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
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.
- 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 from a serving tray. Cover with foil and let it rest. Discard the cheesecloth bag.
- 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!
Sauerbraten | Instant Pot German Sauerbraten
Ingredients
For the Spice Packet
- 3 tablespoons pickling spices
- 1 teaspoon juniper berries
- 2 Bay Leaves
For the Meat
- 3 pounds beef rump roast cut into 3 large pieces
- 2 cups Sliced Onions
- 1 cup large chopped carrots
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
- 1/2 cup Red Wine Vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Minced Ginger
- 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
For Finishing
- 1/2 cup crushed gingersnaps
- 1/2 cup sour cream optional
- 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.
Notes
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.
Karl
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.
Deb
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!
Will
Wunderbar!!! So easy and so delicious.
Darla
Easy and delicious!
Gth
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
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.
Deb Whitten
Absolutely amazing! Loved it! The spices just went crazy blending together and made such an incredible dinner - served over mashed potatoes! WOW!
URVASHI PITRE
This makes me very happy ?
Shamarie Horn
Fantastic recipe. Made it exactly as written. I wasn't expecting so much gravy. But will be great with other things later.
Tina
Is there a substitute for Red wine vinegar? Couldn't find it locally and really want to try this recipe.
Jim Tomczak
Many very old recipes,my grandmother’s (birthday 12/15/1898) mother’s recipe calls for white vinegar.
John b
The recipe says to make the cheesecloth bag, and then to discard it. It does not say where to use it.
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.