German Eisbein: How Berlin-style pork knuckle is prepared

There are traditional dishes that divide opinions. The Berliner Eisbein is one of them. Some say it's too fatty, with too much skin, while others find it wonderfully tender and juicy. What's certain is that anyone who eats a genuine Berliner Eisbein with sauerkraut and potatoes will be guaranteed to be full. But what exactly is an Eisbein, how is it prepared, and why is it called Eisbein? We have clarified these questions for you at a traditional Berlin restaurant and also visited the butcher.

#Eisbein #porkknuckle #Germany

CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:51 The restaurant
01:34 The meat
02:54 Haxe vs. Eisbein
03:30 The cooking process
04:47 The final dish

CREDITS
Report: Jens von Larcher
Camera: Ralph Meiling
Edit: Holger Radeke
Supervising editors: Hendrik Welling/Ruben Kalus

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[GrizzAxxemann]

Pork hocks were a staple growing up as a kid. Pork hocks were cheap as dirt here when I was a kid. But mom did a variation between Eisbein and Schweinhaxe. So it was braised with sauerkraut for hours so all the flavors melded, then mom would pull the hocks out and broil them for a few minutes to render some fat and make the skin crispy. Drippings would go back into the sauerkraut or into some mashed potatoes. We ate it with mustard. Mom & dad drank beer, my sister and I got apple juice.

[nielsenn]

This is my dads favorite dish. He is always telling how he went to Germany once and they were served this and beer on a cold day. I will have to take the trip from Denmark and try it one day 🇩🇪🇩🇰

[cecagna]

After having both, I have to say the Schweinshaxe looks better with the crispy, salty exterior but the Eisbein is the one that tastes better. Although where I had it (Frankfurt), people called it Haspel. The curing makes such a big difference. Tender, delicious meat all the way through.

[petergrandien]

I am Swedish and I cook this meal 4 times a year, 6h in the slow-cooker with mashed potatoes on the side

[peteradaniel]

I lived near Oranienplatz when I lived in Berlin and Max und Moritz was my Sunday hangover cure. I miss it so much. ❤❤❤❤

[MNSTgrowth]

Now that’s literally a “meat and potatoes” meal. Looks delicious 🤤

[paulson]

I always trust a chef who loves eating his own food. He looks like he eats his own food ;)

[JT-yjtr]

My Canadian husband fell in love with Eisbein and German food when we went to visit my home country (Brazil) for the first time many decades ago, so every time we go back, he insists on getting his picanha steaks, açai and going to a German restaurant.

[Garcwyn]

Light, healthy, and full of collagen and protein!

[jbkhan]

Lecker! Also, I haven't seen Sauerkraut cooked that way, but will definitely try it!

[willydihar]

Danke fürs hochladen; Jetzt habe ich Lust auf eine Schweinshaxe 🙂

[papa_pt]

Hey if Schweinshaxe is made correctly it melts in your mouth too! Plus you get the crispy exterior 😍

[dancostello]

More pork recipes please. Don't be shy. Teach us to eat German pork dishes. Grunz, grunz!

[colinmayes]

It looks like a good meal to me, and I would certainly have it. Best wishes to you from England.

[shyamdevadas]

On my many business trips to Germany over many years, the three best things I've eaten have been pork-based and the least sophisticated ones have been the most delectable. At #3 was Raumschnitzel - breaded pork cutlet with mushrooms and sauce. #2 was Schweinehaxe - the roasted pork knuckle. #1 was a rotisserie ham hock (sorry, I don't know the authentic name) that I bought from a vending truck outside a military base. It was so simple, yet so delicious. I can just close my eyes and imagine the rich, fatty, gelatinous goodness of that Eisbein! I wish that Germany was a more affordable place to retire. I'd plan on spending my sunset years there, in a heartbeat.

[Nttmf]

This is simple food at it’s best. I love the preparation of the spices that will infuse into the meat.
I must try this recipe at home. 😋👍

[izenkixiron]

Hmmm, I have this idea of dipping it in fish sauce. Definitely made my mouth water.

[containedhurricane]

It looks mouthwatering and makes me very hungry

[tacit]

It would be great ot know full receipe of this chef saurcraut, it looks delicious!

[adrianamac]

We eat it too in the Philippines 🇵🇭 alot. Deepfried or on a soup 🍜