Goulash is a hearty, comforting dish with deep flavors, often associated with Hungarian and Central European cuisine. Traditionally made with beef, vegetables, and a rich, paprika-infused broth, goulash is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for cold weather or any time you’re craving something filling and flavorful. It’s a dish that has been passed down through generations and adapted in various ways across different regions, but at its core, it’s a savory stew that’s both satisfying and easy to make.
The key to making goulash is the slow cooking of beef, which becomes tender and absorbs the flavors of the broth and spices. The base is typically made with onions, garlic, and a generous amount of paprika, which gives the dish its signature flavor and vibrant red color. Potatoes or root vegetables like carrots, celery, and parsnips are often added to create a hearty texture, while bell peppers and tomatoes bring a slight sweetness to balance the spices.
While the dish is commonly made with beef, you can easily substitute other proteins, such as pork or chicken, or even make a vegetarian version by using beans and mushrooms. A rich stock or broth is used to simmer the ingredients, and sometimes a splash of vinegar or lemon juice is added at the end for a bit of tang. Goulash is traditionally served with crusty bread, dumplings, or even over noodles, allowing the sauce to soak into the sides.
One of the beauties of goulash is its versatility. You can adjust the spice levels by adding more or less paprika or even incorporating chili flakes for a bit of heat. Some variations include sour cream or a dollop of yogurt on top to add creaminess and balance the richness of the stew.
Goulash is perfect for a family dinner, meal prepping, or a gathering with friends. It’s a dish that gets better with time, making it a great option for leftovers.
Ingredients
- 500 grams beef chuck cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds optional
- 400 grams canned tomatoes crushed
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 pieces bay leaves
- 2 medium potatoes diced
- 1 tablespoon flour mixed with a little water to form a paste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook until browned on all sides.
- Reduce the heat to medium, add the onions and garlic, and sauté until the onions are translucent.
- Stir in the paprika and caraway seeds, and cook for another minute.
- Add the tomatoes, beef broth, and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 1 hour.
- Add the potatoes and continue to cook for another 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
- Mix the flour paste into the goulash to thicken the sauce. Cook for an additional 10 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, and remove the bay leaves before serving.
Nutrition
So yummy! My son devoured it! Made it twice already this week, no regrets!
That’s awesome to hear! Goulash is such a comfort food. What other recipes do you think your son would like?
Not bad at all, but 1 hour felt short for my beef chuck cubes. I had to cook closer to 2 hours. Flavor was good though—onion + paprika combo is great.
Im no chef but this recipe was easy to follow. My goulash looks kinda funny tho 🤔.
Goulash is supposed to be thicker and kind of stew-y, right? Mine ended up a little soupy until I simmered longer. Once I kept it going, it thickened nicely.
Very solid goulash base. I used smoked paprika and added a pinch of chili flakes. Next time I’ll probably simmer a bit longer than 1 hour for even more tenderness.
Honestly? Tastes kinda like stew, not goulash. Also my garlic burned a bit—so be careful at the sauté step.
Totally get what you mean—if the paprika isn’t blooming right, it can come out more like a stew. And yeah, burning garlic is a classic problem. I sauté the garlic just until fragrant (like 30–60 seconds) then add the paprika right away.
Tried this last night. I think I put too much paprika! Next time I’ll go easy on that.
Paprika can be so tricky! Just a little more balance next time and you’ll nail it!
I made this but forgot onion. Still taste good, just not what I expected! Haha!
I don’t even know what goulash is, but my friend told me to try this. I follow the instructions, and it smells good!
Eh, not what I expected. Thought it would be more like the one my grandma made. Kinda frustrating.