Betyárleves🇭🇺

Betyárleves🇭🇺 (Shepherd’s Soup / Outlaw’s Soup)

Betyárleves is a rich, rustic Hungarian soup traditionally enjoyed by shepherds and herdsmen. The word betyár means “outlaw” or “shepherd,” and this hearty dish lives up to its name—it’s robust, smoky, and filling enough to sustain someone working outdoors all day. It blends Hungarian paprika with potatoes, vegetables, and smoked meats, creating a deeply flavorful soup.

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🥘 Ingredients:

• 300 g (10 oz) smoked sausage (kolbász), sliced
• 200 g (7 oz) smoked bacon, diced
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp lard or sunflower oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp Hungarian sweet paprika
• 1 tsp hot paprika or chili flakes (optional)
• 3–4 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 1 parsley root (or parsnip), sliced
• 1 small celery root (celeriac), cubed
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped (or 1 tbsp tomato paste)
• 2 liters (8 cups) beef or pork broth
• Salt & black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped