Ground Beef Sauerbraten Goulash

Here's a fast and easy twist on a German classic. Ground Beef Sauerbraten Goulash has all the warm spicy flavor of traditional sauerbraten but it will be on the table in less than 30 minutes!

The idea for this ground beef sauerbraten goulash sat in my head for several months. I'm not sure what took me so long to make (and share) it but trust me when I say... but better late than never.

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Jump to:

• The ingredient list:
• Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
• Why this recipe works:
• How this recipe came to be:
• Can sauerbraten goulash be made in advance and refrigerated?
• How to store the leftovers:
• Can ground beef sauerbraten goulash be frozen?
• How to reheat after freezing:
• How to make sauerbraten goulash with ground beef:
• Can ground turkey be swapped out for the ground beef?
• Additional German inspired recipes:
• Printable Recipe Card

The ingredient list:

• 2 pounds ground beef (I used 80/20 blend)
• red onion, sliced
• shallots, sliced
• Knorr sauerbraten packet
• nutmeg
• allspice
• salt and pepper
• molasses
• beef broth
• gingersnap cookies
• German egg noodles, or your favorite variety of egg noodles
• parsley (optional, as garnish)

Kitchen tools and equipment needed:

• large skillet
• chef's knife
• cutting board
• measuring cups and spoons
• nutmeg grater
• wooden spoon or spatula
• large pasta pot
• colander (optional)

Why this recipe works:

You're going to love this 30-minute hearty and comforting take on traditional German sauerbraten! It only takes a fraction of the time to make, but it's got all that great depth of flavor!

How this recipe came to be:

I've been a long-standing subscriber to German Food Box, which is a monthly subscription box filled with all kinds of delicious and authentic German food products.

It's always a special treat for me when a box is delivered to my door. I know there will be products enclosed that will spur on my creativity and inspire deliciousness.

It's like Christmas morning every time a box is delivered.

Things like German mustards, bread, jams, jellies, candy, cookies, mixes, noodles, holiday treats, honey, tea (just to name a few) are all nestled neatly inside a sturdy woodgrain-like cardboard box.

Enclosed in one of those nifty food boxes was a packet of Knorr sauerbraten mix.

I tucked that packet aside in my kitchen cabinet, knowing that one day I'd make something delicious, but I wasn't quite sure what it might be.

This recipe for German-inspired ground beef sauerbraten goulash served over egg noodles is my brainstorm, and I don't mind telling you it's completely and utterly Wunderbar!

Can sauerbraten goulash be made in advance and refrigerated?

The ground beef and sauce can be made in advance, but I recommend making the egg noodles right before you plan to serve and eat.

If the egg noodles are made in advance and refrigerated there is a very good chance that due to their starch content they'll end up sticking together and be very clumpy to serve and harder to reheat.

How to store the leftovers:

IF you have leftovers, I recommend stirring the egg noodles and ground beef mixture together first before adding it to an air-tight container.

This will prevent the noodles from sticking and clumping instead of layering the noodles and topping with the ground beef sauerbraten mixture.

Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 5-6 days.

Can ground beef sauerbraten goulash be frozen?

Yes, but if freezing make sure to combine the egg noodles and sauerbraten goulash well before freezing to prevent the egg noodles from sticking and clumping when thawed.

How to reheat after freezing:

Thaw completely in the refrigerator and then reheat the goulash on top of the stove adding approximately ½ cup of water or beef stock to the pan while cooking.

How to make sauerbraten goulash with ground beef:

• In a large skillet sauté sliced onions and shallots in olive oil until slightly caramelized.
• Add ground beef and cook, stirring occasionally until browned.
• Stir in the sauerbraten seasoning packet, grated nutmeg, and beef stock.
• Add garlic, molasses, allspice, salt, pepper, and gingersnap cookies. Stir well.
• Cook an additional 3-4 minutes while the cookies breakdown and melt into the sauce.
• Meanwhile, cook the egg noodles in boiling salted water per the package instructions.
• Drain the egg noodles and spoon the ground beef sauerbraten goulash over the noodles and serve with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.

Can ground turkey be swapped out for the ground beef?

I don't see why not.

The only thing I might suggest if making that swap is to add more gingersnaps to the sauce to give it a little extra flavor.

You can also swap out chicken broth for the beef broth (or stock), and then I'd also suggest adding a touch more molasses to give the sauce a slightly heartier flavor.

Additional German inspired recipes:

*German Onion Soup (pictured below)

German Onion Soup has plenty of caramelized onions, beer, bratwurst, and pretzel roll croutons. This delicious and hearty caramelized onion soup with a German flair will soon become a family favorite!

* Red Cabbage Sauerkraut from Yum Vegan Food

* Homemade German Pretzels from West Via Midwest

* Knockwurst Sausage Sandwich (pictured below)

This copycat German knockwurst sandwich is my version of a terrific sausage sandwich I’d had while on vacation in Northern Wisconsin.

*German Potato Salad from Self Proclaimed Foodie

*Oktoberfest Burger from The Snappy Gourmet

*German Bee Sting Cake (pictured below)

German Bee Sting Cake is a yeasted cake with a beautiful texture, fantastic honey flavor (hence the name), a beautifully caramelized almond topping, not to mention a thick, creamy vanilla filling.

*Ground Beef Sauerbraten Goulash (pictured below) THIS IS THE PLACE!!

Printable Recipe Card

I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's easy to make German inspired dinner recipe using ground beef as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!