Sauerbraten | Instant Pot German Sauerbraten Recipe (2024)

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Make thisInstant Pot Sauerbraten and you will never want to make it the traditional way ever again. It's simple, tender, and absolutely delicious in a fraction of the time and effort of the traditional cooking method.

Sauerbraten | Instant Pot German Sauerbraten Recipe (1)

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Fast. While this isn't the quickest recipe I've ever developed, it is made in a fraction of the time of a traditional sauerbraten recipe with the help of your Instant Pot.
  • Easy. Use a few easy to follow instructions for this simple pour-and-cook main course.
  • Authentic. Packed with all of the authentic German flavors you would expect from a sauerbraten recipe.
  • Low Carb. Only 11 net carbs per serving for tender meat and flavor that can't be matched.

What Does Sauerbraten Mean?

Sauerbraten is a traditional German roast dish. It translates assour roast because it's made with pickling spices as well as conventional roast ingredients. It can be made with a variety of different meats, but for this recipe I use beef.

What Cut Of Meat Is Sauerbraten Made Of?

There are several different types of beef you can use for this Sauerbraten recipe, such as Rump Roast, Eye of Round, and Chuck Roast. Basically, if you would use it for Pot Roast, you can use it for Sauerbraten.

I chose to use Rump Roast for this recipe because it's what I just happened to have in my refrigerator.

What Does Sauerbraten Taste Like?

ThisInstant Pot Sauerbraten is definitely a roast recipe you will want to try. This comes out incredibly tender and has a flavor like no other roast dish you've had. The ginger snaps at the end give it such an aromatic and sweet quality that you willlove!

Ingredients You'll Need

Don't let the long list of ingredients in this recipe scare you off before you even get started. Many of them are kitchen staples. That being said, try not to omit any of them if you want a truly authentic experience.

Here's what you need to shop for before getting started:

Make the Spice Packet

For the Meat

For Finishing

How To Make Sauerbraten

So the first thing you're going to ask me is, why did I not marinate the Sauerbraten for 3 days as any reasonable person would?

Well, I did. I marinated one batch for 3 days, another for 1.5 days, and the third batch, I made with no marinating at all. And guess what?

They all tasted the same.

None of us four testers could pick out which Sauerbraten Recipe was which. So of course, in the interests of #ruthlessefficiency, I have written the recipe so that you can slap it together on any day at all, with almost no pre-planning.

  1. For the spice packet: Place pickling spices, juniper berries, and bay leaves into a cheesecloth bag and place into the inner liner of the Instant Pot or pressure cooker.
  2. Place the beef into the inner liner of the instant pot. Add onions, carrots, ginger, sugar, salt, and pepper. Pour over the red wine vinegar and chicken broth.
  3. Set the Instant Pot at High pressure for 40 minutes. When cook time is complete, let the pot sit undisturbed for 10 minutes, and then release all remaining pressure.
  4. Open the lid and remove the beef from a serving tray. Cover with foil and let it rest. Discard the cheesecloth bag.
  5. Add in crushed gingersnaps, sour cream (if using), and mustard. Use an immersion blender to blend the vegetables until a rough sauce forms. Pour over the meat and serve.

What To Serve With It

I love cooking this in the Instant Pot because it's simple enough for a weeknight dinner, but also nice enough to present to guests. Serve it with mashed potatoes or spaetzle for the most traditional pairing. Or, if you are doing low carb, you could serve it with riced cauliflower, or steamed veggies.

How Long Does It Last?

This Sauerbraten recipe calls for a three-pound roast, so it does make a significant amount of food. If you have leftovers (we certainly did) you can expect them to last up to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

More Great German Recipes

If you're looking for more great German recipes, check out my Instant Pot German Red Cabbage. Make this delightfully sweet and sour side vegetarian dish right in your Instant Pot.

For another incredibly simple German recipe, try my Currywurst recipe. It's low carb, flavorful, and made in your air fryer.

Sauerbraten | Instant Pot German Sauerbraten Recipe (2)

If you love this Sauerbraten recipe as much as we do, make sure you share it with your friends on Facebook and Instagram so they can try it too. Don't forget to Pin it so you can make it again soon!

Sauerbraten | Instant Pot German Sauerbraten Recipe (3)

Sauerbraten | Instant Pot German Sauerbraten

Once again the Instant Pot saves the day! Make thisInstant Pot Sauerbraten and you will never want to make it the traditional way ever again. It's simple, tender, and absolutely delicious in a fraction of the time and effort of the traditional method of cooking.

