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Rouladen

Mouthwatering Rouladen: A Hearty German Comfort Food Delight

Savor the delightful flavors of rouladen, a traditional German comfort food featuring tender beef rolls stuffed with bacon and pickles.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 6 rolls
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: German
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Beef Rolls
  • 2 pounds Top Round Beef Steak Ask your butcher to slice to ¼ inch thickness for easier rolling.
  • to taste teaspoon Kosher Salt
  • to taste teaspoon Black Pepper Freshly ground is preferred.
  • 1 tablespoon Yellow German Mustard Dijon can be a substitute.
For the Filling
  • 6 slices Bacon Thick-cut adds richness.
  • 4 pieces Dill Pickles Adjust thickness based on their size.
  • 1 medium Yellow Onion Chopped for stuffing and gravy.
For the Gravy
  • 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter For browning beef and enriching the gravy.
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil Can be replaced with vegetable oil.
  • 1 medium Carrot Diced for depth of flavor.
  • 1 stalk Celery Diced for depth of flavor.
  • 3 cloves Garlic Minced for fragrant gravy.
  • 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce Opt for low-sodium if needed.
  • 2 cups Low-Sodium Beef Broth Homemade works great too.
  • 1 tablespoon Tomato Paste Can swap with ketchup if necessary.
For Thickening
  • 2 tablespoons Cornstarch Used to thicken the gravy.
  • 2 tablespoons Water Needed for making a slurry.
  • 2 tablespoons Chilled Unsalted Butter For a glossy finish.
For Garnishing
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley Optional for color and freshness.

Equipment

  • Dutch Oven
  • Knife
  • Whisk
  • Toothpicks

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Rouladen
  1. Begin by gently pounding the top round beef steak slices to ¼ inch thick, seasoning with kosher salt and black pepper.
  2. Spread yellow German mustard across each beef slice, leaving a small border.
  3. Assemble the rolls by placing bacon, dill pickles, and onions at one end, rolling tightly and securing with toothpicks.
  4. In a Dutch oven, melt butter and heat olive oil; brown the rouladen on all sides.
  5. Sauté onion, carrot, celery, and garlic in the same pot until fragrant.
  6. Stir in soy sauce, beef broth, and tomato paste, simmering for about 5 minutes.
  7. Return the rouladen to the pot, cover, and simmer on low heat for 1.5 to 2 hours.
  8. After cooking, strain the broth and return it to the heat.
  9. Whisk together cornstarch and water, stirring into the simmering broth to thicken.
  10. Stir in chilled butter for a glossy finish, return rouladen to pot to absorb gravy.
  11. Garnish with parsley and serve hot alongside creamy mashed potatoes or spaetzle.

Nutrition

Serving: 1rollCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 25gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Rouladen can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and stored un-cooked in the refrigerator or freezer. For an extra flavor boost, consider adding sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers to the filling.

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