Austrian Tafelspitz Recipe

Indulge in the imperial flavors of Austria with this authentic Tafelspitz recipe! This Viennese boiled beef, a national treasure, is simmered to perfection with aromatic root vegetables and spices, creating a rich and comforting broth. Learn the secrets to achieving tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef, just like they served to Emperor Franz Joseph I! Served with crispy roasted potatoes and a vibrant horseradish apple sauce (or creamy horseradish sour cream), this dish is a culinary masterpiece perfect for a special occasion or a cozy night in.

Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 135 mins
Calories 881.1 kcal
Protein 86g
Rating 5.0 (1 Reviews)
Austrian Tafelspitz 70

Recipe Actions

Share this recipe:

Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Austrian Tafelspitz

Cook Smarter with Sous, Your Kitchen Companion

Missing an ingredient for this Austrian Tafelspitz? Need a perfect wine pairing or a healthy side dish idea? Don't guess—ask Sous! Your AI-powered sous-chef is ready to help you swap ingredients, adjust serving sizes, and discover flavor tips in seconds.

How to Make Austrian Tafelspitz

  1. In a large (6-quart) pot, heat 2 quarts of water with 2 tablespoons of salt.
  2. Add a 3-4 pound beef brisket (or other suitable beef cut).
  3. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
  4. Reduce heat to low, and skim off any foam or impurities from the surface until the broth is clear. This may take 10-15 minutes.
  5. Partially cover the pot with a lid, leaving a small gap for steam to escape.
  6. Simmer gently for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
  7. While the beef simmers, prepare the vegetables: Cut 2 leeks into 2-inch pieces, then halve them lengthwise. Roughly chop 1 large onion, 2 carrots (peeled and chopped), and 2 celery stalks (chopped). Peel and chop 4 medium potatoes into 1-inch pieces.
  8. Add the prepared leeks, onion, carrots, celery, and potatoes to the pot with the beef.
  9. Continue to simmer until the beef is fork-tender and the vegetables are cooked through (about 30-45 minutes more).
  10. Carefully remove the beef from the pot and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing it into 1/2-inch thick slices.
  11. For the gherkin garnish: Cut 4-6 small gherkins lengthwise into thin slices, leaving one end uncut. Arrange the slices like a fan.
  12. Garnish the beef slices with the gherkin fans.
  13. Serve the sliced beef with the cooked vegetables arranged on a separate platter. Spoon 4 tablespoons of the flavorful cooking liquid over the vegetables.
  14. Garnish with fresh parsley sprigs. Serve with your choice of horseradish apple sauce or sour cream mixed with horseradish and roasted potatoes (recipe not included).

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

59 g

Sugar

30g

Fat

121g

Carbs

12g