Best Goulash Recipe Hungarian

This Hungarian Goulash joins the ranks of my other beef recipes: Beef Stew, Beef Brisket, Beef Stroganoff, Beef Tips and Gravy, Italian Beef, Mississippi Pot Roast, French Dips etc. with melt-in-your mouth tender, richly satisfying beef. Check them all out here! I’M GOING TO DETAIL GOULASH HISTORY, INGREDIENTS, VARIATIONS, AND TIPS FOR SUCCESS. YOU CAN READ ON OR USE MY “JUMP TO RECIPE” BUTTON AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE TO SKIP STRAIGHT TO THE RECIPE.

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What is Hungarian Goulash?

Goulash (Hungarian: gulyás) is one of the national dishes of Hungary. It is a beef and vegetable soup made with tender chunks of beef (neck or shoulder), peppers, onions, and garlic stewed in a rich broth seasoned with plenty of quintessential sweet paprika. Thicker style Goulash recipes like you see here today, are more accurately referred to as Pörkölt. At most, you’ll find mushrooms, carrots, potatoes, bell peppers, and tomatoes. The peppers, tomatoes and potatoes are post-16th century additions, but a common addition today. Hungarian Goulash varies from household to household; some recipes also include carrots, mushrooms, celery, turnips and/or parsnips, some recipes are more soup-like while others are thick and meaty, but they all include a generous amount of sweet paprika, caraway seeds and onions– the essential building blocks for a proper Goulash. Goulash didn’t start out as the hearty, richly red stew we all know and love today, but once paprika was introduced in the 1400s, it became a staple ingredient. Sweet paprika made of red bell peppers (not basic, smoked or hot paprika), adds the signature vibrant, sweet, warming notes and the caraway adds balancing nutty, lemon, peppery, anise notes. For this Goulash recipe, I used a full ¼ cup of sweet paprika, 2 large onions (about 2 pounds), 6 garlic cloves and 2 teaspoons caraway seeds. These amounts may seem excessive, but they are true to authentic Hungarian Goulash recipes and what build and meld together to create the incredibly rich, flavorful, complex broth that thickens as it slow cooks and reduces for hours. The finishing touch in many Goulash recipes is sour cream. Stir it directly into the Goulash or as the crowning dollop on your plate served over a bed of csipetke (pinched egg noodles).

Where does goulash come from?

Goulash dates back to 9th century Hungary. During that time, Hungary was the home to massive herds of cattle that herdsman drove to Europe’s biggest cattle markets from Vienna to Nuremberg. To feed themselves along the journey, the herdsman would claim the leanest cattle to butcher along the way. They would spice, cook and dehydrate the beef and store it in a bag made from sheep’s stomach. This created a portable meal that only needed water to rehydrate, and could be supplemented with ingredients found along the way or carried in saddlebags such as onions, cured bacon, or lard. The stew was then cooked over cast-iron cauldrons over an open fire until rich and tender. The portable nature of Hungarian Goulash made it extremely popular and soon it spread to other countries, becoming the peasant dish of the masses. In the 15th century, peppers arrived from America to Hungary. The Hungarians dried, crushed, and made them into paprika and soon paprika became the quintessential, signature spice of Goulash. By the late 17th century, Goulash was beloved by most of Eastern Europe, but it wasn’t until the early 1800s during the split of the Austro-Hungarian empire, that Hungarians declared Goulash their national dish as a way to distinguish themselves from their Austrian oppressors. Today, Goulash is just as beloved in Hungary and around the world.

What doeS Goulash Mean?

Goulash originates from the Hungarian gulyás meaning “herdsman” or “cowboy,” a nod to the herdsman who invented the portable, dehydrated stew. Over time, the dish became gulyáshús, which translates to “goulash meat,” meaning, a meat dish prepared by herdsmen. Today, gulyás refers both to the herdsmen, and to the soup.

GOULASH OUTSIDE OF HUNGARY:

Hungarian Goulash is the mother of all Goulash recipes, even our macaroni studded American Goulash finds its roots in the famous national dish. Over the centuries, Goulash was embraced all over Europe, and eventually the world, even a far as the Philippines! Each country has adopted their own unique version. Here are some varieties of Goulash from different countries to inspire your own, all of which still include Hungarian paprika:

