German Goulash Recipe- A Love Letter From the Kitchen (2024)

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Goulash frequently showed up on my childhood dinner table. Why not? My mom’s recipe tasted delicious, and the meal fills everyone up without argument. Fun added bonus… when things were “tight”, the meal could be stretched ….. more sauce, some added veggies, and less meat. Served over everyone’s favorite homemade Spätzle, Goulash was a crowd pleaser. I can hear it now, “Goulash isn’t German, it’s Hungarian”. Well, I’m sure that at one point the concept of cooking pieces of meat in a sauce flavored with paprika floated west from Hungary to Germany… but that time was very long ago, and now you’ll find Goulash with all of its variations (Wild, Pork, and even Würstchen!) on restaurant menus and dinner tables across Germany.

German Goulash Recipe- A Love Letter From the Kitchen (1)

Now, I realize that like Potato Salad, there isn’t one “official” German Goulash Recipe. Regional differences, personal preferences from the cooks, even availability of ingredients means that what my mom makes might be different from what your Oma makes. But the beauty of a dish like this, is that it’s open to interpretation and variation. Don’t like carrot? Leave them out. Want it “spicey”? Add a dash of Cayenne pepper (it’s delicious, trust me). I’ve even seen a Silesian version made with Sauerkraut (intriguing). I started using Ghee (an Indian clarified butter) for browning the meat, instead of oil, because I like the flavor it imparts. (Don’t panic, oil is just fine.) Use this recipe as a starting place, then experiment, if you like.

German Goulash Recipe- A Love Letter From the Kitchen (2)

German Goulash Recipe

A delicious way to warm hearts and fill stomachs.

German Goulash Recipe- A Love Letter From the Kitchen (3)

German Goulash Recipe

This rich and tasty German Goulash is made with chunks of tender beef in a delicious sauce flavored with paprika. Serve with Spätzle, Klöße, or even mashed potatoes.

5 from 3 votes

Cook Time 2 hours hrs

Course Main Course

Cuisine German

Servings 4

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch Oven or Soup Pot

Ingredients

  • 3 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil or Ghee I love the rich flavor Ghee imparts
  • 1 1/2 lbs Lean Rump Roast
  • 1 Yellow Onion diced
  • 2 clove Garlic chopped
  • 1 Carrot cut to 1 inch chunks
  • 3 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
  • 3/4 cup Red Wine
  • 3 Tablespoons Sweet Paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Marjoram
  • 1 3/4 cups Beef Stock
  • Salt to taste I used 1/2 teaspoon

Instructions

  • Slice the beef into 1 inch chunks. It's best to start by cutting with the grain, then go to across. I find the outcome is better this way. (And yes, you can purchase stew meat... leaner is better)

  • Heat 2 tablespoons oil (or Ghee) in a Dutch oven or heavy bottomed soup pot over high heat. Add half of the beef chunks to brown. Don't crowd it. You want the beef to just brown, not cook. Remove the pieces to a bowl and set aside, then brown the other half. When done add to beef in bowl. Reduce heat to medium.

  • Add remaining oil or Ghee to pot. Add onions and garlic, stir to scrape up any bits in the pot. Cook 3-4 minutes to soften. Add carrot pieces if using. Add tomato paste, stir and cook for another minute.

  • Add red wine, stir, scraping up any cooked bits from the bottom of the pot. Keep the heat on medium, and stir occasionally until the wine has reduced by half.

  • Add the beef, paprika, marjoram, and beef stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Put the lid on the pot, and let it cook for 1 1/2 hours. Stir occasionally.

  • Take the lid off of the pot, and let the Goulash simmer for another 30 minutes to reduce. Taste for seasoning, and add salt if needed. It should thicken a bit as it reduces. If you want it thicker, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a few tablespoons of water, and add to the pot. Stir. It will thicken right up.

  • Serve over Spätzle, Klöße, or even mashed or boiled potatoes..

Notes

Carrots may not be traditional in all families. My mother always added carrot to the Goulash, both to add flavor, and also to "stretch" the meal a bit further. You can leave them out without affecting the flavor.

The recipe says 4 portions, but these aren't MASSIVE portions. Feel free to multiply the ingredients to fill/feed your family properly.

Goulash always tastes great hot off the stove, and is extra tasty as leftovers. You can also freeze it.

Keyword Goulash

Learn how to make Spätzle here… Spaetzle Recipe

Stretch Goulash Flavor Even Farther… Make Goulash SOUP

Like this Recipe? Find more in my Easy German Cookbook

80 Traditional German recipes made simple for the American Kitchen

German Goulash Recipe- A Love Letter From the Kitchen (6)Easy German Cookbook: 80 Classic Recipes Made SimpleGerman Goulash Recipe- A Love Letter From the Kitchen (7)Easy German Cookbook SIGNEDGermanGirl Shop

Make this German Goulash Recipe

German Goulash Recipe- A Love Letter From the Kitchen (9)

Cut the lean beef into cubes… go with and across the grain.

