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Creamy German Goulash: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 148 reviews

Creamy German Goulash is a hearty, comforting stew featuring tender beef chuck simmered slowly with onions, paprika, bell peppers, and tomatoes, enriched with a silky sour cream and flour mixture to create a luscious sauce. This classic dish is perfect for cozy dinners and pairs wonderfully with noodles or Spätzle for an authentic German experience.

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. Season generously with salt and pepper to enhance flavor and promote better 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 all sides for 3-4 minutes per side. Remove browned beef and set aside. Repeat if necessary, adding more oil.
  3. Sauté onions: Add chopped onions to the same pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Add garlic and spices: Stir in minced garlic, sweet paprika, smoked paprika, caraway seeds, marjoram, and optional cayenne pepper. Cook about 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly.
  5. Incorporate tomato paste: Add tomato paste and cook for another minute while stirring constantly to deepen the flavor.
  6. Deglaze the pot: Pour in beef broth and dry red wine if using. Scrape the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits, enriching the stew’s flavor.
  7. Return beef to pot: Add browned beef back to the pot, mixing to combine with the liquid and spices.
  8. Add vegetables: Stir in diced tomatoes with their juice, red bell pepper, and yellow bell pepper.
  9. Simmer the goulash: Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook gently for 2-3 hours until beef is very tender. Check occasionally, adding beef broth if needed to keep beef covered.
  10. Add potatoes: After simmering beef, add cubed potatoes. Cover and continue simmering for 30-45 minutes until potatoes are tender.
  11. Prepare sour cream mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream and all-purpose flour until smooth, to be used as a thickening agent.
  12. Temper sour cream: Slowly whisk a spoonful of hot goulash liquid into the sour cream mixture to prevent curdling.
  13. Incorporate sour cream mixture: Gradually stir the tempered sour cream mixture back into the pot with the goulash, blending thoroughly.
  14. Season to taste: Adjust salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your preference.
  15. Finish simmering: Simmer gently for another 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens slightly. Avoid boiling to keep sour cream smooth.
  16. Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot alongside noodles or Spätzle for a complete traditional meal.

Notes

  • Use dry red wine for authentic depth, but omit if preferred or unavailable.
  • If sour cream curdles, increase tempering liquid amount or stir in slowly over low heat.
  • Slow simmering is essential for tender beef and rich flavors.
  • Can be made a day ahead to let flavors meld; reheat gently before serving.
  • Serve with crusty bread or dumplings if noodles or Spätzle aren’t available.

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

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