Rouladen Recipe
Traditional German Rouladen featuring thinly pounded round steak rolled with sautéed onions, crispy bacon, and tangy dill pickles, then simmered in a rich beef stock until tender. This comforting dish is perfect for a hearty family meal.
- Author: nova
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: German
Beef Rolls
- 1.5 lb thinly sliced round steak (8 slices)
- 3/4 cup finely diced onion
- 8 slices cooked bacon
- 8 dill pickle spears
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Cooking and Sauce
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 cup beef stock
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1/2 cup water
- Pound the Steak: Using a meat mallet, pound the round steak slices to about 1/8-inch thickness to tenderize the meat and prepare it for rolling.
- Sauté Onions: Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat and add the finely diced onions. Cook until translucent but not browned, then remove the onions from the skillet and set aside.
- Assemble Rouladen: Evenly distribute the sautéed onions over each pounded steak slice. Place one slice of cooked bacon on top of the onions, then add a dill pickle spear. Roll up each steak slice tightly and secure with a toothpick to keep the filling inside during cooking.
- Brown the Rolls: In the same skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Brown the rouladen on all sides until nicely seared, which locks in flavors and adds color.
- Simmer the Rouladen: Add beef stock to the skillet with the browned rolls and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and let simmer for 45 minutes or until the beef is tender and cooked through.
- Prepare Thickening Mixture: In a small bowl, mix flour and water thoroughly to create a smooth slurry without lumps. This will be used to thicken the sauce.
- Make the Sauce: Remove the meat rolls from the skillet. Whisk the flour and water mixture into the simmering beef stock in the skillet, cooking and stirring for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Finish and Serve: Return the beef rolls to the skillet with the thickened sauce and heat through for another 5 minutes. Remove toothpicks before serving and enjoy your classic Rouladen.
Notes
- For best results, use thinly sliced round steak; if unavailable, flank steak or top round can be used.
- Ensure the skillet is hot when browning to develop a good crust on the rouladen.
- Keep an eye on the sauce while thickening to prevent lumps and ensure smooth texture.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, red cabbage, or spaetzle.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the skillet with sauce.
Keywords: Rouladen, German beef rolls, stuffed beef rolls, classic German recipe, beef roulade