Save to Pinterest A comforting, classic Hungarian stew featuring tender beef and sweet paprika, simmered to perfection and served over buttery egg noodles for a rustic, heartwarming dinner.
This dish reminds me of cozy family dinners where the aroma fills the house and everyone eagerly waits to dig in.
Ingredients
- Vegetable oil: 2 tablespoons
- Beef chuck: 2 pounds cut into 1-inch cubes
- Yellow onions: 2 large finely chopped
- Garlic: 3 cloves minced
- Sweet Hungarian paprika: 2 tablespoons
- Smoked paprika: 1 teaspoon
- Caraway seeds: 1 teaspoon lightly crushed
- Dried marjoram: 1 teaspoon
- Tomato paste: 1 tablespoon
- Green bell pepper: 1 diced
- Tomatoes: 2 medium diced or 1 cup canned diced drained
- Beef broth: 4 cups
- Salt: 1 teaspoon plus more to taste
- Black pepper: ½ teaspoon
- Bay leaf: 1
- Wide egg noodles: 12 ounces
- Unsalted butter: 2 tablespoons optional
- Chopped fresh parsley: for garnish
- Sour cream: optional for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes in batches and brown on all sides. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2:
- In the same pot add onions and sauté until golden and very soft about 8 10 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Step 3:
- Reduce heat to low. Add both paprikas caraway seeds and marjoram. Stir constantly for 1 minute ensuring the spices do not burn.
- Step 4:
- Add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute then stir in bell pepper and tomatoes cooking for another 2 minutes.
- Step 5:
- Return the browned beef and any juices to the pot. Pour in beef broth add salt pepper and bay leaf. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 6:
- Cover and cook on low heat for 1½ 2 hours stirring occasionally until the beef is fork-tender and the sauce has thickened Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Step 7:
- Meanwhile cook the egg noodles according to package instructions. Drain and toss with butter if using.
- Step 8:
- Remove bay leaf from the goulash. Serve the goulash hot over a bed of egg noodles garnished with parsley and a dollop of sour cream if desired.
Save to Pinterest Sharing this meal brings back warm memories of our family gathering around the table, enjoying hearty conversation and delicious food together.
Required Tools
Large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven Wooden spoon Chefs knife Cutting board Pasta pot and colander
Allergen Information
Contains Egg in egg noodles Dairy if butter or sour cream is used May contain gluten in egg noodles use gluten-free noodles if required Always check product labels for potential allergens
Nutritional Information
Calories 670 Total Fat 27 g Carbohydrates 58 g Protein 46 g per serving
Save to Pinterest This Hungarian Goulash is perfect for comforting nights and sure to become a family favorite for years to come.
Recipe FAQs
- → What type of beef works best for this stew?
Beef chuck is ideal due to its marbling and connective tissue, which break down during slow cooking to create tender, flavorful meat.
- → Can I adjust the spiciness level in the dish?
Yes, combining sweet paprika with a bit of hot paprika can increase the depth and heat according to taste preferences.
- → What are good alternatives to egg noodles for serving?
Wide pasta, spaetzle, or mashed potatoes are excellent substitutes to accompany the rich stew.
- → Is it necessary to brown the beef beforehand?
Browning the beef adds caramelized flavor and improves the overall depth of the dish, so it is recommended.
- → How can the stew be made dairy-free?
Simply omit the butter tossed with the noodles and skip the sour cream garnish to keep it dairy-free.
- → What wine pairs well with this Hungarian dish?
A robust Hungarian red wine like Egri Bikavér complements the paprika-rich flavors perfectly.