Sauerbraten | Instant Pot German Sauerbraten Recipe

Make this Instant 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.

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 as sour 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?

This Instant 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 will love!

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

• Pickling spices
• Juniper berries
• Bay Leaves

For the Meat

• Beef Rump Roast- You will want to cut this into three large pieces for faster cooking.
• Sliced Onions
• Large chopped carrots
• Chicken Broth
• Red Wine Vinegar
• Minced Ginger
• Brown Sugar
• Kosher Salt
• Ground Black Pepper

For Finishing

• Crushed gingersnaps
• Sour cream
• Coarse-Ground Mustard

How To Make Sauerbraten

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.

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!

Don't forget to check out my other Best-selling Instant Pot Cookbooks!

Indian Instant Pot, Keto Instant Pot, Instant Pot Fast and Easy, Healthy Instant Pot & Vegetarian Instant Pot.