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Creamy German Goulash: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 84 reviews

Creamy German Goulash is a hearty, comforting stew made with tender beef chuck, sweet and smoked paprika, aromatic spices, and a creamy sour cream finish. Slow-simmered to perfection with bell peppers, tomatoes, and potatoes, this dish delivers rich flavors and a luscious texture, perfect for cozy dinners. Serve with noodles or Spätzle for an authentic German experience.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat

  • 2 lbs Beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 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 & 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 & 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

Garnish & Serving

  • 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 even browning.
  2. Brown the beef: In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef in a single layer without overcrowding. Brown on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside. Repeat with remaining beef, adding more oil as needed.
  3. Sauté onions: Add the chopped onions to the pot and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes, which builds depth in the stew.
  4. Add spices and garlic: Stir in minced garlic, sweet paprika, smoked paprika, caraway seeds, marjoram, and cayenne pepper if using. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly until fragrant.
  5. Incorporate tomato paste: Add tomato paste and cook another minute, stirring constantly to develop a rich base flavor.
  6. Add liquids: Pour in beef broth and red wine if using. Scrape the bottom of the pot to loosen browned bits for extra flavor.
  7. Return beef to pot: Place browned beef back into the pot with the liquid and spices.
  8. Add vegetables: Add diced tomatoes with their juice, red bell pepper, and yellow bell pepper to the pot, stirring to combine.
  9. Simmer: Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for at least 2-3 hours until beef is very tender. Check occasionally and add more beef broth if necessary to keep ingredients submerged.
  10. Add potatoes: After 2 hours of simmering, add cubed potatoes. Continue to simmer, covered, 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 prevent curdling when added to hot stew.
  12. Temper sour cream: Take a spoonful of hot goulash liquid and whisk it into the sour cream mixture gradually to temper and stabilize it.
  13. Combine mixture: Slowly stir the sour cream mixture into the goulash, blending thoroughly.
  14. Season and thicken: Season the goulash with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Simmer for another 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly. Ensure not to boil after adding sour cream to avoid curdling.
  15. Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot. Traditionally accompanied by noodles or Spätzle for a complete meal.

Notes

  • The optional red wine adds depth of flavor but can be omitted for a milder taste.
  • Do not boil the goulash after adding sour cream to prevent curdling.
  • Adjust seasoning at the end to your taste preference.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free thickener.
  • Using a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven ensures even cooking and prevents sticking.

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

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