Authentic German Rouladen and Gravy Recipe (2024)

When I was living in Germany, I met a woman named Irmgard Schröder. She was about my grandmother’s age when we met and we got along very well.

Eventually Irmgard became such a good friend, that I considered her my German Oma or German grandmother.

She cooked for my co-worker and I multiple times. She made wonderful German food!! It was divine. I never had anything she made that was not absolutely delicious.

When she served us traditional German meals, she would tell me about them.

One traditional dish she made us on a few occasions was this Authentic German Rouladen and Gravy Recipe. Rouladen is a German meat dish, usually consisting of bacon, onions, mustard and pickles wrapped in thinly sliced beef which is then cooked. It has a wonderful combination of flavors and is just so good!

Irmgard gave me her Authentic German Rouladen and Gravy Recipe.

Most German dinners are served with a side of Rotkohl (red cabbage), homemade sauerkraut, or cooked vegetables.

The combination of meat, starch, vegetable and gravy sauce is crave-worthy!

I love Rouladen served in a traditional style with cooked potatoes or Spätzel, vegetables and a thick gravy on top.

Authentic German Rouladen and Gravy Recipe (1)

Supply List for Authentic German Rouladen and Gravy Recipe

Cutting mat

Large deep skillet

Measuring cups and spoons

Tongs

Knife

Small mixing bowl

Spoon

Kitchen string/twine or toothpicks

Optional—meat pounder or rolling pin

Ingredients for this Authentic German Rouladen and Gravy Recipe

1 1/2-2 pounds flank steak, butterflied/cut in half into about 1/4″ thick slices and pounded or rolled flat

1 (16 ounce or larger) jar of dill pickles, diced or small jar of dill relish

1/2 pound bacon slices

2 1/2 large white or yellow onions, diced (reserve 1/2 Cup for sauté)

2 Tablespoons butter

3 Cups water and 1 cube beef bouillon or 3 Cups beef broth

1 can 10.5 oz beefy mushroom soup (I use Campbells)

1 can 4 oz sliced mushrooms

4-6 Tablespoons all purpose flour

German or regular mustard spread on filets, to taste

Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make this Authentic German Rouladen and Gravy Recipe

    1. Butterfly the flank steak (cut it in half horizontally) into 2 thinner filets; about 1/4 inch thick. I like to pound mine flat with a meat pounder or roll it flat with a rolling pin.
      Authentic German Rouladen and Gravy Recipe (2)
      Authentic German Rouladen and Gravy Recipe (3)
    2. Sprinkle salt and pepper on the top side of each filet.
    3. Spread mustard on the top side of each filet (use as much as desired).
      Authentic German Rouladen and Gravy Recipe (4)
    4. Spread diced dill pickles or dill relish on top side of each filet.
      Authentic German Rouladen and Gravy Recipe (5)
    5. Spread diced onions on top side of each filet—reserving at least 1/2 C diced onion for the gravy.
    6. Place bacon on top side of each filet.
    7. Cut the filet into equal sizes against the grain of the filet.Authentic German Rouladen and Gravy Recipe (6)
    8. Roll up the sections of the filet.Authentic German Rouladen and Gravy Recipe (7)
    9. Tie each roll with kitchen string. If you do not have string, use a toothpick to secure the rolls closed.Authentic German Rouladen and Gravy Recipe (8)
    10. Heat skillet over medium heat and melt butter. Add 1 can of sliced mushrooms (not drained) and remaining onions. Place the Rouladen in the skillet and sauté until browned.
    11. In a separate bowl, stir 3 Cups beef broth or 3 Cups water and 1 cube of beef bouillon with 1 can of beefy mushroom soup.Authentic German Rouladen and Gravy Recipe (9)
    12. Pour water/soup mixture in the skillet with the beef rolls on medium heat. Simmer Rouladen rolls for about 45 minutes or until cooked medium.
    13. Remove meat and set it to the side. Keep Rouladen warm.
    14. Add 4T flour to simmering drippings while in pan; stir until desired consistency is reached—this makes an awesome gravy. If it is not thick enough, gradually add 1/2 Tablespoon of flour at a time until desired consistency is reached.
    15. Remove string or toothpicks. Serve Rouladen warm with warm gravy on top. For presentation, add a little cut up fresh parsley.

