Sauerbraten
Marinated Beef Pot Roast with Keto Sides (No Dumplings, No Sweet Red Cabbage)
Yes, with a tweak: request no potato dumplings or any other carb-heavy sides. About 12g net carbs per serving, on the higher side for German food, so watch the portion.
What it is
A traditional German pot roast, made from beef (often top round) marinated for several days in a mixture of wine vinegar, spices, and vegetables, then slow-cooked until exceptionally tender. It is typically served with potato dumplings and sweetened red cabbage, both of which must be avoided for a keto diet.
Key ingredients
Beef roast, red wine vinegar, red wine, onions, carrots, celery, bay leaves, juniper berries, cloves, peppercorns, salt, pepper. (Keto side: steamed green beans or broccoli).
How to make it keto
Request no potato dumplings or any other carb-heavy sides. It's vital to ask for no red cabbage (Rotkohl) as it is almost always heavily sweetened. Opt for green vegetables (e.g., green beans, broccoli, or spinach) or a simple side salad with oil and vinegar instead. Confirm the gravy is not flour-thickened and has no added sugar.
Say this to the waiter (German)
Bitte keine Knödel und keinen Rotkohl. Ich hätte stattdessen gerne grünes Gemüse oder einen einfachen Beilagensalat. Ist die Soße mehl- und zuckerfrei?
No dumplings or red cabbage, please. I'd prefer green vegetables or a simple side salad. Is the gravy flour and sugar-free?
Watch out for
The gravy is almost always thickened with flour and often contains sugar. Red cabbage is typically very high in added sugar. The marinade can sometimes contain sugar, but often relies on natural vegetable sugars.
Macros are estimates for a typical serving and vary by restaurant. Confirm ingredients with staff, especially if you have allergies. Our ingredient lists are generated automatically and describe how a dish is typically made.
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