Sauerbraten-Inspired Braised Beef with Root Vegetables

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-24 · Updated 2026-05-24

Tender beef slow-braised in a spiced vinegar marinade with hearty root vegetables, reminiscent of the traditional Sauerbraten from the Baden-Württemberg region. This german-inspired beef ready in about 215 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, red wine vinegar, red wine for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs beef chuck roast
• 1 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 cup red wine
• 2 cups beef broth
• 3 medium, peeled and cut into chunks carrots
• 2, chopped celery stalks
• 1 large, quartered onion
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 whole cloves
• 1 tsp whole black peppercorns
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 4 crushed (optional for thickening) gingersnap cookies

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup red wine vinegar, 1 cup red wine, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 2 bay leaves, 4 whole cloves, and 1 tsp whole black peppercorns; add 3 lbs beef chuck roast and marinate covered in the fridge for 12-24 hours.
2. Step 2: Remove beef from marinade, pat dry, and reserve marinade; heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
3. Step 3: Sear the beef on all sides until deeply browned, about 4 minutes per side; remove and set aside.
4. Step 4: Add 1 large quartered onion, 3 medium peeled and chunked carrots, and 2 chopped celery stalks to the pot; sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
5. Step 5: Pour in the reserved marinade and 2 cups beef broth, scraping up browned bits from the bottom.
6. Step 6: Return the beef to the pot, add 2 tbsp brown sugar, cover, and reduce heat to low; simmer gently for 3 hours or until beef is fork-tender.
7. Step 7: Remove beef and vegetables to a serving dish; optionally stir 4 crushed gingersnap cookies into the braising liquid and simmer until thickened to make a rich sauce.
8. Step 8: Slice the beef and serve topped with the sauce and vegetables.