Hungarian Goulash
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 2½ pounds stewing beef
lean, cut into 1 inch pieces
- or to taste1 teaspoon salt
- or to taste1 teaspoon pepper
- 2 large onions
roughly chopped
- 5 cloves garlic
minced
- 3 tablespoons sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
ground
- 1 teaspoon oregano
dried
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 4 cups beef broth
no salt added
- 2 tablespoons parsley
chopped, for garnish
Directions
- 1
Heat a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over high heat then add the olive oil.
- 2
When the oil is hot add the stewing beef. Season with salt and pepper and sear the beef until it starts to brown. The beef will release liquid so continue searing on high heat, and the liquid will evaporate. Alternatively you could drain all the liquid.
- 3
Add the onions and garlic to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes until the onions soften and become translucent. Turn the heat down to medium-high.
- 4
Add the paprika, caraway seeds, oregano, bay leaves and brown sugar to the skillet. Stir everything together and cook for 30 seconds.
- 5
Add the tomato sauce, balsamic vinegar, beef broth and stir.
- 6
Bring to a boil, then cover and cook on low for about 2 hours or until the beef is fork tender, stirring occasionally. The liquid will reduce down a lot as the beef cooks, so feel free to add more water or broth as needed.
- 7
Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper if needed.
- 8
Garnish with chopped parsley and serve over noodles or mashed potatoes.
Hungarian Goulash
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Based on 375 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Craving a truly hearty and comforting meal that warms you from the inside out? This Hungarian Goulash delivers tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef nestled in an incredibly rich, savory broth, perfect for a cozy family dinner.
What makes this goulash truly special is the dedication to slow cooking, allowing the stewing beef ample time to break down into succulent, fork-tender perfection. The generous use of sweet paprika, combined with fragrant caraway seeds and earthy oregano, creates a deeply layered flavor profile that is both authentic and incredibly satisfying.
Prepare for a truly comforting culinary experience. Each spoonful offers tender pieces of beef bathed in a velvety, richly seasoned broth that boasts a complex sweetness from brown sugar and balsamic vinegar, balanced by the savory depth of beef broth and tomato sauce. The aroma alone will draw everyone to the table, promising a hearty and immensely satisfying meal. While it requires a significant cooking time of about 3 hours, the active prep work is minimal, making it an ideal recipe for a leisurely weekend or a make-ahead masterpiece.
Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your liking; a little extra salt or pepper can enhance the flavors. If you're not a fan of caraway seeds, you can reduce the amount or omit them entirely, though they contribute a classic warmth to traditional goulash. For a deeper, richer color, ensure your sweet paprika is fresh and vibrant.
This robust Hungarian Goulash is designed to be the star of your meal, making it an excellent choice for a comforting family gathering or a satisfying dinner party. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley just before serving to add a bright, herbaceous note.