Easy Goulash Recipe

Goulash is a hearty, flavorful stew originating from Hungary, known for its rich paprika seasoning and tender meat.¹ An “easy” goulash recipe typically streamlines the process while preserving the deep, savory flavor.²

Here is a straightforward and delicious recipe for an easy beef goulash:

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🍲 Easy Hungarian-Style Beef Goulash

This recipe focuses on slow-simmering to ensure the beef is tender and the sauce is rich.³

🛒 Ingredients

Category	Item	Quantity	Notes
Meat	Beef stew meat or chuck roast, cubed	$1.5$ lbs ($680\text{g}$)
Aromatics	Yellow Onion, chopped	$1$ large
Flavor Base	Tomato paste	$2\text{ Tbsp}$
Seasoning	Hungarian Sweet Paprika	$3\text{ Tbsp}$	Use high-quality paprika for the best flavor.
Seasoning	Caraway seeds, crushed	$1\text{ tsp}$	Optional, but traditional.
Liquid	Beef broth	$4$ cups	Low sodium preferred.
Vegetables	Potatoes, peeled and cubed	$2$ medium
Vegetables	Carrots, sliced	$2$ medium
Other	Olive oil or lard	$2\text{ Tbsp}$
Other	Salt and pepper	To taste

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Searing the Beef and Sautéing Aromatics (15 minutes)

1. Sear Beef: Pat the beef cubes dry and season lightly with salt and pepper. Heat $1\text{ Tbsp}$ oil/lard in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Sear the beef in batches until browned on all sides, then remove and set aside.
2. Sauté Onion: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining $1\text{ Tbsp}$ oil/lard and the chopped onion. Sauté until the onion is soft and translucent (about 5-7 minutes).

2. Building the Flavor Base (5 minutes)

1. Add Paprika: Remove the pot from the heat briefly (this prevents the paprika from burning, which makes it bitter). Stir in the sweet paprika and caraway seeds. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly.
2. Add Tomato Paste: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes.

3. Simmering (1.5 – 2 hours)

1. Combine: Return the seared beef to the pot. Pour in the beef broth. The liquid should mostly cover the meat.
2. Simmer: Bring the mixture to a low boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender. Stir occasionally.
3. Optional Trick: If you like a thicker gravy, you can dredge the beef lightly in flour before searing.⁴

4. Adding Vegetables (30 minutes)

1. Add Vegetables: Stir in the cubed potatoes and sliced carrots. Add more liquid if necessary to cover the vegetables.
2. Finish Simmering: Cover and continue to simmer for another 20-30 minutes, or until the potatoes and carrots are tender.
3. Adjust Seasoning: Taste the goulash and adjust the salt, pepper, and add a pinch more paprika if desired.

🍽️ Serving Suggestion

Serve the goulash hot with crusty bread, egg noodles, or traditional potato dumplings (Nockerl or Spätzle).⁵ A dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of fresh parsley is a classic garnish.

Would you like a recipe for a quick side of homemade egg noodles to go with your goulash?