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German Roasted Goose Leg And Gravy Recipe

German Roasted Goose Leg And Gravy Recipe

Easiest and best roasted goose leg and gravy recipe ever! Made with just 4 ingredients. Perfect main dish for any special occasion such as birthday, Christmas or mother’s day.

Nicely golden brown German roasted goose leg served on a plate with potato dumplings, rich gravy from the drippings, and blaukraut (red cabbage).

I hardly cook on Sundays. The only time I cook is when expecting guests and that’s about four times a year.

Last Sunday we drove to my parents in law for lunch. I extra told my mum in law not to start cooking lunch until we were there, so that we will cook together. We arrived half an hour late, but Beate waited patiently.

Sunday lunch in Bavaria: Beautifully golden brown German roasted goose legs and gravy served with  potato dumplings, savoy cabbage (Wirsing), and blaukraut.

I just love love love Beate’s roasts with lots of gravy. From roasted duck, goose breasts to roasted pork (Schweinebraten).

This recipe is so easy to follow, tastes outstanding and uses only four ingredients, namely: goose legs, carrots, onions and salt and pepper. I won’t count water as an ingredient.

In Bavaria, Germany this recipe is normally served with potato dumplings or bread dumpling and/or savoy cabbage puree, red cabbage or sauerkraut. It makes a perfect Sunday lunch or dinner or a main dish for any special occasion.

Beautifully golden brown German roasted goose legs on a platter, accompanied by a plate of potato dumplings, a bowl of savoy cabbage (Wirsing), and a bowl of blaukraut.

What you’ll need to make German roasted goose leg and gravy recipe

  • 1/2 liter (2 cups) water plus extra for the gravy
  • 1,8 kg (4 lbs) goose leg (6 legs)
  • 1 medium onion
  • 1 carrot
  • freshly ground pepper and 3 teaspoons fine salt

You’ll also need

  • Baking sheet or roasting pan
  • knife
  • cutting board
  • saucepan

How to make German roasted goose legs (Gänsekeule)

Preheat the oven to 200 °C (392 °F). Next peel and dice onion. Then peel and cut carrot into bite-size pieces.

Cut pockets in the goose legs so that the salt will infiltrate nicely in the meat. Rub the meat with enough salt (we’ve used 2 teaspoons salt) and freshly ground pepper. Put goose legs on the baking pan with the skin side up and pour about 2 cups water into the pan.

Goose legs arranged on a baking sheet before being placed in the oven to cook.

Scatter the vegetables around the legs and roast for 1 hour.

Goose legs on a baking sheet surrounded by small pieces of carrots and onions, ready to be placed in the oven for roasting.
Goose legs and diced carrots and onions on a baking sheet inside the oven, midway through the roasting process.

Turn the legs and roast for another 30 minutes. Reduce the heat to 180 °C (356 °F) after 30 min and roast for another 30 minutes without turning.

Goose legs and diced carrots and onions on a baking sheet inside the oven, midway through the roasting process.
Goose legs and diced carrots and onions on a baking sheet inside the oven, almost through with the roasting process.

Turn the goose legs such that the skin side is facing up and sprinkle the meat once more with the remaining salt.

Goose legs undergoing the grilling process to achieve a wonderfully crispy skin.

Turn the oven to grill setting, increase the temperature to 200 °C (392 °F) and grill for 15 minutes or until the skin is nicely golden brown. Be careful that the meat doesn’t burn.

Goose legs undergoing the grilling process to achieve a wonderfully crispy skin.

Remove the roasted goose legs from the pan and set aside.

German roasted Goose legs, carrots and onions on a baking sheet with beautifully crispy skin after roasting.
Fresh from the oven: Perfectly golden brown German roasted goose legs on a platter.

How to make gravy for roasted goose legs

The drippings that came out of the goose legs while roasting are the foundation to a perfect gravy.

So now pour about ¼ liter (1 cup) water into the roasting pan that you’ve used to roast the legs and mix well, while scrapping up all the brownish staffs from the pan bottom with a spatula.

Pour the brownish-staffs sauce mixture into a saucepan or small pot and bring to a boil.

Take a spoon and skim off most of the fat from the gravy and done.

What to serve with German roast goose 

Roasted goose legs and gravy tastes amazing served with potato dumplings or bread dumpling and/or savoy cabbage puree, sauteed Kohlrabi, red cabbage or sauerkraut.

