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Hungarian Goulash Recipe

Name: Hungarian Goulash Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 95 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons vegetable oil ((or use 2 tablespoons pork lard)); 2 pounds stew beef (cut into 1/2 inch cubes (bite-sized pieces)); Salt and pepper to taste; 1 large yellow onion (chopped); ¼ cup Hungarian paprika (or more to taste); 2 bell peppers (chopped (can use green, red, yellow, or orange)); 4 cloves garlic (chopped); 2 medium tomatoes (diced); 3 cups beef broth (or use water for more traditional - can use up to 5 cups for soupier goulash); 2 bay leaves; 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds; 3 large potatoes (chopped (peeled, if desired - other root vegetables are good too, such as parsnip, celery root, or rutabaga)); 2 large carrots (scrubbed and chopped)

by Mike Hultquist · Sep 8, 2023 · 41 Comments · Jump to Recipe

Hungarian Goulash is the ultimate beef soup (or stew) from Hungary that's loaded with tender beef and vegetables in a warming paprika spiced broth, so comforting and easy to make!

Hungarian Goulash in a bowl with a spoon

Hungarian Goulash Recipe

We're cooking up a big pot of comfort food in the Chili Pepper Madness kitchen, my friends. Pull up a chair! I have a bowl for you right here.

This recipe is very much a hearty beef stew or soup from Hungary filled with lots of flavorful vegetables, and seasoned with one of my very favorite spices in the world - Hungarian paprika.

The dish is called Hungarian Goulash, and I know you're going to love it. Everyone does.

What is Hungarian Goulash?

Authentic Hungarian goulash, known as "gulyás" in Hungary, is an old world dish considered the forebear of all stews. It is known to have been prepared by 9th century shepherds over their fires for a hearty meal.

You'll find many versions of this dish, with variations in meats, vegetables, spices, and cooking techniques, each depending on the region and the cook. With a dish this old, you can imagine it has evolved in different ways.

While I was in Budapest, Hungary, I enjoyed goulash as often as I could.

Traditional Hungarian goulash was a simple soup-like stew of meat cooked in a pot with paprika, thickened by the collagen of the meat in the slow cooking process.

Today, it is more of a soup with meat and root vegetables simmered in stock and seasoned with paprika. There are different ways to make it, with recipes varying from cook to cook.

This is how I like to make mine. It's my favorite way to make it, though you can eventually make your own as you please.

Let's talk about how to make Hungarian Goulash Soup, shall we?

Hungarian Goulash Ingredients

Vegetable Oil. Pork lard is a more traditional ingredient, but vegetable oil or olive oil is great. Bacon also works nicely for new world cooks.
Onion. Will add a base layer of flavor.
Stew Beef. Shank is a fantastic cut for this recipe. You can also use lamb, pork, or veal.
Hungarian Paprika. There are several types of Hungarian Paprika, and you can use your favorite to taste, or a combination. I enjoy hot and smoked. Use sweet paprika for a milder version.
Other Seasonings. Salt and pepper, to taste. Caraway seeds are a popular addition, which I love.
Additional Vegetables. Red bell peppers, garlic, tomatoes, potatoes, and carrots.
Beef Broth. You can also use water, which is more traditional. The amount will vary, depending on your preferred thickness of the dish. Use less for more of a stew, and more for a soup.
Bay Leaves. If desired.

How to Make Hungarian Goulash - the Recipe Method

Heat the Oil. Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven to medium high heat. (If using bacon, cook it down for 3 minutes to render the fat).

Sear the Beef. Season the chopped stew beef with salt and pepper. Add the beef to the pot and brown the meat on each side, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.

(NOTE: Browning this way isn’t necessarily traditional, but it works for so many other recipes and I love the way it develops extra flavor).

Cook the Onions. Add the onion and cook 5-6 minutes to soften.

Browning Meat and cooking onion in a pot to make Hungarian Goulash

Add the Paprika. Reduce the heat (or pull the pot away from the burner) and stir in the paprika. Stir it off heat for 1 minute to let the paprika bloom.

Removing it from the heat will avoid burning the paprika, which turns it bitter.

The First Simmer. Return the pot to medium heat and add the reserved beef, bell peppers, garlic, tomatoes, beef broth (or water), and bay leaves (and caraway seeds, if using).

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Simmer for 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally. The liquid should reduce a bit.

Add the Potatoes and Carrots. Add the potatoes and carrots. Add more water or beef stock for a soupier goulash (1-2 cups, as desired). Cover and simmer another 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the meat is done to your liking.

Adjust for salt and pepper, and serve.

