Cooking traditional sauerbraten is a time-consuming process. While there are many variations and recipes for sauerbraten over the years, they all require hours of slow cooking to ensure the beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender. But thanks to the Instant Pot, it’s now possible to make sauerbraten in under an hour. You can take this traditional German pot roast recipe and make it faster, with all the delicious, juicy, and fork-tender meat, just like Grandma used to make. So let’s get cooking!
How to Make Sauerbraten in an Instant Pot
What is Sauerbraten? Sauerbraten is a classic German pot roast that typically features a mild to moderate vinegar-based marinade that is usually a combination of wine, vinegar, and seasonings. Sauerbraten can be prepared using any type of beef, from sirloin to brisket, and the most common accompaniment is spaetzle. It’s a tender, juicy, and savory beef dish that originated in Germany and has been a beloved tradition in many households for centuries.
What You’ll Need
- 2 pounds beef cubes for stewing (like chuck or brisket)
- 1/2 cup of red or white wine
- 1/2 cup of beef broth
- 2 tablespoons of vinegar
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon of caraway seeds
- 1 teaspoon of ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- 1 teaspoon of nutmeg
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 2 tablespoons of canola oil
Preparing the Meat
- Start by seasoning the beef cubes with salt and pepper.
- Heat the canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the seasoned beef cubes.
- Brown the beef cubes on all sides, about 5 minutes.
- Transfer the beef cubes to the Instant Pot.
Marinating the Beef
- In a medium bowl, combine the wine, beef broth, vinegar, onion, garlic, tomato paste, caraway seeds, ginger, paprika, nutmeg, bay leaves, and parsley. Mix until all ingredients are combined.
- Pour the marinade over the beef cubes in the Instant Pot.
- Close the lid of the Instant Pot and turn the valve to “Sealing” position.
- Press the “Manual” button and set the cooking time to 25 minutes.
Finishing the Recipe
- When the cooking time is up, open the lid of the Instant Pot and stir the beef cubes.
- Turn the valve to “Venting” position to release the pressure.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beef cubes to a serving dish.
- Serve the sauerbraten with fresh parsley and spaetzle on the side.
Tips for Making the Most Delicious Sauerbraten
- Make sure to marinate the beef in the mixture for at least 2-3 hours for the most tender and flavorful results. You can also make the marinade the night before and let it sit in the fridge overnight.
- For more flavor and complexity, you can add a few juniper berries to the marinade.
- For the best results, use cubed chuck roast or brisket for your sauerbraten.
- If you’d like to add a bit of sweetness, substitute the vinegar with apple cider.
- If you don’t have time to marinate the beef cubes, you can skip the marinating step and just cook the beef cubes with the marinade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is sauerbraten time-consuming to make?
A: Traditionally, sauerbraten is a time-consuming dish to make. The traditional recipe involves marinating the beef for several hours or even days and then slow-roasting for several hours. Thanks to the Instant Pot, it’s now possible to make sauerbraten in under an hour.
Q: How many servings does this recipe make?
A: This recipe can make 4-6 servings.
Q: Can I make sauerbraten without wine?
A: Yes, you can easily make sauerbraten without wine. Just substitute the wine with an equal amount of beef broth.
Q: Can I make this recipe with chicken instead?
A: Yes, you can make the recipe with chicken. Just replace the beef cubes with boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into cubes.
Q: What’s the best way to serve sauerbraten?
A: Sauerbraten is traditionally served with spaetzle and a bit of fresh parsley. You can also serve it with mashed potatoes or boiled potatoes.
Q: What kind of beef should I use?
A: For the best results, use cubed chuck roast or brisket for your sauerbraten.
Sauerbraten Instant Pot Recipe
Enjoy a centuries-old German classic with this delicious Sauerbraten Instant Pot recipe!
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Ingredients
3–4 lb beef round roast (cut into cubes)
2–3 onions (chopped)
3–4 carrots (chopped)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
3 bay leaves
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves (or 2 tsp dried)
2 teaspoons mustard seeds
2 teaspoons coriander seeds
1 teaspoon whole allspice
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
4 cups beef broth
Instructions
In a large bowl, mix together tomato paste, red wine vinegar, sugar, thyme, mustard seeds, coriander seeds, allspice, salt, and pepper. Add cubes meat and stir to coat. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Set the Instant Pot to Saute mode. Add the chopped onions, carrots, and garlic, and cook until the vegetables start to soften, about 5 minutes.
Add the marinated beef and any remaining marinade. Top with the bay leaves and beef broth.
Secure the lid and turn the pressure valve to Sealing. Set the Instant Pot to Manual, and change the time to 15 minutes. When the cooking time finishes, let it naturally release pressure for 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure.
Remove the lid and turn the Instant Pot to Saute mode, and simmer for 5 minutes to thicken the sauce.
Serve over egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or spaetzle, and garnish with fresh thyme leaves.
Notes
The marinade will help tenderize the beef, but it will take some time. As an alternative, you can use a kitchen mallet or tenderizing tool to break down the meat.
To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free beef broth and skip the wine vinegar
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: German
- Diet: Halal
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 630mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: Sauerbraten, German Cuisine, Instant Pot, , , ,
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