Authentic German Goulash Soup Recipe
This Authentic German Goulash Soup Recipe is a hearty, slow-simmered dish with tender beef, rich paprika-infused broth, and warming spices. Perfect for cold nights, this soup pairs beautifully with crusty bread and sour cream. A true comfort food classic!
6 Servings
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 2 pounds beef sirloin cubed into bite-sized pieces
- 2 medium onions sliced into thin lengths
- 4-5 large cloves garlic minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 ½ tablespoons sweet paprika not hot paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon caraway seeds crushed
- ½ teaspoon ground marjoram
- ⅛ teaspoon hot paprika or cayenne pepper adjust to taste
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup red wine
- 5 cups beef stock plus additional, if needed
- 2-3 teaspoons Maggi seasoning or Worcestershire sauce taste before adding all
- 4 medium carrots peeled and sliced into bite-sized rounds
- Gnocchi 2.5 ounces per person (see Notes for alternative options)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme chopped
- Fresh parsley or thyme for garnish optional
- Sour cream for serving
Instructions
Sear the Beef
- Heat the canola oil in a 5-quart Dutch oven or a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
- Pat the cubed beef dry with a paper towel before adding it to the pot. Sear the beef on all sides for approximately 2 to 3 minutes per side, ensuring a golden-brown crust.
- If excess liquid forms during searing, use a spoon to remove it and set it aside. This will allow the beef to achieve a proper sear rather than steaming.
- While searing, season the beef with ½ teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of black pepper to begin building flavor.
Build the Flavor Base
- Add the sliced onions to the pot and sauté for approximately 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until they begin to soften. If the onions begin to scorch, reduce the heat slightly.
- Stir in the minced garlic, bay leaves, sweet paprika, dried thyme, crushed caraway seeds, marjoram, and hot paprika or cayenne pepper. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes, allowing the spices to become fragrant.
Thicken and Deglaze
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of flour evenly over the mixture and stir well to coat all ingredients. Allow it to cook for one minute to remove any raw flour taste.
- Add the tomato paste, stirring thoroughly to distribute it evenly.
- Pour in the red wine and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Allow it to simmer for 2 minutes until the alcohol has cooked off.
Simmer the Soup
- Pour in the beef stock along with Maggi seasoning or Worcestershire sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil before reducing the heat to a simmer.
- Cover the pot and allow the soup to simmer for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Add the carrot slices to the pot, partially cover, and continue simmering for an additional 30 to 40 minutes. If additional stock is needed, add it at this stage, ensuring it is warmed through before incorporating it.
Final Seasoning and Gnocchi Preparation
- Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt, black pepper, or Maggi/Worcestershire sauce, if desired.
- If serving the entire batch immediately, add 2.5 ounces of gnocchi per person to the simmering soup during the final 5 minutes of cooking.
- Stir in the chopped fresh thyme, mixing thoroughly.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or thyme, if desired.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve the soup hot with a dollop of sour cream on top for extra creaminess.
- Accompany with crusty bread, rye bread, soft pretzels, or rolls to soak up the flavorful broth.
Notes
To prepare a gluten-free version of this Authentic German Goulash Soup Recipe, follow these substitutions:
- Use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour to thicken the soup.
- Ensure your beef stock and Maggi seasoning (or Worcestershire sauce) are gluten-free. Some brands contain gluten-based additives, so check labels carefully.
- Replace traditional gnocchi with gluten-free gnocchi or omit them altogether and serve the soup with gluten-free bread or boiled potatoes.