliciously sour flavor make a great addition to the sauerbraten. In fact, my grandmother always chopped or sliced some pickle into the pot along with the onion, and she used a type of gingerbread especially made for sauerbraten.
By bobbyaxe61_9190220
Spring Hill, TN
on July 22, 2012
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Great Sauerbraten recipe. We only did 2 days of marinating, we will do 3 next time. Found Juniper Berries at Whole Foods. Used a bottom round instead of chuck and made this gluten free by substituting Bob's Red Mill Biscuit and Baking mix flour and gluten free gingersnaps for the gravy.
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