How to Make Sauerbraten with Sour Cream Gravy, Wienerwald-Style - A Step-by-Step Guide

Sauerbraten with Sour Cream Gravy, Wienerwald-Style is a traditional German dish that is beloved for its rich, tangy flavors and tender, juicy meat. This recipe has been passed down through generations, and it continues to be a favorite in many households around the world.

Sauerbraten is a classic German pot roast that is marinated in a mixture of vinegar, wine, and spices for several days, resulting in a tangy, flavorful meat that is melt-in-your-mouth tender. The sour cream gravy ad...

Read more

Ingredients

  • 4 cups water, divided
  • 4 cups red wine vinegar, divided
  • ¼ cup salt
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 tablespoons whole black peppercorns
  • 2 tablespoons white mustard seeds
  • 2 tablespoons diced crystallized ginger
  • 1 tablespoon whole allspice berries
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 2 cups light brown sugar
  • 6 pounds beef top round roast
  • 1 cup Marsala wine
  • 2 cups full-fat sour cream

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 1 hr 40 mins
  • Additional Time: 4 days 20 mins
  • Total Time: 4 days 2 hrs 15 mins
  • Servings: 24
  • Yield: 1 6-pound roast

  • Heat 2 cups water and 2 cups vinegar in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add salt, cinnamon sticks, peppercorns, mustard seeds, ginger, allspice, and cloves. Bring to a simmer; immediately remove from heat. Stir in brown sugar until dissolved. Add Marsala wine. Let mixture steep until pan is cool enough to touch, at least 20 minutes.
  • Place beef top round in a 1 1/2-quart resealable zip-top bag. Pour liquid around the beef. Pour in remaining water and vinegar and seal bag, removing as much air as possible. Place bag in a leak-proof container and refrigerate for 4 days, turning once a day.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Remove meat from bag and transfer into a roasting pan; reserve the marinade.
  • Strain spices out of the marinade and discard. Pour 1/2 of the liquid into the pan with the meat and reserve the rest, about 4 cups, in a saucepan.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 1 1/2 hours. Transfer to a platter and let rest.
  • Bring the 4 cups of remaining marinade to a simmer. Stir in sour cream and cook until thickened to your preference, 6 to 10 minutes. Slice beef against the grain and spoon the gravy on top.
  • Nutrition

    314 cal.

    • Total Fat: 12g
    • Saturated Fat: 5g
    • Cholesterol: 69mg
    • Sodium: 1022mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 25g
    • Dietary Fiber: 1g
    • Total Sugars: 19g
    • Protein: 24g
    • Vitamin C: 1mg
    • Calcium: 55mg
    • Iron: 3mg
    • Potassium: 338mg