🇭🇺 Hungarian Goulash (Gulyás) – A Taste of Hungary’s Culinary Heritage! 🍲
If there’s one dish that defines Hungarian cuisine, it’s Gulyás – or Hungarian Goulash! 🇭🇺 This rich, hearty, and deeply flavorful stew is a beloved comfort food made with tender beef, sweet paprika, onions, and potatoes, slow-cooked to perfection. Whether you serve it with crusty bread or traditional dumplings, this dish brings the warmth of Hungary straight to your table!
🌟 Save this recipe because once you taste this authentic Hungarian Goulash, you’ll want to make it again and again! 📌❤️
🥩 Ingredients for Hungarian Goulash (Serves 6)
For the Stew:
✔️ 2 lbs (900g) beef chuck or shank, cut into bite-sized cubes 🥩
✔️ 2 tbsp vegetable oil or lard 🛢️
✔️ 2 large onions, finely chopped 🧅
✔️ 3 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
✔️ 2 tbsp Hungarian sweet paprika 🌶️ (authentic flavor!)
✔️ 1 tsp caraway seeds (optional, but traditional) 🌿
✔️ 1 large tomato, chopped 🍅
✔️ 1 red bell pepper, chopped 🫑
✔️ 4 cups (1 liter) beef broth 🥣
✔️ 3 large potatoes, peeled & cubed 🥔
✔️ 2 carrots, sliced 🥕
✔️ 1-2 tsp salt, or to taste 🧂
✔️ ½ tsp black pepper 🌶️
✔️ 1 bay leaf 🍃
✔️ 1 tsp marjoram (optional) 🌿
For Serving:
✔️ Fresh crusty bread 🥖 or csipetke dumplings (traditional Hungarian noodles)
✔️ Sour cream (optional, for garnish) 🥄
👩🍳 How to Make Hungarian Goulash
1️⃣ Sauté the Aromatics
1️⃣ Heat oil or lard in a large pot over medium heat.
2️⃣ Add chopped onions and cook until soft and golden (about 5-7 minutes).
3️⃣ Stir in garlic, paprika, and caraway seeds, cooking for 30 seconds to release flavors.
💡 TIP: Don’t let the paprika burn! It can turn bitter, so stir quickly and add some liquid if needed.
2️⃣ Brown the Beef
1️⃣ Add beef cubes and cook until browned on all sides.
2️⃣ Stir in tomato and bell pepper, then season with salt, pepper, and marjoram.
3️⃣ Pour in beef broth and add the bay leaf.
4️⃣ Cover and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours until beef is tender.
3️⃣ Add Vegetables & Finish Cooking
1️⃣ Add potatoes and carrots, then cook for another 25-30 minutes until tender.
2️⃣ Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or paprika if needed.
4️⃣ Serve & Enjoy!
1️⃣ Remove bay leaf and serve the goulash hot, with fresh bread or csipetke dumplings.
2️⃣ Garnish with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
💡 Pro Tips for the Best Hungarian Goulash
✔️ Use authentic Hungarian sweet paprika for the best flavor – it makes ALL the difference! 🇭🇺
✔️ Slow cooking is key to tender beef and rich flavors.
✔️ For extra depth, add a splash of red wine while simmering. 🍷
✔️ For a thicker stew, mash some of the potatoes into the broth before serving.
🍷 What to Serve with Hungarian Goulash?
✔️ Crusty bread (for soaking up all that delicious broth!) 🥖
✔️ Csipetke dumplings (traditional Hungarian noodles)
✔️ Pickles or sauerkraut (for a tangy contrast) 🥒
✔️ A glass of Hungarian red wine 🍷