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Creamy German Goulash: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 80 reviews

This creamy German goulash is the ultimate comfort food, featuring tender beef chuck simmered with a flavorful blend of sweet and smoked paprika, garlic, and traditional spices. Enhanced with hearty potatoes, bell peppers, and a rich sour cream sauce, it’s a warming stew perfect for cozy dinners. Serve it over noodles or Spätzle for an authentic and satisfying 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 with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper to enhance flavor and promote browning.
  2. Brown the beef: Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add beef in a single layer without overcrowding. Brown on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side, then remove and set aside. Repeat with remaining beef, adding more oil if necessary.
  3. Sauté onions: In the same pot, add chopped onions and cook over medium heat until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  4. Add spices and garlic: Stir in minced garlic, sweet and smoked paprika, caraway seeds, marjoram, and cayenne pepper if using. Cook, stirring constantly for about 1 minute until fragrant to release the spices’ flavors.
  5. Incorporate tomato paste: Add tomato paste and continue cooking for another minute while stirring to develop a deeper flavor.
  6. Deglaze the pot: Pour in beef broth and red wine (if using), scraping the pot’s bottom to loosen browned bits that add richness to the stew.
  7. Return beef to pot: Add the browned beef cubes back into the pot, mixing with the liquid and spices.
  8. Add tomatoes and peppers: Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juices, along with the chopped red and yellow bell peppers for sweetness and texture.
  9. Simmer the goulash: Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook gently for 2-3 hours until the beef is very tender, adding more broth as needed to keep ingredients submerged.
  10. Add potatoes: After at least 2 hours of simmering, add cubed potatoes. Continue simmering covered for 30-45 minutes until potatoes are soft but not falling apart.
  11. Prepare sour cream mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream and all-purpose flour until smooth to create a thickening agent for the sauce.
  12. Temper sour cream: Take a spoonful of hot goulash liquid and whisk it into the sour cream mixture to prevent curdling when added to the hot stew.
  13. Combine sour cream into goulash: Slowly stir the tempered sour cream mixture into the pot, blending evenly throughout.
  14. Season and finish cooking: Adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Simmer gently for another 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to slightly thicken the sauce without boiling to prevent the sour cream from separating.
  15. Serve: Ladle the creamy goulash into bowls, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve hot with noodles or Spätzle for a traditional experience.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use a good quality dry red wine, but it can be omitted if preferred.
  • Do not boil the stew after adding sour cream to avoid curdling; gentle simmering is key.
  • Adding potatoes later in the cooking process ensures they cook through without becoming mushy.
  • Goulash tastes even better the next day as flavors meld, making it perfect for leftovers.
  • Serve with buttered noodles, Spätzle, or even crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Keywords: Creamy German goulash, beef stew, comfort food, paprika, sour cream, traditional German recipe, hearty stew

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