Authentic German Rouladen and Gravy Recipe (10)

This Rouladen is delicious paired with starch and vegetable. For the most authentic experience, pair it with Spätzle or cooked potatoes and Rotkohl or cooked veggies.

For drink, serve Apfelshorle, which is equal parts Apple juice with club soda/carbonated water in a glass (at room temperature).

Another few tips for consuming this meal in an authentic German manner…

The overwhelming majority of Germans like to mix everything together on their dinner plates before eating. They like to taste all of the flavors at the same time.

I highly recommend eating in a similar manner if you make this Authentic German Rouladen and Gravy Recipe and choose to pair it with other traditional German sides.

To be even more authentic, eat this meal holding the knife in your right hand and the fork in the left—this is the German way to hold cutlery.

This is about as traditional a German experience you can have outside of Deutschland itself…

Authentic German Rouladen and Gravy Recipe (11)

Authentic German Rouladen and Gravy Recipe (12)

Authentic German Rouladen and Gravy Recipe

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

An authentic German beef roll filled with delicious flavors and simmered in a skillet. Once cooked, the simmering drippings are easily turned into a delicious gravy to serve on top of the Rouladen.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2-2 pounds flank steak, butterflied/cut in half into about 1/4" thick slices and pounded or rolled flat
  • 1 (16 ounce or larger) jar of dill pickles, diced or small jar of dill relish
  • 1/2 pound bacon slices
  • 2 1/2 large white or yellow onions, diced (reserve 1/2 Cup for sauté)
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 3 Cups water and 1 cube beef bouillon or 3 Cups beef broth
  • 1 can 10.5 oz beefy mushroom soup (Campbells)
  • 1 can 4 oz sliced mushrooms
  • 4-6 Tablespoons all purpose flour, for desired consistency
  • German or regular mustard spread on filets, to taste
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

    1. Butterfly the flank steak (cut it in half horizontally) into 2 thinner filets; about 1/4 inch thick. I like to pound mine flat with a meat pounder or roll it flat with a rolling pin.
    2. Sprinkle salt and pepper on top side of each filet.
    3. Spread mustard on the top side of each filet (use as much as desired).
    4. Spread diced dill pickles or dill relish on top side of each filet.
    5. Spread diced onions on top side of each filet—reserving at least 1/2 C diced onion for the gravy.
    6. Place bacon on top side of each filet.
    7. Cut the filet into equal sizes against the grain of the filet.
    8. Roll up the filet sections.
    9. Tie each roll with kitchen string. If you do not have string, use a toothpick to secure the rolls closed.
    10. Heat skillet over medium heat and melt butter. Add can of sliced mushrooms and the remainder of onions. Place the Rouladen in the skillet and sauté until browned.
    11. In a separate bowl, stir 3 Cups beef broth or 3 Cups water and 1 cube of beef bouillon with 1 can of beefy mushroom soup.
    12. Pour water/soup mixture in the skillet with the beef rolls on medium heat. Simmer Rouladen rolls for about 45 minutes.
    13. Remove meat and set it to the side (best kept warm).
    14. Add 4T flour to simmering drippings while in pan; stir until desired consistency is reached—this makes an awesome gravy. If it is not thick enough, gradually add 1/2 Tablespoon of flour at a time until until desired consistency is reached.
    15. Remove string or toothpicks. Serve Rouladen warm with warm gravy on top.

Notes

This Rouladen is delicious paired with a starch and vegetable. For the most authentic experience, pair it with Spätzle or cooked potatoes and Rotkohl or cooked veggies.

For drink, serve Apfelshorle, which is equal parts Apple juice with club soda/carbonated water in a glass (at room temperature).

Another few tips for consuming this meal in an authentic German manner...

The overwhelming majority of Germans like to mix everything together on their dinner plates before eating. They like to taste all of the flavors at the same time.

I highly recommend eating in a similar manner if you make this Authentic German Rouladen and Gravy Recipe and choose to pair it with other traditional German sides.

To be even more authentic, eat this meal holding the knife in your right hand and the fork in the left—this is the German way to hold cutlery.

This is about as traditional a German experience you can have outside of Deutschland itself.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Guten Appetit!

Authentic German Rouladen and Gravy Recipe (13)
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Authentic German Rouladen and Gravy Recipe (14)

Authentic German Rouladen and Gravy Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best cut of meat for rouladen? ›

Beef for Rouladen: Use top round roast (sometimes called topside or beef round roast) beef for Rouladen, and more importantly, ask your butcher to cut it for you! You want long thin slices about ¼ inches thick and 6-10 inches long and 4-5 inches wide. Mustard: I've found really great German Mustard at Wold Market.

