Description
Authentic German Goulash is a comforting and hearty stew featuring tender beef simmered in a savory sauce enriched with sweet and smoked paprika, garlic, onions, and traditional spices. Perfect for any occasion, this rich and flavorful dish captures the essence of German home cooking, delivering a warm, satisfying meal that adapts easily to your preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Coating
- 1.5 lbs beef chuck, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Aromatics and Flavorings
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
- 2 bay leaves
Liquids and Cooking Fats
- 3 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons butter or oil (for sautéing)
Seasonings
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef: Cut the beef chuck into even, bite-sized cubes. Season the flour with salt and pepper, then lightly coat each piece of beef with the seasoned flour to help develop a caramelized crust and thicken the sauce later.
- Brown the Meat: Heat butter or oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes in batches to avoid overcrowding, ensuring each piece develops a deep, flavorful crust. Once browned, remove the beef from the pot and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Using the same pot, cook the thinly sliced onions over medium heat until golden and sweet, about 8-10 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add Spices and Tomato Paste: Sprinkle in the sweet and smoked paprika and toast it for about one minute to release its oils and deepen the flavor. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 2-3 minutes to combine and enrich the sauce.
- Simmer with Broth: Return the browned beef to the pot along with the beef broth, bay leaves, and caraway seeds. Bring everything to a gentle simmer, then cover and cook on low heat for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened beautifully.
- Season and Serve: Remove and discard the bay leaves. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Let the goulash rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
Notes
- Brown in batches: Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure a proper sear and flavor development.
- Slow simmer: Cooking low and slow breaks down collagen for tender beef.
- Use fresh paprika: For authentic flavor, always choose fresh, high-quality paprika powders.
- Flour coating: It thickens the sauce and forms a silky texture.
- Rest before serving: Helps enhance flavor harmony and sauce thickness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop simmering
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: German goulash, beef stew, paprika stew, traditional German recipe, hearty stew