Austria: Austrians enjoy Wiener Saftgulasch, which loosely translates to “Viennese gravy goulash.” It is aptly named because Viennese-style goulash consists of tender beef and onions without any other added vegetables. The beef is coated in a thick, dark, and smooth gravy that reduces and thickens over the slow cooking time. Czech Republic: you will find český guláš (Czech goulash) or hovězí guláš (beef goulash) in the Czech Republic. It’s a thick stew also made with beef, onions and spices without additional vegetables. “Guláš” boasts a similar flavor profile to Hungarian Goulash but does not include other vegetables. It is often served topped with sliced onion and a side of simple boiled dumplings accompanied by Pilsner beer, the Czech drink of choice. Croatia: Croatian “Gulaš” is often made with venison or boar instead of beef with the addition of sliced or shredded carrots and mushrooms. It is traditional served over a bed of polenta. Germany: Beef Goulash (Rindergulasch), Venison Goulash (Wildschweingulasch), Pork Goulash (Schweinegulasch) and Wild Boar Goulash (Wildschweingulasch) are all popular in Germany! German Goulash omits the potatoes and replaces some of the broth with red wine. In northern Germany, it’s often served over boiled potatoes. In southern German, it is served with Spätzle, a homemade noodle. Romania: includes Transylvania which was once part of the Austro-Hungarian empire so its Goulash is very similar to Hungary’s. Romanian Goulash also includes beef or pork, onions, bell peppers, carrots, tomatoes and sour cream. In some areas of Romania, sauerkraut is added. It is served over Romanian polenta, dumplings or pasta. Serbia: Serbian Goulash is also very similar to Hungarian Goulash with the inclusion of vegetables but usually made with lamb or pork instead of beef. It can also boast a different flavor profile with the inclusion of chili pepper and cinnamon. It is typically served over mashed potatoes or pasta. North America: Goulash in America is more like hamburger helper than a stew. It first showed up in North American cookbooks around 1914, made with elbow macaroni, ground beef and canned tomato sauce.

Why this recipe for Goulash works

Now onto the main event! You guys, I am IN LOVE with this recipe. This Hungarian Goulash is a comforting classic waiting to become a new family favorite! It combines the comfort of rustic cooking with complex layers of flavor that will have everyone swooning. While this recipe might not be 100% authentic Goulash eaten in 9th century Budapest by Hungarian herdsmen, it comes pretty close. Here’s why you’ll love it:

This recipe is so easy because the oven does most of the work! This Goulash recipe is made by searing the beef and sautéing the onions on the stovetop, then dumping in the rest of the ingredients and transferring the dish to the oven to braise to fall apart tender perfection. The oven method makes for a prep and forget meal that cooks the beef and vegetables evenly every time. It’s a meal-in-one. This recipe also makes dinnertime a breeze because it’s practically a meal-in-one loaded with protein and veggies. You can skip the sides all together or serve it with a no-fuss simple green salad and crusty bread. The exotic flavor will have your entire family swooning over the Goulash – mine was. Hungarian Goulash is seasoned with signature sweet Hungarian paprika and caraway seeds along with a bevy of hand-picked spices which infuse the beef and vegetables with sweet red bell pepper flavorings and bright, lemon, peppery notes. It’s magic. This Goulash recipe is versatile, make it our own! Although you’ll want to stick to the seasonings, you can customize the vegetables in this recipe to suite your family tastes. This big pot of Goulash is always a crowd pleaser. There simply isn’t anything more comforting than a big bowl of hearty Goulash bursting with tender beef, potatoes and carrots swimming in luscious beef and tomato-infused sauce. It’s like a warm blanket that warms you from the inside out with every heaping slurpful. Even your pickiest eater will be clamoring for more! It makes a large quantity. This easy recipe makes a hearty pot which feeds the entire family with tantalizing leftovers to spare at the fraction of the price of dining out. This Goulash recipe is perfect for make ahead meals, meal prep or freezer meals. This is one of those unique recipes that tastes even better the next day, so bring on the make-ahead-meal to pull it out for those busy nights ahead!

Hungarian Goulash Recipe ingredients

This Goulash recipe boasts many of the same ingredients you find in beef stew. You will need:

What beef is best for this Goulash Recipe?

Boneless chuck is the best cut of beef for Hungarian Goulash. It boasts a succulent, beefy flavor and melt-in-your mouth texture due to its rich marbling. It is guaranteed to become fall apart tender when cooked long enough. You can purchase a single piece from your butcher (I like Costco) and chop it yourself. This ensures every bite is the same cut of beef (imagine that!) and is (roughly) the same size so they cook evenly.

CAN I USE STEW MEAT?

While you might assume “stew meat” is the best cut for Goulash, it’s NOT! Stew meat is a hodgepodge of different cuts of meat all packed together. This creates a problem because not all cuts of meat cook the same due to their meat to fat ratio so you are left with tender bites, tough bites and rubbery bites – all in the same dish!

What can i substitute for caraway seeds?