What does rouladen taste like? ›

Traditionally, Rouladen are made from beef, with the filling consisting of bacon, onions, and pickles. Braised for a long time with vegetables they literally swim in a flavorful, rich gravy.

What nationality is Rouladen? ›

Rouladen is one of Germany's most famous and delicious dishes! Rouladen are thinly sliced lean beef pieces filled with bacon, onions, mustard and pickles, then held together with toothpicks and browned and simmered in a fantastic gravy.

Can you freeze German Rouladen? ›

To freeze: Take the cooled rouladen and liquid and place into freezer safe container(s) covered with the cooking liquid. Thaw, then warm through as described above, and then make the gravy. Or if the gravy is already made, then cover the cooled rouladen with the gravy and freeze.

Do you use top or bottom round for rouladen? ›

Top round is perfect for this. It's not the toughest piece of meat, but it has some collagen that will enrich our sauce and lend tenderness to the finished meat roll. You can often find top round thinly sliced and sometimes sold as “beef roulade meat,” but if not, ask your butcher to slice it for you, about 1/8″ thick.

What is the most popular German meat? ›

Total per capita pork consumption in Germany amounted to 27.5 kilograms in 2023. Pork was the most consumed type of meat in the country, followed by poultry, then beef and veal.

What is an interesting fact about rouladen? ›

Rouladen is the German version of the French roulade, which is a roll made with thinly-sliced meat. The German version is interesting in that it probably came from Germans using items they had on hand most of the time – mustard, pickles, onion, and pork – to make something that's unique in its own right.

What does Rouladen mean in German? ›

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Rouladen is classic German food, with thin slices of beef, rolled up with mustard, onion, bacon and pickle. (Rouladen is based on the word Roulade, meaning “rolled”.)

What is Rouladen called in English? ›

A roulade (/ruːˈlɑːd/) is a dish of filled rolled meat or pastry. Roulade can be savory or sweet. Swiss roll is an example of a sweet roulade. Traditionally found in various European cuisines, the term roulade originates from the French word rouler, meaning "to roll".

What part of the cow is Rouladen? ›

The meat for rouladen is cut from the upper part of the hind legs of the cow, or Oberschale .

What part of Germany is Rouladen from? ›

Region: all over Germany, apparently French origins.

As so often in German cooking, Rouladen are a simple dish. Combined with sides like dumplings and cabbage they make up a true Germany classic. The traditional German Rouladen dish uses a thin and long cut of beef or veal.

What is another name for a roulade? ›

A Swiss roll, jelly roll (United States), roll cake, cream roll, roulade or Swiss log is a type of rolled sponge cake filled with whipped cream, jam, icing, or any type of filling.

What wine goes with Rouladen? ›

A California Zinfandel would be a good match for Beef Rouladen. Zinfandel is known for its bold, fruit-forward character, often with notes of blackberry, plum, and cherry.

How do you cut a roast for Rouladen? ›

Open the roast up like a book and cut one side to 'unroll' the roast to be about ¾-inch thick piece of meat. Do the same with the other side so that you end up with a rectangular piece of meat that is about 3/4 inch thick. Using a meat mallet (tenderizer), pound the roast to about 1/2-inch thickness.

What kind of meat is Rouladen made from? ›

Rouladen is a popular, super flavorful German recipe made from beef steak stuffed with mustard, pickles, onion, and bacon! Using either your oven, crock pot, or cooktop, it's simmered in reduced wine and broth for roughly 90 minutes.

Which cuts of meat are the most tender? ›

Tenderloin steak and top blade steaks ranked first and second. Top round steak ranked last. Roasts were more tender than steak counterparts.

Which cuts of beef are the most tender? ›

The most tender of all cuts of beef, tenderloin steaks are lean and known for their delicate, butter-like texture and thick cut. These mouthwatering steaks are so tender they can be “cut with a butter knife.” Tenderloin steaks are commonly known as filets or filet mignon.

What cut of beef is best for velveting? ›

Because the velveting process is great for tenderizing tough cuts of meat, it works really well on beef cuts like sirloin and flank steak. The cornstarch (or baking soda) and oil mixture used to marinate the meat helps the meat retain moisture while cooking for a more tender, juicy steak.

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