Ground Beef Sauerbraten Goulash

This German Ground Beef Sauerbraten with Egg Noodles is a quick and comforting twist on the traditional German favorite. Ground beef, onions, warm spices, molasses, and gingersnap cookies create a rich, sweet-and-sour sauce with plenty of old-world flavor—and it’s ready 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.

The ingredient list for making ground beef sauerbraten goulash:

*Please note that the exact measurements along with a "shop the recipe" feature from Instacart and Walmart is available inside the printable recipe card.

• 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)

What is ground beef sauerbraten?

Ground beef sauerbraten is a quick variation of traditional German sauerbraten.

Instead of marinating and slowly roasting a large cut of beef, this recipe uses ground beef, sauerbraten seasoning, molasses, warm spices, and gingersnap cookies to create similar sweet-and-sour flavor in a fraction of the time.

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 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 (the step-by-step photos):

• In a large sauté pan, cook the 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 used in place of 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.

Recipe Quick Take:

• Perfect for: Weeknight dinners, Oktoberfest menus, and German-inspired comfort food

• Ready in: 25 minutes

• Main ingredients: Ground beef, onions, sauerbraten seasoning, beef broth, molasses, gingersnaps, and egg noodles

• Flavor: Savory, warmly spiced, slightly sweet, and tangy

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.

Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!

All of the recipes you'll find here on my website are in loving memory of my son, Greg, who left this earth far too soon and will be forever in our hearts.