---
title: Czech Beef Roll-Ups in Gravy (Španělské ptáčky)
source: https://www.cooklikeczechs.com/beef-roll-ups/
servings: 4
prep time: 20 minutes
cook time: 1 hour 30 minutes
tags: czech, beef
---

Peel and halve @hard-boiled eggs{2}. Cut @soft sausage{1%piece} into thin strips. Cut @dill pickles{2%small} lengthwise into halves or quarters.

Peel @onions{4%medium}. Cut a few wedges for filling the rolls and finely chop the remainder.

Cut part of @bacon{3.5%oz} into strips or pieces for the filling, and dice the remainder for the gravy.

Tenderize @beef round{4%slices} with a #meat mallet{} on both sides. Each slice should be roughly 4×8 inches and no more than 1/4 inch thick.

Season the beef on both sides with @salt{} to taste and @ground black pepper{0.5%tsp}.

Spread one side of each beef slice with some of the @yellow mustard{5%tbsp}.

Place half an egg, some bacon, sausage, an onion wedge, and pickle on the upper half of each beef slice.

Roll each piece of beef tightly around the filling, tucking in the sides as you go. Secure each roll with #kitchen twine{}.

Heat @sunflower oil{2%tbsp} in a #heavy saucepan{} or #Dutch oven{} over medium-high heat.

Brown the beef rolls thoroughly on all sides, then transfer them to a plate.

Add the chopped onions and remaining bacon to the pan. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for about ~{5%minutes}, stirring frequently, until the onions are golden. If the pan becomes too dry, add @water{1%tbsp}.

Sprinkle in @all-purpose flour{1.5%tbsp} and cook, stirring, for ~{1%minute}.

Stir in the remaining mustard.

Pour in @pickle brine{0.333%cup} and @beef broth{4%cups}, stirring well to combine.

Return the beef rolls to the pan and bring the liquid to a boil.

Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for ~{1.5%hours}, or until the beef is fork-tender.

Remove the rolls from the gravy and take off the kitchen twine.

Taste the gravy and adjust with @salt{} and @ground black pepper{} as needed.

Blend the gravy briefly with an #immersion blender{} until smooth.

Return the beef rolls to the gravy and warm them through.