Print Recipe Rate Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Time to Pressure and NPR: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Course: Main Courses

Cuisine: German

Keyword: authentic German Sauerbraten, instant pot sauerbraten, sauerbraten, Sour bratten

Servings: 10

Calories: 332kcal

Click on highlighted ingredients or Equipment to see exactly what I use to make this recipe

Ingredients

For the Spice Packet

  • 3 tablespoons (3 tablespoons) pickling spices
  • 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) juniper berries
  • 2 (2) Bay Leaves

For the Meat

For Finishing

  • 1/2 cup (56.5 g) crushed gingersnaps
  • 1/2 cup (115 g) sour cream, optional
  • 2 tablespoons (2 tablespoons) Coarse-Ground Mustard

Instructions

  • For the spice packet: Place pickling spices, juniper berries, and bay leaves into a cheesecloth bag and place into the inner liner of the Instant Pot or pressure cooker.

  • Place the beef into the inner liner of the instant pot. Add onions, carrots, ginger, sugar, salt, and pepper. Pour over the red wine vinegar and chicken broth.

  • Set the Instant Pot at High pressure for 40 minutes. When cook time is complete, let the pot sit undisturbed for 10 minutes, and then release all remaining pressure.

  • Open the lid and remove the beef to a serving tray. Cover with foil and let it rest. Discard cheesecloth bag.

  • Add in in crushed gingersnaps (if using), sour cream (if using) and mustard. Use an immersion blender to blend the vegetables until a rough sauce forms. Pour over the meat and serve.

If you can't find pre-mixed pickling spices, it usually is a loose combination of mustard seeds, allspice berries, whole coriander seeds, bay leaves and cinnamon. Honestly, just throw some of those in there and call it a day.

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Nutrition

Calories: 332kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 13g | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g

Tried this recipe?Follow @twosleevers and Pin it!

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Sauerbraten | Instant Pot German Sauerbraten Recipe (4)

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Karl

    Sauerbraten | Instant Pot German Sauerbraten Recipe (5)
    I made the recipe but only had a 1.2lb London Broil. I kept all other quantities per the recipe. I have made other versions that seared the meat first. I believe not searing made all the difference. I believe that not searing allowed the meat to absorb the marinade better.
    I I didn't use mustard or sour cream since my mother never did.
    This was the best since my German mother's version.

    Reply

  2. Deb

    Sauerbraten | Instant Pot German Sauerbraten Recipe (6)
    Made this for supper today following your exact recipe.It was so easy to made and turned out delicious! Will definitely make this recipe again. Will mark this A+ on this recipe page in your cookbook!

    Reply

  3. Will

    Sauerbraten | Instant Pot German Sauerbraten Recipe (7)
    Wunderbar!!! So easy and so delicious.

    Reply

  4. Darla

    Sauerbraten | Instant Pot German Sauerbraten Recipe (8)
    Easy and delicious!

    Reply

  5. Gth

    Sauerbraten | Instant Pot German Sauerbraten Recipe (9)
    Awesome Recipe! My dad every year made a similar version but
    The old way and it took four days.
    I served this to him tonight and he said it was better!
    Always grind your cookies and add them slow after 10.
    I don't grind the veg in gravy!
    Works great as a Venison Recipe!
    Thank You
    Gth

    Reply

    • URVASHI PITRE

      Oh this makes me so happy! The seal of approval from someone who knows what the recipe should taste like! I’m so glad to hear this.

      Reply

  6. Deb Whitten

    Absolutely amazing! Loved it! The spices just went crazy blending together and made such an incredible dinner - served over mashed potatoes! WOW!

    Reply

    • URVASHI PITRE

      This makes me very happy ?

      Reply

  7. Shamarie Horn

    Fantastic recipe. Made it exactly as written. I wasn't expecting so much gravy. But will be great with other things later.

    Reply

  8. Tina

    Is there a substitute for Red wine vinegar? Couldn't find it locally and really want to try this recipe.

    Reply

    • Jim Tomczak

      Sauerbraten | Instant Pot German Sauerbraten Recipe (10)
      Many very old recipes,my grandmother’s (birthday 12/15/1898) mother’s recipe calls for white vinegar.

      Reply

  9. John b

    The recipe says to make the cheesecloth bag, and then to discard it. It does not say where to use it.

    Reply

    • Micha

      I was just about to put the same comment.
      I'm under the assumption it gets tossed in with the veggies? But the post should certainly be edited to include this information.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Sauerbraten | Instant Pot German Sauerbraten Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What cut of meat is sauerbraten made of? ›

Sauerbraten is a German roast of marinated meat, traditionally beef. Since it's generally made with tougher cuts (usually the rump roast), the meat is marinated for days at a time. The roast is sliced and served with a gravy. In some recipes, the gravy is made with gingersnaps.