Boom! Done! Your Hungarian goulash is ready to serve. Easy enough to make, isn't it? It's mostly simmering and waiting. The smells of it cooking will drive you crazy with anticipation!

Recipe Tips & Notes

Some new world Hungarian goulash recipes are thickened with a roux, which you can do if you'd like. However, the collagen from the meats in the slow cooking process, along with the starchy potatoes, work as good thickeners for this recipe.
To thicken the goulash, mix a couple tablespoons of flour in 1/4 cup water to form a slurry. Stir the slurry into the stew and heat until thickened.
Swirl sour cream into your finished dish for a creamier version of the recipe. This is not traditional, but delicious.
For a slow cooker version, follow the recipe through step 3 (searing the seasoned meat), then toss everything into the slow cooker or crock pot. Cook on low for 7-8 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours. Enjoy!

Serving Hungarian Goulash

You can serve Hungarian goulash on it's own as a soup or a stew, often with rye bread to sop up all those flavorful juices.

I see it often served over prepared egg noodles, or with sauerkraut.

Grab yourself a glass of red wine!

Storage

Leftover Hungarian goulash will last up to 5 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. You can easily warm it in a small pot to enjoy again.

You can also freeze it for 2-3 months. I always save my leftovers.

That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoy my recipe for Hungarian goulash. Let me know if you make it. I'd love to hear how it turned out for you, and if you decided to spice it up!

Cookbook Recommendation

If you enjoy Hungarian cuisine, I recommend the following cookbook, which I used to adapt this recipe. It has a lot of great recipes.

The Hungarian Cookbook, by Yolanda Nagy Fintor (affiliate link, my friends!)

Try Some of My Other Popular Recipes

Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.

Hungarian Goulash Recipe

Hungarian Goulash is the ultimate beef soup (or stew) from Hungary that's loaded with tender beef and vegetables in a warming paprika spiced broth, so comforting and easy to make!

Save Recipe

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Hungarian

Keyword: beef roast, bell peppers, paprika, stew

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 1 35

Calories: 233kcal

Author: Mike Hultquist

Servings:

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5 from 11 votes

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Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or use 2 tablespoons pork lard)
2 pounds stew beef cut into 1/2 inch cubes (bite-sized pieces)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 large yellow onion chopped
¼ cup Hungarian paprika or more to taste
2 bell peppers chopped (can use green, red, yellow, or orange)
4 cloves garlic chopped
2 medium tomatoes diced
3 cups beef broth or use water for more traditional - can use up to 5 cups for soupier goulash
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds
3 large potatoes chopped (peeled, if desired - other root vegetables are good too, such as parsnip, celery root, or rutabaga)
2 large carrots scrubbed and chopped

Instructions

Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven to medium heat. (If using bacon, cook it down for 3 minutes to render the fat).
Season the chopped stew beef with salt and pepper. Add to the pot and brown the meat on each side, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside. (NOTE: Browning this way isn’t necessarily traditional, but it works for so many other recipes and I love the way it seals in the juices of the meat, prepping it for low and slow cooking).
Add the onion and cook 5-6 minutes to soften.
Reduce the heat (or pull the pot away from the burner) and stir in the paprika. Stir it off heat for 1 minute to let the paprika bloom. Removing it from the heat will avoid burning the paprika, which turns it bitter.
Return the pot to medium heat and add the reserved beef, bell peppers, garlic, tomatoes, beef broth (or water), and bay leaves (and caraway seeds, if using). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Simmer for 1.5 hours. The liquid should reduce a bit.
Add the potatoes and carrots. Add more water or beef stock for a soupier goulash (1-2 cups, as desired). Cover and simmer another 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the meat is done to your liking.
Adjust for salt and pepper, and serve.

Video

Nutrition Information

Calories: 233kcal Carbohydrates: 8g Protein: 28g Fat: 10g Saturated Fat: 3g Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g Monounsaturated Fat: 4g Cholesterol: 70mg Sodium: 415mg Potassium: 725mg Fiber: 3g Sugar: 4g Vitamin A: 5400IU Vitamin C: 45mg Calcium: 52mg Iron: 4mg

Did You Enjoy This Recipe?I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.

NOTE: This recipe was updated on 9/8/23 to include new information, photos, and video. It was originally published on 10/10/22.

Hungarian Goulash Recipe

Hungarian Goulash Recipe

What is Hungarian Goulash?

Hungarian Goulash Ingredients

How to Make Hungarian Goulash - the Recipe Method

Recipe Tips & Notes

Serving Hungarian Goulash

Storage

Cookbook Recommendation

Try Some of My Other Popular Recipes