Caraway seeds are one of my favorite seasonings. I don’t use them a lot in recipes I post because it’s not a common pantry ingredient, but I do think it’s worth stocking. The flavor of caraway cannot be directly replicated, but the best substitution is half fennel seeds and half oregano. So, for this Hungarian Goulash recipe, use 1 teaspoon fennel seeds and 1 teaspoon dried oregano.

What is Hungarian Paprika?

Paprika is made from the finely ground skins and flesh of red peppers to create the iconic bright red powder. It is categorized by mild/basic, sweet, hot, and smoked, with a few other variations somewhere in between, depending on which red peppers are used. For this recipe, you must use Hungarian sweet paprika, often labeled “sweet paprika.” Do NOT use smoked or hot paprika! Sweet paprika is made of sweet red bell peppers so it doesn’t have any heat. Instead, it’s bright, sweet, fruity and peppery.

Can I just use paprika?

The paprika that you see in the grocery store that is simply labeled, “paprika” is guaranteed to be basic, mild paprika, with a low-intensity pepper flavor without much heat or sweetness. It is the least assertive in flavor of all the varieties of paprika and will NOT deliver the signature flavor of Hungarian Goulash. To achieve the signature flavor, you must use sweet Hungarian paprika or sweet paprika for its pungent pepper flavor and sweetness.

Best Goulash Recipe variations

Goulash recipes vary widely even within Hungary! Now that you’re familiar with the basic ingredients, here are some variations to inspire your own creativity, thanks to Wikipedia!:

Székely Gulyás: omit the potatoes and add sauerkraut and sour cream. Mock Gulyás, also called Hamisgulyás, (Fake Goulash): substitute beef bones for the meat and add vegetables. Bean Gulyás: omit the potatoes and the caraway seeds. Use kidney beans instead. Csángó Gulyás: add sauerkraut instead of potatoes. Betyár Gulyás: use smoked beef or smoked pork for the meat. Likócsi Pork Gulyás: use pork and thin vermicelli in the Goulash instead of potatoes. Season with a splash of fresh lemon juice. Mutton Gulyás or Birkagulyás: substitute the beef with mutton (older sheep meat) and red wine. Paprikás krumpli: substitute the beef with spicy sausage and bacon.

Here are a few more recipe variations that aren’t authentic. Remember, this is YOUR Goulash recipe, make it your own!

Use ground beef: swap the beef chuck roast for ground beef, similar to Hamburger Soup and use smaller carrots Brown the beef and onions then add all of the ingredients including the potatoes and simmer for 30 minutes or until the carrots and potatoes at the tender. Make it creamy: Hungarian Goulash is often served with a dollop of sour cream mixed directly into the stew; or you can add a dollop to each bowl. You can also stir in ¼ cup heavy cream during the last several minutes of cooking time, much like in authentic Bolognese sauce. If you plan on freezing the dish, however, you’ll want to omit the heavy cream and add the sour cream to individual servings. Make it spicy: this Goulash recipe is fantastically flavorful but is not spicy. If you would like a kick of heat, add 1/4-½ teaspoon red pepper flakes. Carrots: I added carrots to the recipe, which are not traditional components of authentic Hungarian Goulash because I LOVE carrots with potatoes. So, take them or leave them for a more or less authentic experience. If you omit the carrots, you will need less broth- just enough to cover the contents of the pot. Add vegetables: add any of your favorite veggies such as parsnips, turnips sweet potatoes, butternut squash, etc. Add rice: add 1 cup long grain white rice (I recommend basmati for the best texture) the last 10-12 minutes of cooking (must be simmered on the stove). You will need to add additional broth to accommodate the rice. Add pasta: add short pasta noodles to the pot while simmering on the stove the last 10 minute or so. Again, add additional broth to the Dutch oven as needed to compensate for the pasta. Roasted sweet red bell peppers: instead of sautéing one red bell pepper, try adding a drained, blended or roughly chopped jar of roasted sweet bell peppers instead. Consistency: Hungarian Goulash ranges from thick to brothy. For a soupier version, increase the broth to 4 cups. Beer: While researching Hungarian Goulash, I found several recipes that use beer in place of some of the beef broth. You are welcome to replace part of the beef broth with a bottle of beer, if desired.

How to make Hungarian Goulash

Don’t let the thought of making homemade goulash intimidate you! It’s actually an incredibly simple process, but the stew does require about 3 hours to cook low and slow in the oven. Here are the basic steps to making this recipe at home:

Step 1: Prepare the ingredients

Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper, then set aside and allow to come to room temperature while you chop the vegetables. This develops a more flavorful crust and helps the beef sear more evenly.

