Hungarian Goulash Soup Made at Home

Hungarian Goulash Soup Made at Home (Gulyásleves) 🇭🇺🍲

Real Hungarian goulash is a soup, not a thick stew—rich with paprika, tender beef, vegetables, and a deeply comforting broth. This is the authentic home-style version.

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🥩 Ingredients

• 2 lbs (900 g) beef chuck or shin, cut into cubes
• 2 tbsp lard or oil
• 2 large onions, finely chopped
• 3 tbsp sweet Hungarian paprika
• 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp caraway seeds
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tomato, chopped (or ½ cup canned)
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 6 cups water or beef broth
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 potatoes, diced

Optional Pinched Noodles (Csipetke)

• 1 egg
• ½ cup flour
• Pinch of salt

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🍲 Instructions

1. Heat lard or oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onions and cook slowly until soft and lightly golden.
3. Remove from heat, stir in paprika.
4. Add beef, salt, pepper, caraway seeds, and garlic. Stir well.
5. Add tomato, bell pepper, and water/broth. Bring to a gentle simmer.
6. Cover and cook 1½–2 hours, until beef is tender.

Add Vegetables

1. Add carrots and potatoes.
2. Simmer another 20–30 minutes until vegetables are soft.

Csipetke (Optional)

1. Mix egg, flour, and salt into a stiff dough.
2. Pinch small pieces directly into the soup.
3. Cook 5–7 minutes until they float.

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🍽️ To Serve

• Hot, with crusty bread
• Fresh hot peppers or pickles on the side

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🔑 Authentic Tips

• Use Hungarian sweet paprika only 🌶️
• Never rush the onions
• Goulash should be soupy, not thick

If you want:

• A short Facebook post
• A Darija version
• Or Goulash vs Pörkölt explained