Meta Title: Hungarian Babgulyás Recipe – Authentic Hungarian Bean Goulash

Meta Description: Learn how to make authentic Hungarian Babgulyás, a hearty Hungarian bean goulash made with tender beef, white beans, vegetables, and sweet Hungarian paprika. A rich, comforting one-pot meal perfect for family dinners.

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hungarian-babgulyas-bean-goulash-recipe

Hungarian Babgulyás (Bean Goulash)

Babgulyás, meaning Bean Goulash, is one of Hungary’s most satisfying traditional soups. It combines the rich flavors of classic Hungarian goulash with creamy white beans, tender beef, potatoes, vegetables, and generous amounts of sweet Hungarian paprika.

Slow-simmered until the beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender and the broth is deeply flavorful, Babgulyás is a complete meal in a bowl. Many families also add smoked Hungarian sausage (kolbász) or homemade csipetke (pinched noodles) for an even heartier version.

Served with crusty bread and a spoonful of sour cream, this rustic soup is a comforting favorite throughout Hungary, especially during the colder months.

What Is Babgulyás?
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Kitchen Equipment
Step-by-Step Instructions
Recipe Variations
Serving Suggestions
Expert Tips
Storage & Reheating
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts

What Is Babgulyás?

Babgulyás is a traditional Hungarian soup that blends the flavors of goulash and bean soup. Made with beef, white beans, potatoes, carrots, peppers, tomatoes, onions, and Hungarian paprika, it’s a hearty, slow-cooked meal that’s deeply rooted in Hungarian country cooking.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Authentic Hungarian recipe
Rich paprika flavor
Tender slow-cooked beef
Protein- and fiber-rich
One-pot comfort food
Great for meal prep
Even better the next day

Ingredients

Main Soup

1 lb (450 g) beef chuck, cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes
2 cups (400 g) dried white beans, soaked overnight (or 2 cans, drained and rinsed)
2 tablespoons pork lard or vegetable oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons sweet Hungarian paprika
1 teaspoon hot Hungarian paprika (optional)
2 medium carrots, sliced
1 parsley root or 1 parsnip, sliced
2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
1 Hungarian wax pepper or green bell pepper, diced
2 medium tomatoes, chopped (or 1 cup canned diced tomatoes)
1 teaspoon caraway seeds
2 bay leaves
8 cups (2 liters) beef broth or water
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste