Steirische Krenfleisch
A traditional Styrian dish featuring tender boiled beef served with a creamy, potent horseradish sauce. It's a hearty and flavorful meal often enjoyed on cooler days.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Beef (e.g., Tafelspitz or chuck roast)
- 2 l Water
- 1 large Onion(quartered)
- 1 medium Carrot(peeled and roughly chopped)
- 1 stalk Leek(cleaned and roughly chopped)
- 1 stalk Celery stalk(roughly chopped)
- 1 Bay leaf
- 10 Peppercorns
- to taste Salt
- 150 g Fresh horseradish root(peeled and finely grated)
- 200 g Sour cream
- 2 tbsp Mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 1 tsp Sugar(optional, to balance horseradish)
- to taste Salt and pepper
- for serving Boiled potatoes or bread
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Place the beef in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, then skim off any foam that rises to the surface.
💡 Tip: Skimming ensures a clearer broth and cleaner taste. - 2
Add the quartered onion, carrot, leek, celery, bay leaf, and peppercorns to the pot. Season with salt.
- 3
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer gently for about 2 to 2.5 hours, or until the beef is very tender.
💡 Tip: The beef should be fork-tender but not falling apart. - 4
While the beef is cooking, prepare the horseradish sauce. In a bowl, combine the grated fresh horseradish, sour cream, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice.
- 5
Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and sugar (if using) to taste. The horseradish should be pungent but balanced.
💡 Tip: Taste and adjust seasoning. Add more lemon juice for tang or a pinch more sugar to mellow the horseradish. - 6
Once the beef is tender, remove it from the broth and let it rest for about 10-15 minutes before slicing or shredding.
- 7
Serve the sliced or shredded beef warm, generously topped with the horseradish sauce. Accompany with boiled potatoes or fresh bread.
💡 Tip: You can strain and reserve the cooking broth for other uses, like soups.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Use fresh horseradish root for the best flavor and potency.
- ✓Adjust the amount of horseradish to your personal preference for spiciness.
- ✓The quality of the beef cut significantly impacts the final dish; opt for well-marbled cuts.
🔄 Variations
- Some variations include adding a splash of the beef cooking broth to the horseradish sauce for a smoother consistency.
- A sprinkle of fresh chives or parsley can add a touch of freshness.