Austria By Food Enthusiasts · 6 min read

National Dish Austria: Onion Roast Beef with Roast Potatoes (Recipe)

Onion roast beef topped with golden fried onion rings, served with crispy roast potatoes

In this article

Discover Onion Roast Beef with Roast Potatoes, one of Austria’s most cherished main courses! This hearty beef steak is crowned with a golden, fragrant tangle of fried onions that brings warmth and depth to every bite. Paired with crisp, buttery roast potatoes, it is the sort of soul-warming dish that suits both a cosy family supper and a festive gathering. Bring a true taste of the Austrian inn straight to your own table.

About Onion Roast Beef with Roast Potatoes

Onion Roast Beef is more than just a meal; it is an experience steeped in Austrian tradition. At its heart lies a hearty beef steak, refined with a golden-brown crust of fried onions. This way of cooking strikes a perfect balance between tender meat and the savoury aromas that delight any food lover. Teamed with crispy roast potatoes, it becomes a dish that nourishes both body and soul, much like a comforting plate of Tafelspitz shared around the table.

Ingredients (serves 1–2)

2 beef steaks (about 200g each)
2 large onions
4–5 potatoes
Olive oil or clarified butter
Salt and pepper
Beef stock or gravy
Fresh parsley, to garnish

Shopping for the ingredients

When shopping for the ingredients for Onion Roast Beef, it is important to pay attention to the quality of the meat. Fresh, locally sourced beef steak is ideal for drawing out the full flavour. The onions, too, should have a lovely golden colour and a firm texture, since they play such a central role in the frying. Regional potatoes bring the freshness and flavour needed for first-rate roast potatoes.

Preparing the dish

Before you start cooking the Onion Roast Beef, a little preparation goes a long way. Slice the onions into fine rings and cut the potatoes into even pieces so they cook through uniformly. Season the beef steaks with salt and pepper to intensify the aroma. Where possible, let the ingredients rest for a few minutes so the seasoning can work its way in.

Step-by-step instructions

Heat olive oil or clarified butter in a pan and sear the beef steaks on both sides until nicely browned.
Remove the steaks from the pan and let them rest for a few minutes.
Add the onions to the same pan and fry them until golden brown.
Parboil the potatoes in boiling water, then fry them in the pan until crisp.
Serve the steaks with the onions and roast potatoes arranged on a handsome plate.

Gluten-free / lactose-free version

This Onion Roast Beef is easy to make gluten-free and lactose-free. Simply avoid any flour containing gluten and use good-quality olive oil or plant-based fats for the roast potatoes. The beef stock can be made lactose-free too, by reaching for a clear broth with no milk base. When shopping, always check the food labelling to make sure the products meet your requirements.

Tips for vegans and vegetarians

Although Onion Roast Beef is traditionally made with beef, there are delicious alternatives for vegans and vegetarians. One option is to replace the steak with a thick slice of cauliflower or seitan, marinated and cooked with the same seasonings. The stock can be swapped for vegetable stock to create an equally savoury sauce. A topping of fried onion rings adds extra flavour and texture to the finished dish.

More tips and tricks

To make the most of your Onion Roast Beef, you can add a range of herbs and spices. A few sprigs of thyme or rosemary, for example, lend the dish an extra aromatic note. Be sure to bring the steaks up to room temperature before frying for a more even result. Depending on your taste, a splash of red wine in the pan helps build a richer sauce, much as you would for a hearty Saftgulasch.

Adapting the recipe to your taste

The wonderful thing about Onion Roast Beef is its versatility. It is easy to adapt to personal preference, whether in the spice mix or the side dish. Instead of potatoes you might use root vegetables or rice. The onion topping can also be enriched with cheese or special seasonings to give the dish your own personal stamp.

Ingredient substitutions

Should some ingredients prove hard to find, you can get creative and use alternatives. For the onions, for instance, red onions or shallots work well, lending a slightly different, sweeter flavour. If you would rather not eat beef, you could use chicken breast or pork fillet, much like the cut you would choose for a tender Rumpsteak with Potato Purée. These alternatives open up plenty of new flavour possibilities.

Drink pairing ideas

A delicious dish like Onion Roast Beef calls for a fitting drink. A full-bodied red wine, such as a Zweigelt or a Blaufränkisch, pairs beautifully with the savoury flavour of the steak. If you prefer something alcohol-free, a freshly pressed grape juice wonderfully complements the flavours of the dish. A light cider can also make for a refreshing accompaniment.

Serving and presentation ideas

Presentation can do a great deal to enhance the overall enjoyment of a meal. Serve the onion roast beef on a large plate and arrange the roast potatoes artfully in a roll or a little tower alongside. A little fresh parsley and a few onion rings as a garnish provide a lovely contrast of colour. Finish the plate with a touch of gravy to please the eye and the palate in equal measure.

A bit of history

Onion Roast Beef has its roots in Austrian cuisine and counts as a classic prepared in many a household. Originally born of the need to make simple ingredients taste wonderful, the dish has grown over the years into a treasured part of the country’s home cooking. It is often served in cosy inns and enjoys great popularity, especially on cold days. Traditionally it is paired with a hearty beer or a good glass of wine, and remains a favourite at festive occasions and family celebrations, sitting comfortably alongside other pillars of Austrian cuisine such as the famous Wiener Schnitzel.

More recipe ideas

Summary: Onion Roast Beef with Roast Potatoes

Onion Roast Beef is a classic Austrian dish that wins hearts with its combination of tender beef steak and an aromatic onion crust. Together with crispy roast potatoes, it becomes a feast suited equally to special occasions and a cosy evening at home. With small variations and creative side dishes, the recipe can be tailored to individual tastes. Prepared with love and a hint of tradition, onion roast beef brings a piece of Austria to your table.