Indulge me for a moment as I try to take you on a food adventure as tasty and delicious as if you were receiving a hug from Grandma Joyce herself. Easy Beef Rouladen are the tender thin pieces of beef rolled around savory filling of bacon, onion and pickles and deliciously simmered in a creamy gravy. Not just a recipe but a tradition, a story, and a taste of home.
Grandma Joyce’s Beef Rouladen is what you imagine of family cooking; hardy, delicious, comforting and most importantly easy to make. The beauty of this recipe is that it is very simple with basic ingredients, you just have to put in the love. And just like Grandma Joyce’s savory dishes, Beef Rouladen can meet any special occasion, or just comfort food cravings.
What makes this dish special? It’s the balance of texture and flavor. The beef is tender and juicy, the filling is smoky and tangy, and gravy has an additional layer of deep, savory richness. It is over-the-top yet totally approachable. It’s equally at home on weeknights or for holiday dinners.
And, it’s versatile. We are following Grandma Joyce’s family recipe. But there are so many ways to adapt it. The filling and ingredients can be swapped out or you may choose to even try different cooking methods for the dish. It can be a way to express your culture, creativity, or just cook with what you have available.
So, tie on your apron, roll up your sleeves, and let’s get started on the magic that is Beef Rouladen. I assure you, after you make it, you will know why it is a family favorite!
Why This Easy Grandma Joyce’s Beef Rouladen
This recipe is a no-fail recipe if you want to impress someone with minimal effort. Here are a few reasons why you should give it a try :
- Authentic Flavor : The unique combination of bacon, onions, and pickles create a filling that is smoky, sweet, and tangy–all at the same time.
- Soft beef : The thinly sliced beef rolled up makes a beautiful presentation and the long cooking process renders the meat almost-melt-in-your-mouth tender.
- Rich Gravy : The cooking process produces a rich, thick gravy that is perfect for drizzling over mashed potatoes or noodles.
- Family Friendly : It is a recipe that appeals to both kids and adults, so everyone in the family will enjoy it.
- Easy to make : You really can’t mess this recipe up, despite how foreign it may look, it is super easy and doesn’t require a lot of experience in the kitchen.
The Background of the Recipe
This is a special recipe for me. When I made it for my husband for the first time, he is a self-proclaimed “meat and potatoes” guy, and I wanted to give him something different to try. While the smells of bacon and beef wafted through the kitchen, he could not help but take a peek over my shoulder.
When he took his first bite, he could not hang on to his excitement. “Wow, this is amazing,” he said heading back for seconds. Since that day, Beef Rouladen has been a staple in our house. It is our Sunday dinner of choice for cozy evenings, and it has even made an appearance at both family and friends gatherings where it was a big hit!
Why This Easy Grandma Joyce’s Beef Rouladen
This recipe is a no-brainer for impressing anyone with zero effort! Here’s why you should give this a try :
- The Flavors : The combination of bacon, onions and pickles in the filling is smoky, sweet and sour all in one bite!
- Tender Beef : Thin beef slices roll up and after slow cooking, it’s melt in your mouth tender!
- Gravy : The gravy from the cooking process is wicked and just perfect for spooning over mashed potatoes or noodles!
- Family Friendly : This is a hit with both children and adults alike. You can’t go wrong with this dish!
- Easy : Easy to make! Although it may look gourmet, this is a really simple recipe and great for beginners.
Tips For Easy Grandma Joyce’s Beef Rouladen
- Use Thin Cooked Beef : Thin cuts of beef like top round or flank steak is best, ask you butcher or deli to slice for you!
- Don’t Skimp on Browning : Browning the beef is so important in terms of adding flavor to your dish.
- The Low & Slow Process : The only way to make beef rouladen, is to slowly simmer the rolled beef. This allows the beef to become tender, and meld the flavors.
Substitutions and Variations
- Vegetarian : Try using large portobello mushrooms instead of beef.
- Different fillings : Instead of pickles, you could use roasted red peppers, or add a sprinkle of cheese.
- Different cooking method : If you wanted convenience, try cooking the rouladen in a slow cooker.
Making it Healthier
- Use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon.
- Use low sodium beef broth.
- Use cauliflower mash instead of mashed potatoes.
Closing For easy Grandma Joyce’s Beef Rouladen
That’s it! We would love to hear how yours turned out. You can also take a look at some of our other Recipes and let us know if you have any questions:Are you curious about anything else? Below are some of the more commonly asked questions we get about this recipe:
Easy Beef Rouladen
Description
Tender beef slices filled with mustard, bacon, onions, and pickles, rolled up and simmered in a rich beef broth until perfectly tender. This German classic, Beef Rouladen, is a flavorful and comforting dish that is sure to impress your guests.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Start by laying out the beef slices and spreading a thin layer of Dijon mustard on each one. Next, place a slice of bacon, a sprinkle of chopped onions, and a pickle spear on each slice. Roll them up tightly and secure with toothpicks.
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Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the rouladen on all sides, then remove them from the skillet. In the same skillet, add the remaining onions and cook until softened. Stir in the tomato paste and paprika, then pour in the beef broth.
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Return the rouladen to the skillet, cover, and simmer for about 1.5 hours, or until the beef is tender. Serve with the rich gravy and your favorite sides.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 6
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 746.63kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 66.03g102%
- Saturated Fat 16.8g85%
- Cholesterol 60.92mg21%
- Sodium 4234.79mg177%
- Potassium 1019.32mg30%
- Total Carbohydrate 22.37g8%
- Dietary Fiber 7.11g29%
- Sugars 10.57g
- Protein 19.23g39%
- Vitamin A 1760.94 IU
- Vitamin C 17.23 mg
- Calcium 214.58 mg
- Iron 3.06 mg
- Vitamin D 0.36 mcg
- Vitamin E 4.33 mg
- Vitamin K 98.09 mcg
- Thiamin 0.5 mg
- Riboflavin 0.37 mg
- Niacin 6.85 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.59 mg
- Folate 51.78 mcg
- Vitamin B12 0.69 mcg
- Pantothenic Acid 0.98 mg
- Phosphorus 289.7 mg
- Magnesium 69.93 mg
- Zinc 2.06 mg
- Selenium 31.69 mcg
- Copper 0.24 mg
- Manganese 0.5 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
