🛒 Ingredients – Simple, Honest, and Soulful
Hungarian goulash doesn’t need a fancy list of ingredients — it’s about using what you have, taking your time, and letting flavors build naturally. Here’s what you’ll need:
🍲 For the Goulash:
- 2 tablespoons oil or lard (lard is traditional and adds authentic flavor) 🧈
- 2 large onions, finely chopped 🧅
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
- 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into bite-sized chunks 🥩
- 2 tablespoons sweet Hungarian paprika 🇭🇺 (this is non-negotiable!)
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional, but traditional) 🌱
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped 🍅 (or use 1/2 cup canned)
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped (or red for sweetness) 🌶️
- 2 carrots, sliced 🥕
- 2 potatoes, diced 🥔
- Salt & black pepper, to taste 🧂
- 4 cups beef broth or water, more if needed 💧
👩🍳 How to Make It – Slow and Steady Wins the Flavor 🕰️
1️⃣ The Flavor Base
Start by heating the oil or lard in a large, heavy pot over medium heat. Sauté your chopped onions until golden and soft. This is the foundation — take your time and let those onions melt down into sweet perfection. 😋
Add your garlic and caraway seeds, cooking for just a minute until fragrant.
2️⃣ Paprika Magic
Here’s the pro move: remove the pot from the heat before adding the paprika. This prevents it from burning, which would make it bitter. Stir in the paprika until the onions are coated in that rich red spice. The aroma? Unreal. 😍
3️⃣ Time for Beef
Add your beef chunks and stir well, coating them in the paprika-onion mixture. Let them brown lightly on all sides.
4️⃣ Build the Stew
Toss in your chopped tomatoes and bell pepper. Season with salt and pepper, then pour in enough broth or water to just cover everything.
Bring it to a simmer, cover, and reduce the heat. Let it simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours, until the beef becomes fork-tender and the flavors have melded into something truly special. 🍖💕
5️⃣ Add the Veggies
In the last 30–40 minutes of cooking, add the potatoes and carrots. Simmer until they’re soft and infused with flavor. Stir occasionally and add more liquid if needed — remember, goulash is somewhere between a stew and a soup. 🍠🥕🥣
🍽️ How to Serve Hungarian Goulash
Traditionally, goulash is served with:
- Crusty bread for dipping 🥖
- Csipetke (tiny homemade pinched noodles) 🍜
- Spaetzle or egg noodles for a German twist 🥚
- A dollop of sour cream if you like it creamy 😋
Garnish with chopped parsley if you’re feeling fancy, but honestly, it’s perfect as-is.
🧡 Tips & Variations:
✨ Don’t rush it – Goulash is all about slow cooking and letting the flavors marry.
✨ Paprika matters – Use authentic Hungarian sweet paprika. It’s what gives the dish its soul.
✨ Make it ahead – It tastes even better the next day!
✨ Add a pinch of hot paprika or cayenne if you want a gentle kick. 🌶️
💬 Why We Love It
Hungarian Goulash is everything a comfort dish should be — warming, rich, hearty, and full of old-world charm. It’s the kind of meal that slows you down, invites you to gather around the table, and leaves you with full bellies and happy hearts. 🥰🍽️
📸 Your Turn!
Have you ever made goulash? Do you have a family twist you add? I’d love to hear your version of this classic stew! Share a pic, leave a comment, or pass the ladle to someone who needs a little comfort food today. ❤️
And if you’re trying this recipe — don’t forget to tag me! I’d love to see your bowls of goulash goodness. #HomeStyleHungary 🇭🇺🍲
Want me to turn this into a printable PDF, blog post, or even a video script in your tone for Facebook or TikTok? Just say the word!