Description
Authentic German Goulash is a rich, hearty stew made with tender chunks of beef slow-simmered in a paprika-infused sauce. Deeply savory, comforting, and perfect for chilly nights, this traditional German dish delivers bold flavor in every spoonful — a one-pot meal the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons oil (vegetable or sunflower)
- 2 pounds (900g) beef chuck or stew meat, cut into 1½-inch cubes
- 2 large onions, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram or thyme
- 1 tablespoon flour (optional, for thickening)
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add beef cubes in batches and sear until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, add the chopped onions and cook for 8–10 minutes until golden and soft. Add garlic and stir for 1 more minute.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to develop flavor. Add paprika (sweet and smoked), salt, pepper, and caraway seeds. Mix well.
- Return the browned beef to the pot. Pour in the beef broth and water, scraping the bottom to release any brown bits. Add bay leaf and marjoram.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of flour with 2 tablespoons of water, stir it into the goulash, and simmer uncovered for another 10 minutes.
- Taste for seasoning and adjust salt or pepper as needed. Remove bay leaf before serving.
Notes
- Use high-quality sweet paprika for authentic, deep flavor.
- For tender beef, use well-marbled chuck and cook low and slow.
- Don’t rush browning; it adds rich caramelized flavor.
- Tastes even better after resting overnight.
- Refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.
- Pair with spaetzle, mashed potatoes, or rustic bread.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Main Course, Comfort Food, Stew
- Method: Simmered, One-Pot
- Cuisine: German, European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 110mg