Svatá Martin's Roast Goose
A traditional Czech dish, particularly popular around Saint Martin's Day (November 11th), featuring a whole roast goose served with red cabbage and bread dumplings. The goose is typically seasoned with caraway and marjoram, resulting in tender, flavorful meat and crispy skin.

🧂 Ingredients
- 1 medium (approx. 3-4 kg) Whole goose
- 2 tbsp Salt
- 1 tsp Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Caraway seeds
- 1 tbsp Dried marjoram
- 4 cloves, minced Garlic
- 1 large, quartered Onion
- 1 cored and quartered Apple
- 500 ml Water or chicken broth
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 160°C (320°F).
💡 Tip: Ensure the oven is fully preheated before placing the goose inside. - 2
Rinse the goose inside and out and pat it dry thoroughly with paper towels.
💡 Tip: Drying the goose well is crucial for achieving crispy skin. - 3
In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, caraway seeds, marjoram, and minced garlic.
💡 Tip: This spice mix will form the primary flavor base for the goose. - 4
Rub the spice mixture all over the goose, both inside and out.
💡 Tip: Be generous with the seasoning to ensure flavor penetrates the meat. - 5
Place the quartered onion and apple inside the goose cavity.
💡 Tip: These aromatics will infuse the meat with subtle flavor as it roasts. - 6
Place the goose in a large roasting pan. Add the water or broth to the bottom of the pan.
💡 Tip: The liquid will help create steam, keeping the goose moist during cooking. - 7
Cover the roasting pan tightly with aluminum foil.
💡 Tip: Foil traps steam, aiding in tenderizing the meat. - 8
Roast for 2 hours.
- 9
Remove the foil, increase oven temperature to 190°C (375°F), and roast for another 1 hour, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 80°C (175°F). Baste the goose with the pan juices every 15-20 minutes.
💡 Tip: Basting helps to keep the skin moist and promotes even browning. - 10
Let the goose rest for 15-20 minutes before carving.
💡 Tip: Resting allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful meat.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Serve with traditional Czech bread dumplings (houskové knedlíky) and braised red cabbage (červené zelí).
- ✓For extra crispy skin, prick the skin all over with a fork before roasting.
- ✓If the goose is browning too quickly, you can loosely tent it with foil.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Stuff the cavity with other aromatics like celery or thyme.
- Add a splash of beer to the roasting pan for added flavor.