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Sauerbraten (German: sauer, seasoned + Braten, roast meat)
is a German pot roast, usually of beef (but other meats such as venison, lamb,
mutton, pork, and horse are sometimes used), marinated before cooking
in a mixture of vinegar, water, spices and seasonings. |
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Left: Sauerbraten with potato dumplings
and red cabbage. |
Sauerbraten is traditionally served with red cabbage, potato dumplings
(Kartoffelklöße),
Spätzle (a type of
egg noodles and small dumplings), boiled potatoes, or noodles.
Sauerbraten is one of the best known German dishes and several regions boast
local versions including: Bavaria, Rhineland, Saarland, Silesia, and Swabia.
Regional variations of sauerbraten differ in the ingredients of their marinade,
gravy, and traditional accompaniments.
A solid cut from the bottom round or rump is marinated for
three or four days, or as many as 10, before cooking. Red wine vinegar, wine, and/or water typically forms the basis of the marinade,
which also includes earthy aromatic spices such as peppercorns, juniper berries,
cloves, nutmeg, and bay leaves and less commonly coriander, mustard seed, laurel
leaves, cinnamon, mace, ginger, and thyme. The marinade may also
include vegetables such as onions, celery, and carrots. The acidic marinade
helps tenderize the meat (which is typically a tougher cut) before it cooks.
Buttermilk is also used as a marinade in certain regional varieties.
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It is frequently advised to marinate the meat in an earthenware, glass, plastic,
or enamel container rather than one made of metal, so the acidic marinade does
not react with the vessel during the extended marinating process. |
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Left: Sauerbraten marinating. |
After the meat is removed from the marinade and dried, it is first browned in
oil or lard and then braised with the strained marinade in a covered dish in a
medium oven or on the stovetop. After simmering for four hours or more,
depending on the size of the roast, the marinade will continue to flavor the
roast, and as the meat cooks, its juices will also be released resulting in a
very tender roast.
After the roast is cooked, the marinade is strained and
returned to a saucepan where it is thickened (often with crushed gingerbread,
lebkuchen, or gingersnaps, flour, sour cream, brown sugar, and/or roux) which
brings both body and flavor to the sauce.
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In the popular Rhineland
version (Rheinischer Sauerbraten), sugar and raisins are added to the
gravy in order to give the dish some countering sweetness. |
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Left: Sauerbraten from the
Rhineland - ready with raisins. |
Venison or other game are often prepared as sauerbraten as the spices and
vinegar take away the “wild” taste of the meat.
