Recipes→Hungary→Hungarian Goulash

Hungarian Goulash

Name: Hungarian Goulash
Prep time: PT30 minutes
Cook time: PT2 hours 30 minutes
Total time: PT3 hours
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Hungary
Ingredients: 1 kg Beef chuck (Cut into 1.5-inch cubes); 4 large Large yellow onions (Finely chopped); 3 tbsp Lard or vegetable oil; 4 tbsp Sweet Hungarian paprika (High quality is essential. Do not substitute with smoked paprika.); 1 tsp Ground caraway seeds; 3 medium Ripe tomatoes (Diced. Or 1 can (400g) diced tomatoes, undrained.); 2 medium Bell peppers (Any color, seeded and diced); 1 L Beef stock (Low sodium preferred); 4 medium Potatoes (Peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes); to taste undefined Salt; to taste undefined Black pepper

Hungary's iconic national stew, featuring tender beef and sweet onions slow-cooked with generous amounts of sweet paprika, creating a rich, deeply flavored, and soul-warming red stew.

Prep30 minutes

Cook2 hours 30 minutes

Total3 hours

Serves8

LevelMedium

Original· 10d ago

Make Your Version

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1
Heat the lard or oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add the chopped onions and cook very slowly, stirring occasionally, until they are deeply golden brown and caramelized, about 30-40 minutes. This slow caramelization is key to the goulash's flavor. Once caramelized, remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the Hungarian paprika and caraway seeds. Stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant, ensuring the paprika doesn't burn.
⏱️ 30-40 minutes
2
Return the pot to medium heat. Add the cubed beef to the pot and sear on all sides until lightly browned. Stir in the diced tomatoes and bell peppers. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
⏱️ 10 minutes
3
Pour in the beef stock, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and let the goulash simmer gently for at least 2 hours, or until the beef is very tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 2 hours
4
Add the cubed potatoes to the pot. Stir to combine. Continue to simmer, covered, for another 30-45 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and the stew has thickened slightly. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
⏱️ 30-45 minutes
5
Serve hot. Goulash is traditionally served with a dollop of sour cream or plain yogurt, and often accompanied by crusty bread or egg noodles.
⏱️ 5 minutes

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💡 Pro Tips

✓Using high-quality Hungarian sweet paprika is crucial for authentic flavor and color. Avoid smoked paprika, which will change the taste profile.
✓Caramelizing the onions slowly and deeply is essential for building the base flavor of the goulash. Don't rush this step.
✓Adding paprika off the heat prevents it from burning, which can make it bitter.
✓Goulash flavors deepen overnight, making it an excellent dish to prepare a day in advance. Reheat gently before serving.
✓For a richer flavor, you can brown the beef cubes in batches before adding them to the onions.

✨ Twist Ideas

Inspiration for your own version of this recipe

Gulyásleves: A thinner, soupier version of goulash, often with fewer potatoes and more liquid, served as a first course.
Székely gulyás: A variation that includes sauerkraut and sour cream, offering a tangy counterpoint to the rich stew.
Marhapörkölt: A similar Hungarian stew, but typically thicker and without potatoes or bell peppers, focusing more intensely on the meat and onion base.