Authentic German Beef Rouladen with Traditional Sides
Indulge in the classic flavors of Germany with these hearty Beef Rouladen, a perfect centerpiece for your Sunday dinner. Thinly sliced flank steaks are generously filled with a savory mixture of onions, smoked pork belly, and dill pickles, then rolled up and slowly braised to tender perfection. Served with rich red cabbage and fluffy potato dumplings, this dish embodies comfort and tradition. Best of all, Rouladen freezes wonderfully, making it an ideal meal prep option for busy weekdays. For an authentic touch, seek out smoked and salted pork belly, which elevates this dish with its unique flavor profile.
4
Servings
450
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Flank steaks
4 pieces (sliced very thin)
Onions
4 large (1 diced, 3 quartered (include brown skins for color))
Bacon or Smoked Pork Belly
3 slices (chopped)
Pickles
1/2 cup (diced, dill, kosher, German style)
Spicy Mustard
to taste (for spreading)
Salt
to taste (for seasoning)
Black Pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Paprika
to taste (for seasoning)
Cooking Oil
as needed (for browning)
Beef Broth
2 cups
Instructions
1
Start by flattening each flank steak with a meat pounder to ensure even cooking.
2
Generously spread mustard over the inside of each piece of meat.
3
In a bowl, combine the diced onion, chopped bacon (or smoked pork belly), and diced pickles, mixing well.
4
Distribute an equal amount of the filling mixture onto each piece of flank steak.
5
Season the filled steaks with salt, black pepper, and paprika according to your taste.
6
Carefully roll each steak from the short end, securing the edges with toothpicks or kitchen twine.
7
Spread additional mustard over the outside of the roll-ups and season lightly once more.
8
In a heavy broiler pan, heat a splash of cooking oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, brown the roll-ups on all sides for about 5-7 minutes.
9
Add 1.5 cups of beef broth to the pan, along with the quartered onions and their brown skins, which will enhance the color of the gravy.
10
Cover the pan and transfer it to a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C). Braise for 2-3 hours, uncovering for the last 30 minutes, until the beef is fork-tender. Add more broth if the liquid level gets too low.
11
Once done, remove the rouladen from the pan and set aside. Strain the cooking liquid into a saucepan and reduce until thickened to create a rich gravy.
12
Serve the Beef Rouladen hot with potato dumplings and roasted or sautéed red cabbage for a truly German experience.
Nutrition Information
22.5g
Fat
15g
Carbs
30g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Authentic German Beef Rouladen?
Authentic German Beef Rouladen is a traditional dish consisting of thinly sliced beef steaks rolled around a filling of mustard, onions, bacon, and pickles, then slow-braised until tender.
What cut of beef is best for Rouladen?
This recipe calls for flank steaks sliced very thin. You should flatten them further with a meat pounder for even cooking.
What is inside a German Rouladen?
The filling traditionally consists of spicy mustard, diced onions, chopped bacon or smoked pork belly, and diced dill pickles.
How do I prevent the Rouladen from falling apart?
Carefully roll each steak from the short end and secure the edges using either toothpicks or kitchen twine before browning.
What temperature should the oven be for braising?
The Rouladen should be braised in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
How long does it take to cook Beef Rouladen?
The beef should be braised for 2 to 3 hours until it is fork-tender.
Why are onion skins used in the recipe?
Adding quartered onions with their brown skins into the braising liquid helps enhance the natural brown color of the gravy.
Can I freeze Beef Rouladen?
Yes, Rouladen freezes wonderfully, making it an excellent meal prep option for busy weekdays.
What type of mustard should be used?
Spicy mustard is recommended to provide the authentic German flavor profile.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are approximately 450 calories per serving of Beef Rouladen.
What are the traditional sides for this dish?
Beef Rouladen is traditionally served with potato dumplings and roasted or sauteed red cabbage.
How do you make the gravy for Rouladen?
Strain the cooking liquid into a saucepan after braising and reduce it until it thickens into a rich gravy.
What seasonings are used for the meat?
The meat is seasoned with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
Can I use smoked pork belly instead of bacon?
Yes, using smoked and salted pork belly is highly recommended as it elevates the dish with a unique flavor profile.
How much beef broth is needed?
The recipe requires 2 cups of beef broth, initially adding 1.5 cups to the pan and more if the liquid level gets low.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to provide 4 servings.
Do I need to brown the meat before putting it in the oven?
Yes, you should brown the roll-ups on all sides in a heavy pan for about 5-7 minutes before adding broth and braising.
What kind of pickles are best for this recipe?
Dill, kosher, or German-style pickles are the best choice for dicing into the filling.
How much fat is in this dish?
Each serving contains approximately 22.5 grams of fat.
How much protein is in a serving?
There are 30 grams of protein per serving.
What is the carbohydrate count?
There are 15 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Is the meat cooked covered or uncovered?
The pan should be covered for the majority of the time, but uncovered for the last 30 minutes of braising.
Can I use any cooking oil?
Yes, any standard cooking oil can be used for browning the roll-ups.
What category of cuisine is this?
This is a classic German cuisine recipe.
How many onions are needed?
The recipe calls for 4 large onions: one diced for the filling and three quartered for the braising liquid.
How many bacon slices are used?
The recipe uses 3 slices of bacon or smoked pork belly, which should be chopped for the filling.
Is this a good recipe for a Sunday dinner?
Absolutely, Beef Rouladen is considered a perfect centerpiece for a traditional hearty Sunday dinner.
How much pickle is required?
You will need 1/2 cup of diced dill pickles.
Should the mustard be applied to the outside too?
Yes, after rolling the steaks, you should spread additional mustard over the outside and season them lightly once more.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 10 ingredients required for this Beef Rouladen recipe.