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Creamy German Goulash: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 56 reviews

This Creamy German Goulash is the ultimate comfort food, featuring tender beef chuck simmered slowly in a rich, flavorful sauce made with sweet and smoked paprika, garlic, tomatoes, and a touch of sour cream for creaminess. Perfectly complemented by potatoes and traditional noodles or Spätzle, this hearty dish brings the authentic taste of German home cooking to your table.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

  • 2 lbs Beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 large Onions, chopped
  • 4 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 Red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped
  • 1 Yellow bell pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped
  • 1 lb Potatoes, peeled and cubed

Spices and Seasonings

  • 2 tbsp Olive oil
  • 2 tbsp Sweet paprika
  • 1 tbsp Smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp Caraway seeds
  • 1/2 tsp Marjoram
  • 1/4 tsp Cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 tbsp Tomato paste
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Liquids and Others

  • 1 cup Beef broth
  • 1 cup Dry red wine (optional, but recommended)
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can Diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 cup Sour cream
  • 2 tbsp All-purpose flour
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
  • Noodles or Spätzle, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Season the beef: Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor and help create a good crust during browning.
  2. Brown the beef: Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add beef cubes in a single layer and brown all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the browned beef and set aside. Repeat if necessary to brown all meat, adding more oil if needed.
  3. Sauté onions: Add chopped onions to the pot and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, approximately 5-7 minutes, which builds the base flavor.
  4. Add spices and garlic: Stir in minced garlic, sweet paprika, smoked paprika, caraway seeds, marjoram, and optional cayenne pepper. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly to release the spices’ aromas.
  5. Incorporate tomato paste: Add tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute to deepen its flavor and reduce acidity.
  6. Add liquids: Pour in beef broth and dry red wine (if using). Scrape the bottom of the pot to deglaze and capture all browned bits, infusing the sauce with rich flavor.
  7. Return beef to pot: Add the browned beef back into the pot to continue cooking in the flavorful liquid.
  8. Add vegetables: Stir in diced tomatoes with their juice, red bell pepper, and yellow bell pepper for added texture and freshness.
  9. Simmer beef: Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let simmer gently for 2-3 hours until the beef is very tender, adding more beef broth if needed to maintain liquid.
  10. Add potatoes: After 2 hours of simmering, add cubed potatoes. Continue simmering covered for 30-45 minutes, until the potatoes are tender but not falling apart.
  11. Prepare sour cream mixture: In a small bowl, whisk sour cream and all-purpose flour together until smooth to thicken the sauce.
  12. Temper the sour cream: Take a spoonful of hot goulash liquid and whisk it into the sour cream mixture to prevent curdling when added to the pot.
  13. Combine sour cream with goulash: Slowly stir the tempered sour cream mixture into the pot, ensuring even distribution and creamy texture.
  14. Season to taste: Add salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your preference to balance and enhance the flavors.
  15. Final simmer: Simmer gently for another 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to thicken the sauce slightly. Avoid boiling to prevent sour cream from curdling.
  16. Serve: Serve the creamy German goulash hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley. Traditionally accompanied by noodles or Spätzle for an authentic experience.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use dry red wine, but you can omit it if preferred.
  • Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to control spiciness or leave it out for a milder dish.
  • Use a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven for even heat distribution and to prevent burning during long simmering.
  • Adding flour to the sour cream helps prevent curdling and thickens the sauce.
  • Do not boil the stew after adding sour cream to maintain its creamy texture.
  • Serve with traditional German noodles or Spätzle to complete the meal.

Keywords: Creamy German Goulash, Beef Goulash, Comfort Food, German Cuisine, Paprika Beef Stew, Spätzle, Hearty Stew

Find it online: https://annakocht.com/creamy-german-goulash-the-ultimate-comfort-food-recipe/