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Creamy German Goulash: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 84 reviews

This Creamy German Goulash recipe offers a rich and comforting meal featuring tender beef chuck simmered with onions, bell peppers, potatoes, and a blend of traditional spices. Enhanced with sour cream for a creamy texture, this classic dish is perfect served over noodles or Spätzle, making it the ultimate comfort food for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Beef and Vegetables

  • 2 lbs Beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 large Onions, chopped
  • 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)
  • 4 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp Tomato paste
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Liquids and Fats

  • 2 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 cup Beef broth
  • 1 cup Dry red wine (optional, but recommended)
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can Diced tomatoes, undrained

Finishing Ingredients

  • 1 cup Sour cream
  • 2 tbsp All-purpose flour
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Serving

  • Noodles or Spätzle, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Browning the Beef: Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Brown the beef in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot, about 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned. Remove and set aside.
  2. Building the Flavor Base: In the same pot, add chopped onions and sauté over medium heat until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic, sweet paprika, smoked paprika, caraway seeds, marjoram, and cayenne pepper if using, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste and cook for an additional minute to caramelize it.
  3. Simmering the Goulash: Deglaze the pot by pouring in beef broth and red wine, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Return the browned beef to the pot, then add diced tomatoes with their juice, red and yellow bell peppers. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2-3 hours until the beef is very tender. Add more broth if needed to keep ingredients covered.
  4. Adding Potatoes: After simmering for at least 2 hours, add peeled and cubed potatoes. Continue simmering, covered, for another 30-45 minutes until potatoes are tender.
  5. Finishing Touches: In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream and flour to prevent curdling. Temper the sour cream by gradually whisking in a spoonful of hot goulash liquid. Slowly stir the tempered sour cream mixture into the pot. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Simmer gently for another 5-10 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Avoid boiling after adding sour cream.
  6. Serving: Serve the creamy goulash hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley. Traditionally paired with noodles or Spätzle, or enjoy it with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Notes

  • Patting the beef dry before browning is essential to achieve a good sear and prevent steaming.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan when browning the beef to ensure proper caramelization.
  • Using both sweet and smoked paprika adds depth and complexity to the dish.
  • Simmer the goulash low and slow to tenderize the beef and meld flavors deeply.
  • Tempering the sour cream prevents it from curdling when added to the hot stew.
  • Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to control the level of heat in the dish.
  • Serve with traditional German sides like Spätzle or noodles for an authentic experience.

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

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