German Goulash Recipe- A Love Letter From the Kitchen (10)

Brown the meat… don’t COOK it, just brown it

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Soften the onion and garlic, then add the carrot (if using)

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After wine reduced, add beef, paprika and marjoram

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Add beef stock, bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer… put a lid on it and walk away for a bit.
Stir occasionally

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For last 30 minutes, remove the lid so that the liquid reduces

Taste for seasoning, add salt if needed

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You will end up with rich thick sauce
(If you find it isn’t reducing quickly enough, help it along with a cornstarch slurry)

German Goulash Recipe- A Love Letter From the Kitchen (16)

German Goulash Recipe- A Love Letter From the Kitchen (17)

German Goulash Recipe- A Love Letter From the Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

What is German goulash made of? ›

This German Goulash is what the Swabians in Germany call “Hungarian Goulash”. Ha! A juicy and tender beef stew made with paprika, peppers, and a red wine sauce. Originally goulash (gulyás) is from Hungary but over the centuries this traditional stew obviously traveled into different cuisines, including German cuisine.

What is a German stew called? ›

Pfefferpotthast (Low German: Piäpperpottharst) is a traditional German stew. It comes from the cuisine of Westphalia.

What does "goulash" mean? ›

gou·​lash ˈgü-ˌläsh. -ˌlash. : a stew made with meat (as beef), vegetables, and paprika. Etymology. from Hungarian gulyás, short for gulyáshús, literally, "herdsman's meat"

How long is goulash good in the fridge? ›

Like with many other beef stews, goulash will keep in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Can I freeze it? Yes, but – again – skip adding the root vegetables and add them after you thaw and reheat the goulash.

What is original goulash made of? ›

The classic “kettle goulash” is prepared by frying cubes of beef or mutton with onions in lard. Garlic, caraway seeds, tomatoes, green peppers, and potatoes complete the stew. Székely gulyás, another Hungarian specialty, is a stew of pork and sauerkraut flavoured with tomatoes, onions, caraway seeds, and sour cream.

What is Germany's national food? ›

Sauerbraten (pronounced [ˈzaʊ̯ɐˌbʁaːtn̩]) is a traditional German roast of heavily marinated meat. It is regarded as a national dish of Germany, and is frequently served in German-style restaurants internationally.

What is beef called in Germany? ›

Beef
GermanPronunciationEnglish Translation
das Rindfleischdahs rynd-fly-shbeef
das Rindsteakdahs rynd-stakesteak
der Rinderbratendehr rynd-ehr-brah-tenroast beef
der Hamburgerdehr haham-buhr-gurbeef burger

What is goulash called in America? ›

American goulash, sometimes called slumgullion, American Chop Suey, or even Beef-a-Roni, is an American comfort-food dish popular in the Midwest and South. Besides the name, there is no real connection to Hungarian goulash in terms of the flavor or ingredients.

What is the difference between goulash and goulash? ›

There are two kinds of goulash: Hungarian goulash, which calls for the slow-simmered beef to be served alongside egg noodles, and American goulash, which pulls in ground beef and cooks the noodles in the pot alongside the sauce.

Is there another name for goulash? ›

American goulash, sometimes called slumgullion, is an American comfort food dish, similar to American chop suey. American goulash is usually referred to in the midwestern and southern United States as simply "goulash".

Does goulash taste better the next day? ›

This Goulash recipe tastes even better the next day, so feel free to make it in its entirety and reheat when ready to serve. Alternatively, you can prep some of the ingredients in advance: Carrots: chop the carrots and place them in an airtight container days in advance.

Is it OK to freeze goulash? ›

Yes! This One Pot American Goulash recipe is very freezer-friendly. Just make sure to cool the goulash completely in the refrigerator first, then transfer to the freezer for long term storage. I suggest freezing goulash for three months maximum.

What to serve with goulash? ›

The best side dishes to serve with American Goulash are crispy green beans, country gravy, mashed sweet potatoes, butternut squash, watermelon cucumber salad, caramelized carrots, Tabasco sauce, corn salsa, grilled asparagus, cornbread, roasted Brussels sprouts, cucumber salad, garlic bread, biscuits, and macaroni ...

What is the difference between American and European goulash? ›

American goulash is a one-pot dish of ground beef, pasta (often elbow macaroni), tomatoes and cheese. Sometimes it includes paprika, like its Hungarian counterpart. Since American goulash calls for ground beef, it cooks much faster than Hungarian goulash which relies on low-and-slow cooking to render the beef tender.

Is goulash Russian or German? ›

Originating in Hungary, goulash is a common meal predominantly eaten in Central Europe but also in other parts of Europe. It is one of the national dishes of Hungary and a symbol of the country. Its origin may be traced back as far as the 10th century, to stews eaten by Hungarian shepherds.

What is the difference between Hungarian goulash and regular goulash? ›

Hungarian Goulash is a thick meat and vegetable stew with a broth that's heavily seasoned with paprika, while American Goulash is a quick dish made from ground beef, tomato sauce, herbs, and elbow macaroni noodles. It also goes by the name of American Chop Suey.

What is Austrian goulash made of? ›

Austrian goulash is traditionally made with beef. Tomato paste and sweet ground paprika are then added for better color. The typical taste of the dish is completed by goulash seasoning, which consists of dried marjoram, crushed caraway, and grated lemon zest.

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