Slow Cooker German-Style Sauerbraten with Red Cabbage

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-17 · Updated 2026-06-17

A rich, slow-cooked pot roast marinated in tangy spices, served with sweet and sour braised red cabbage for a comforting German-inspired meal. This German-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 495 minutes, pairs beef chuck roast, apple cider vinegar, beef broth 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
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 large, sliced into rings onion
• 2 medium, chopped carrots
• 2 bay leaves
• 5 whole cloves
• 10 whole black peppercorns
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 medium head, shredded red cabbage
• 1 medium, peeled and chopped apple
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

The slow cooker we’d leave this in all day → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 cups beef broth, 1 sliced large onion, 2 chopped carrots, 2 bay leaves, 5 whole cloves, and 10 black peppercorns. Place 3 lbs beef chuck roast in a large resealable bag and pour marinade over it. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 12 hours or overnight.
2. Step 2: Remove the roast from the marinade, reserving the liquid. Place the roast and marinade liquid into a slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 hours until the beef is fork-tender.
3. Step 3: While the roast cooks, melt 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 shredded medium head of red cabbage, 1 chopped peeled apple, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Sauté and stir for 15 minutes until the cabbage is tender and caramelized.
4. Step 4: Remove the roast from the slow cooker and let rest 10 minutes before slicing. Serve slices of sauerbraten with the sweet and sour red cabbage on the side.