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A vertical graphic with the text "Hungarian Goulash" showing a simmering pot with a bay leaf and a final plated bowl of the Hungarian Goulash Recipe.

Hungarian Goulash Recipe


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  • Author: meat and melt
  • Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

A cozy, authentic Hungarian goulash made with tender beef, sweet paprika, and rich broth—perfect for chilly nights and comforting meals.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 tablespoons pork lard (or butter or bacon grease)
  • pounds yellow onions, chopped
  • ¼ cup quality Hungarian sweet paprika
  • pounds stewing beef, cut into ½-inch pieces
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 red bell peppers, seeded and cut into ½-inch chunks
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and cut into ½-inch chunks
  • 2 tomatoes, diced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 medium potatoes, cut into ½-inch chunks
  • 5 cups beef broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon crushed caraway seeds (optional)


Instructions

  1. Melt lard or butter in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook until beginning to brown, about 7–10 minutes.
  2. Add beef and cook until just starting to brown, 7–10 minutes.
  3. Stir in bell peppers, tomatoes, and garlic. Cook for another 6–8 minutes.
  4. Remove the pot from heat. Stir in paprika, salt, pepper, and caraway seeds (if using).
  5. Add beef broth and bay leaf. Return to heat, bring to a boil, then cover and simmer on medium-low for 40 minutes.
  6. Stir in carrots and potatoes. Bring back to a boil, reduce to simmer, cover, and cook another 30–40 minutes, until beef is tender.
  7. Add salt to taste, remove bay leaf. Serve hot with crusty bread and a dollop of sour cream if desired.

Notes

For best results, use authentic Hungarian paprika and don’t skip the onion base. This dish is even better the next day.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Hungarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 520
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 880mg
  • Fat: 28g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 16g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 24g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 42g
  • Cholesterol: 115mg