Sauernacken with bread dumplings

Classic Sunday Roast from the Dutch Oven

Tender pork neck, marinated for two days, slowly braised and served with golden-brown napkin dumplings – that's what a real Sunday family meal tastes like.

Marinating makes the roast especially aromatic and juicy. In a Dutch Oven or braiser, it cooks wonderfully evenly and develops a rich, savory sauce.


Ingredients (approx. 6–8 people)

For the marinated pork neck:

  • 2.5 kg pork neck

  • 6 cloves garlic

  • 6 large onions

  • approx. 600–750 g sour cream

  • 3 tbsp mustard

  • 500 ml vegetable stock

  • 500 ml beef stock

  • Salt

  • Pepper

  • 2 tsp paprika powder (sweet)

  • 1 tsp marjoram or thyme

  • some oil for searing

For the napkin dumplings:

  • 12 ready-to-bake rolls

  • 8 eggs

  • 1 liter milk (lukewarm)

  • Salt

  • some nutmeg

  • 2–3 tbsp butter

  • Breadcrumbs

  • Butter for the mold


Preparation – 2 days in advance

1️. Marinate the meat

  • Slice 3 cloves of garlic.

  • Stud the pork neck with it.

  • Cut onions into thick rings.

  • Place 2/3 of the onions in a large baking dish or braiser.

  • Mix sour cream with mustard, salt, pepper, and paprika powder.

  • Place the meat on top and cover completely with the cream mixture.

  • Distribute the remaining onions and chopped garlic over it.

Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for 48 hours.


On cooking day

2️. Sear the meat

  • Remove the meat from the marinade and pat it dry thoroughly.

  • Reserve the marinade.

  • Sear the neck vigorously on all sides.

Reduce the marinade slightly in a pot.

3️. Braise

  • Place the meat in the Dutch Oven or braiser.

  • Add marinade, vegetable stock, and beef stock.

  • Season with marjoram or thyme.

Braise for approx. 3–3.5 hours at 160–170 °C (indirect heat or oven).
Core temperature: approx. 75–80 °C.

Prepare napkin dumplings

4️. Dumpling mixture

  • Dice the rolls.

  • Toast half in butter until golden brown.

  • Mix with the remaining bread cubes.

Stir in eggs, lukewarm milk, salt, and nutmeg, then gently fold in.
Do not knead too vigorously – the mixture should remain loose.


5️. Bake

Generously butter a loaf pan and sprinkle with breadcrumbs.
Fill with the dumpling mixture.

Bake at 170 °C for approx. 45–50 minutes.
Let rest briefly, then slice.


Serve

If necessary, strain the sauce through a sieve and season to taste.
Slice the roast and serve with the napkin dumplings.


💡 Tip

  • For a more classic taste, you can add bay leaf and allspice to the sauce.
  • Dumplings can also be steamed for a particularly traditional approach.

 

Many thanks to die Rozweiundachtzig for the inspiration and photos!

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