What does sauerbraten mean in German? ›

The name "Sauerbraten" is of German origin, and is derived from Sauer meaning "sour" or "pickled" and Braten meaning "roast meat", thus "sour roast".

Should I sear my roast before instant pot? ›

The Importance of Searing

When using the Instant Pot, searing your meat before roasting it can make a significant difference in the final taste and texture of your dish. The high heat of the Instant Pot allows you to quickly sear the meat, locking in its natural juices and enhancing its overall flavor.

What does sauerbraten taste like? ›

Sauerbraten is translated to Sour Roast and is a German pot roast with a slightly sour taste for the meat and also for the gravy. To counter the sourness of the ingredients like wine and vinegar, some sweet ingredients are added. Sauerbraten with potato dumplings and red cabbage.

What is the cooking method that creates the famous German sauerbraten frying poaching roasting braising? ›

This authentic German Sauerbraten recipe makes the most tender and juicy roast beef and a wonderful sweet and sour gravy. Beef is richly marinated for a few days in a mixture of red wine, vinegar, and a mix of flavorful herbs and warm spices. Then, the meat is braised until succulent and tender—it's so irresistible!

What is a traditional German meat? ›

Schweinebraten (German Roast Pork Shoulder)

This classic German recipe is all about the contrast between savory, fork-tender meat and a crispy, tender crust of pork crackling flavored with cumin, caraway, and mustard seeds.

What beer to drink with sauerbraten? ›

Authentic German Sauerbraten

You'll most likely see this dish served with spaetzle, potato dumplings, or mashed potatoes and cabbage. Oktoberfest beer pairing: Choose a dunkelweiss, märzen, or weissbier to go with this rich German dish.

What is a Ritter in Germany? ›

Ritter (German for "knight") is a designation used as a title of nobility in German-speaking areas. Traditionally it denotes the second-lowest rank within the nobility, standing above "Edler" and below "Freiherr" (Baron).

What wine to serve with sauerbraten? ›

Wine Pairing: With Sauerbraten, opt for a Riesling from Germany to complement the sweet and sour notes. For roast goose, a medium to full-bodied red wine such as Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) or a rich Riesling can be an excellent choice.

Why is my roast tough in Instant Pot? ›

If you find that it's still tough after cooking, you'll need to cook it for another 10 to 20 minutes at high pressure – it just needs a bit longer to continue to brine and break down the connective tissue.

What happens if you don't sear beef? ›

Searing meat before slow cooking adds flavor through caramelization, but it's not mandatory. If you skip searing, you might miss some depth of flavor, but the slow cooker will still cook the meat thoroughly.

What is the national dish of Germany? ›

Sauerbraten. Sauerbraten is regarded as one Germany's national dishes and there are several regional variations in Franconia, Thuringia, Rhineland, Saarland, Silesia and Swabia. This pot roast takes quite a while to prepare, but the results, often served as Sunday family dinner, are truly worth the work.

What does a typical German dinner look like? ›

Dinner. In Germany, the evening meal is called Abendessen or Abendbrot – the latter is actually more like a supper, and literally translates to 'evening bread'. Following a hearty lunch, Germans traditionally enjoy a lighter dinner, with breads, hams, sausages, cheeses, and pickles all being very common.

What is the tastiest roast? ›

What are the best beef roasts?
  • Chuck Roast. The boneless chuck roast is among the most popular roasts on the market due to its incredible beefy taste, fat content (it's well marbled), and effortless cooking process. ...
  • Rump Roast. ...
  • Bottom Round Roast. ...
  • Sirloin Tip Roast. ...
  • Pot Roast (Shoulder Roast) ...
  • Tri-tip. ...
  • Picanha.
Apr 22, 2023

What is rump roast cut called? ›

What we call a rump roast is known by other names, including: Bottom Round Roast. Round Tip Roast. Bottom Round Oven Roast.

What cut of meat is roast beef made from? ›

There's no single cut of beef that is necessary to make roast beef; some common cuts include top-round roast, top sirloin roast, bottom-round roast, and eye of round roast. We usually use a top-round roast, but a bottom-round roast would work too.

What kind of meat is chuck tender roast? ›

This large primal comes from the shoulder area and yields cuts known for their rich, beefy flavor. Features roasts ideal for slow-cooking as well as more tender, grill-ready cuts such as the Flat Iron Steak.

What cut is a mock tender roast? ›

Mock tender is a lean cut taken from the shoulder blade of the animal. Despite the name, it's not very tender. For the best eating experience, roast or braise mock tender, or cut it up for stew meat.

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