Here is a clean, photo-free, authentic-style recipe for comforting, flavorful Beef Goulash — rich, hearty, and deeply seasoned with paprika.
🍲🇭🇺 Beef Goulash (Traditional-Style)
A warm Hungarian-inspired stew made with tender beef, onions, paprika, and potatoes simmered slowly until rich and comforting.
⭐ Ingredients
Main Ingredients
2 lbs (900 g) beef chuck, cut into cubes
2 large onions, finely chopped
3 tbsp oil or lard
3–4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp sweet Hungarian paprika (essential!)
1 tsp smoked paprika (optional but great)
1 tsp caraway seeds (optional, traditional)
1 bell pepper, chopped (optional)
2 tomatoes, diced (or ½ cup canned)
4 cups beef broth or water
2–3 potatoes, peeled and cubed
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish
🔥 Instructions
1. Build the Flavor Base
Heat oil in a large pot.
Add onions and cook slowly until soft and golden — this is key for authentic flavor.
Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
2. Add the Paprika
Remove pot briefly from heat.
Stir in sweet paprika (and smoked paprika if using). This prevents the paprika from burning and becoming bitter.
3. Add the Beef
Return pot to heat.
Add beef cubes and stir to coat in paprika mixture.
Cook until lightly browned on the outside.
4. Add Vegetables and Liquid
Add tomatoes and bell pepper.
Pour in enough broth/water to just cover the meat.
Add caraway seeds, salt, and pepper.
5. Simmer
Cover and cook 1½–2 hours, until beef is tender.
Add potatoes during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
6. Finish
Taste and adjust seasoning. Add more water if you want a soupier goulash, or simmer uncovered to thicken.
🍽️ Serve With
Fresh bread
Noodles or egg spaetzle
Rice
Sour cream (optional, not always traditional)
💡 Tips for Authentic Goulash Flavor
Use lots of onions — almost equal weight to the beef.
Don’t skip sweet Hungarian paprika; it’s the soul of goulash.
Slow simmering makes the beef melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Add potatoes for a heartier, more traditional countryside style.
If you want, I can also give you: 🇭🇺 Hungarian Goulash Soup Version 🇭🇺 Creamy American Goulash (with pasta) 🇭🇺 Slow Cooker Beef Goulash 🇭🇺 Paprikash-Style Goulash