Step 2: sear the beef

For the best flavor and texture, sear the beef in two batches so it it can brown and not just steam, rotating the beef with tongs after it cooks for a few minutes on each side. You’re not looking to cook the beef all the way through, but go for deeply browned, because color equals flavor! Transfer the beef to a plate but leave the drippings behind. These deeply flavorful drippings will add an extra oomph of flavor to the veggies and the entire dish.

STEP 2: Saute aromatics

Add some butter, onions and mushrooms, if using, to the drippings. Cook, stirring often, until onions are softened, about 10 minutes. We’re not looking to brown the onions, (although they will soak up color from the drippings) but looking to soften them slowly to really caramelize and amp up the sweetness.
Once the onions are caramelized, add the garlic, sweet paprika, caraway seeds and thyme and sauté for 30 seconds. This blooms/unlocks the flavors.

Step 3: Assemble & cook the goulash

Add all remaining Goulash ingredients up to “add later” (diced tomatoes through bay leaves). The broth should barely cover the ingredients, if it doesn’t, then add enough just to cover. Cover and cook on the stove or in the oven, adding the potatoes the last bit of cooking. I prefer the oven for even cooking without any babysitting, but the broth will reduce more and become thicker on the stove.

HOW DO YOU THICKEN GOULASH?

The consistency of the Goulash is a matter of personal preference and is easy to control. If you prefer your Hungarian Goulash thicker like stew, you may need to thicken it at the end of cooking with a cornstarch slurry. This is particularly applicable if you’ve cooked the Goulash in the oven. If that’s the case, you will need to complete this step on the stove. To make the slurry, whisk together 2 tablespoons cornstarch with ¼ beef broth or water until the cornstarch is completely dissolved. Slowly stir the slurry into the Goulash over low heat, then bring the stew to a simmer for 5-10 minutes, until thickened. If the dish thickens too much, then stir in additional broth.

How do you Thin Goulash?

If you’ve cooked the Goulash on the stove, it will reduce down more than in the oven and become thicker. If it’s to thick for your liking, then stir in additional broth.

How to serve this recipe for Goulash

Authentic Hungarian Goulash is served in shallow bowls over Nokedli, (little dumplings similar to spaetzle), or Csipetke (pinched egg noodles in the shape of a dumpling). Classic egg noodles are a great substitute if you can’t get your hands on either one. Goulash is also tasty served over mashed potatoes (if omitting the potatoes in the dish) or polenta like they do in Romania. Server your Goulash recipe with a dollop of sour cream and rye bread on the side with a generous sprinkling of fresh parsley.

Sides to serve with Hungarian Goulash

Now that we have the Goulash covered, let’s talk sides. Since your meal already consists of a truly fantastic, hearty bowl of amazing flavor, sides can be minimal. Go with a big green salad and crusty bread or rye bread. For more involved, company worthy salads, I suggest Apple Salad, Strawberry Spinach Salad or Fall Salad. For fruit, try Perfect Fruit Salad in the spring/summer and Winter Fruit Salad in the Fall/Winter.

goulash recipe Tips and Tricks

MAKE AHEAD GOULASH Recipe

This Goulash recipe tastes even better the next day, so feel free to make it in its entirety and reheat when ready to serve. Alternatively, you can prep some of the ingredients in advance:

Carrots: chop the carrots and place them in an airtight container days in advance. You can also chop the mushrooms but remember do NOT rinse them, simply brush them with a cloth. Potatoes: once you cut the potatoes, starch is released which will cause them to brown, so make sure you submerge them in water to prevent this discoloration. Simply place the potatoes in a bowl or airtight container, cover with water then cover with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate until ready to use. Beef: chop into 1” pieces the night before. You can even sear the beef the night before. Make sure your beef cools to room temperature before sealing in an airtight container or zip bag and placing in the refrigerator. Assemble: this makes for a hassle free, no fuss dinner! Follow the recipe up to cooking in the oven, adding all of the ingredients to the pot. Cover and transfer to the refrigerator until ready to cook. When ready to cook, bring to a simmer before transferring to the oven.

How to store this Hungarian Goulash Recipe

Once your Goulash has cooled to room temperature, cover and transfer to the refrigerator. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.

How to reheat Hungarian Goulash

Crockpot: heat on low for 1-2 hours, depending on how much you have left. Stove: heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until the beef is heated through to 165 degrees F. This may take 20 minutes, so plan accordingly. Microwave: for smaller batches or individual servings, transfer Goulash to a microwave-safe dish, cover with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel. Microwave for 2 minutes, stir, then continue to microwave for 30-second intervals, if needed.