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Creamy German Goulash: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe

Creamy German Goulash: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe
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★★★★★

5 from 28 reviews

Creamy German Goulash is a rich and hearty comfort food featuring tender beef chunks simmered in a flavorful sauce made with sweet and smoked paprika, garlic, tomatoes, and bell peppers, finished with a creamy sour cream and flour mixture. Perfectly paired with noodles or Spätzle, this dish offers an authentic taste of traditional German cuisine, making it an ultimate soul-warming meal.

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

Liquids and Others

  • 2 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 tbsp Tomato paste
  • 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. Prepare the beef: Pat the beef cubes dry using paper towels to encourage browning. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the meat’s flavor.
  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, avoiding overcrowding, and brown evenly on all sides for about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove browned beef and set aside. Repeat with any remaining beef, adding more oil if necessary.
  3. Sauté onions: Reduce heat to medium and add chopped onions to the pot. Cook them while stirring occasionally until soft and translucent, approximately 5-7 minutes, which builds the flavor base for the goulash.
  4. Add spices and garlic: Stir in minced garlic, sweet paprika, smoked paprika, caraway seeds, marjoram, and optional cayenne pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the mixture releases its aroma.
  5. Incorporate tomato paste: Add tomato paste and cook for another minute, stirring continually to meld the flavors and intensify the sauce’s richness.
  6. Deglaze the pot: Pour in beef broth and dry red wine, if using, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits for deeper flavor complexity.
  7. Return beef to pot: Add the browned beef back into the pot, ensuring it’s submerged in liquid for even cooking.
  8. Add tomatoes and peppers: Stir in diced tomatoes with their juice, red bell pepper, and yellow bell pepper to contribute sweetness and texture.
  9. Simmer the goulash: Bring mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 2-3 hours or until beef is tender. Check occasionally, adding broth if necessary to keep the beef covered.
  10. Add potatoes: After at least 2 hours, add cubed potatoes. Cover and continue to simmer for 30-45 minutes more, or until potatoes are tender but not falling apart.
  11. Prepare sour cream mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream and all-purpose flour until smooth, which will thicken the sauce.
  12. Temper the sour cream: Slowly whisk a spoonful of hot goulash liquid into the sour cream mixture to prevent curdling when added to the pot.
  13. Finish the sauce: Gradually stir the tempered sour cream mixture back into the goulash, blending it thoroughly to create a creamy texture.
  14. Season to taste: Adjust salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed to balance flavors perfectly.
  15. Final simmer: Simmer for another 5-10 minutes, stirring gently, until the sauce thickens slightly. Avoid boiling after sour cream addition to keep it smooth.

Notes

  • If dry red wine is not available or preferred, substitute with additional beef broth or use non-alcoholic red wine.
  • For a spicier goulash, increase the cayenne pepper or add a pinch of chili flakes.
  • Serve over traditional German noodles like Spätzle or wide egg noodles for an authentic experience.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld.
  • Adjust thickness by controlling the flour addition or simmering time after adding the sour cream.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free thickener.

Nutrition

Keywords: German goulash, creamy goulash, comfort food, beef stew, paprika beef stew, traditional German recipe

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