Nicely golden brown German roasted  goose leg served on a plate with potato dumplings, rich gravy from the drippings, and blaukraut (red cabbage).
Sunday lunch in Bavaria: A photo featuring perfectly golden brown German roasted goose legs on a platter, accompanied by a plate of potato dumplings, a bowl of savoy cabbage (Wirsing), gravy,  and a bowl of blaukraut, all elegantly served on a dining table.

Love this German roast goose recipe? Try my roasted duck and gravy recipe and roast goose breast and gravy recipes

Print Recipe
5 from 3 votes

German Roasted Goose Leg And Gravy Recipe

Learn how to make authentic German roasted goose legs (Gänsekeulen) and gravy. Made with just 4 ingredients and simple methods. Makes a perfect main dish for any special occasions.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time2 hours 15 minutes
Total Time2 hours 35 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: European, German
Keyword: birthday, Christmas, Gänsekeulen, gravy, holiday season, how to, roasted goose, special occasion, Thanksgiving
Servings: 6 Servings
Author: Ester | esterkocht.com

Equipment

  • Baking sheet or roasting pan
  • Cutting board
  • Knife
  • Saucepan or pot

Ingredients

  • 500 ml (17 fl oz/ 2 cups) water plus extra for gravy
  • 1,8 kg (4 lbs) goose legs about (6 legs)
  • 1 medium onion
  • 1 carrot
  • 3 teaspoons fine salt and freshly ground pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 200 °C (392 °F). Next peel and dice onion. Peel and cut carrot into bite-size pieces.
  • Cut pockets in the goose legs so that the salt will infiltrate nicely in the meat. Rub the meat with enough salt (we've used 2 teaspoons salt) and freshly ground pepper.
  • Put goose legs on the baking pan with the skin side up and pour about 2 cups water into the pan. Scatter the vegetables around the legs and roast for 1 hour.
  • Turn the legs and roast for another 30 minutes. Reduce the heat to 180 °C (356 °F) after 30 min and roast for another 30 minutes without turning.
  • Turn the goose legs such that the skin side is facing up and sprinkle the meat once more with the remaining salt. Turn the oven to grill setting, increase the temperature to 200 °C (392 °F) and grill for 15 minutes or until the skin is nicely golden brown. Be careful that the meat doesn't burn. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  • The drippings that came out of the goose legs while roasting are the foundation to a perfect gravy. So now pour about ¼ liter (1 cup) water into the roasting pan that you've used to roast the legs and mix well, while scrapping up all the brownish staffs from the pan bottom with a spatula.
  • Pour the brownish-staffs sauce mixture into a saucepan or small pot and bring to a boil. Take a spoon and skim off most of the fat from the gravy. Season with salt and pepper if necessary and serve.

Did you make this recipe? I’d love to hear from you! Simply write a review and add rating to it.

Recipe Rating




Tony

Saturday 23rd of October 2021

Ester, I made this for my Austrian in-laws and was a HUGE success! I madeit again with just 2 pieces and it was dry..what should the new times be?

Ester

Saturday 27th of November 2021

Hello Tony,

I'm so glad to hear that this dish was a huge success. Such a shame that it didn't turn out well the second time, but I would suggest that you use a smaller roasting pan/ casserole dish, then cover it with aluminum foil and roast the two goose legs at 180 °C (356) for about 60 minutes. Turn the goose legs halfway. Then remove the foil, turn the goose legs such that the skin is up and increase the temperature to 200 °C (392 °F) and roast for about 30 minutes or until the skin is nicely golden brown. Keep a close eye on the leg so that it doesn't burn. I hope this helps. Please let me know once you give it a try once again.

Have a nice weekend!

Kind regards, Ester

Bethany

Monday 22nd of February 2021

Omg I made this today and it was delightfully yummy! Whole family loved it. Thank you so much for sharing such a simple and amazing recipe!

Ester

Tuesday 23rd of February 2021

I'm so glad to hear that, Bethany. Thank you for your kind review! Much appreciated.

Chris

Saturday 26th of December 2020

Ester, I cooked this yesterday and it was quite delicious. It turned out very well and was crispy and juicy. I had mashed potato instead of Kloß and green beans instead of puréed cabbage. And my gravy needs a bit of work, but all-in-all it was excellent.

Ester

Wednesday 30th of December 2020

I'm so glad to hear that, Chris. Thank you for the comment and rating. I'm sure with time your gravy will be perfect. Happy holidays!