Crock Pot Sauerbraten

Roxi's Note:

Looking for something to serve for Oktoberfest? NOTE: Plan ahead because this needs to marinate for 3 days. This is surprisingly easy to make. Assembling the marinade takes very little time and the actual cooking is done in a crock pot, leaving you free to enjoy your day however you wish. The important thing is not to skimp on the marinating time.

• Total Time: 7 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 7 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 1 1/4 cups water
• 1 cup cider vinegar
• 1 onion, coarsely chopped
• 1 lemon, cut in 8 wedges
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon peppercorn
• 1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
• 1 (4 -4 1/2 lb) lean top round roast
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 12 gingersnaps, crushed
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tablespoon flour

Directions:

1. Combine the first 8 ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Cool.
2. Place beef in a glass 9 x 13" baking dish. Pour cooled marinade over beef. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in refrigerator for 3 days, turning twice daily.
3. Remove meat and place in a 7-8 quart slow cooker. Strain marinade and pour over beef. Cook on low for 6-7 hours, or until beef starts to fall apart on the edges.
4. Remove beef to a platter and slice 1/4" thick. Set aside.
5. Strain liquid and return to crock pot, turn to high. Add the brown sugar and gingersnaps, stirring until dissolved. Mix the flour into the 1/4 cup water. Stir into the liquid and heat and stir for 5 minutes. Return the beef to the gravy. Cover and cook on high for 30 minutes more or until the gravy is thickened. Serve with hot noodles or Spaetzle.

Reviews

[Joanncook]

I just prepared this for an Octoberfest party a a cusine group . It was amazingly simple and quite good BUT I had to make a few adjustment to the gravy. The original receipe left the gravy quite sour. I changre the # of gingersnapsfrom 12 to 20 and the sugar to 1/3c vs. 1/4. The result was NOT SWEET but less sour with enough sweetness that the 17 women at the part asked for the recipe!

[Chazzzz]

Excellent , Simple to make, old world flavors. Serve with noodles or Potatoe Dumplings and Braised Red Cabbage for an authentic German Dinner. Chazzzz

[Donut Chef]

Very good interesting international dish with quite different tastes than the usual standard American cooking! The flavors were intense and delicious. Served with hot butter noodles. I gave it three stars since the children wouldn't eat it (didn't like the smell or taste) and the leftovers have been ignored, even for a nice sandwich! Definitely a four star grown-up meal, but a three star family meal.