If you are looking for a hearty and comforting meal, this beef goulash is the answer. Packed with tender beef and a flavorful tomato-based sauce, it's an easy-to-make dish that’s way better than takeout.
Perfect for a lazy Sunday or family dinner, this Hungarian beef goulash recipe is one that you will want to bookmark for a rainy day. There's nothing better than a hearty beef stew to warm the tummy and the soul.
Table of Contents
Recipe Video
Why This Recipe Works
This beef goulash recipe works because it’s a one-pot meal that’s incredibly easy to make. It offers a comforting dish that can be created with minimal effort.
Featuring tender beef, potatoes, savory onions, and sweet red peppers, this comfort food classic develops beautifully as it simmers. By cooking everything in one pot, the ingredients meld together, enhancing each other’s flavors and making cleanup a breeze.
Plus, it’s versatile—you can customize your homemade beef goulash with different vegetables or meats, and it’s perfect for making ahead or freezing for later.
Additionally, The slow cooking process ensures the beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender while allowing the flavors time to meld together and develop fully giving you a complete and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Olive Oil:
For your homemade goulash, opt for a high-quality extra virgin olive oil with a rich flavor. However, if you don't have olive oil on hand, you can also use vegetable, canola, or avocado oil.
Onions:
While this beef goulash recipe uses white onions, red and yellow onions can also be used. However, they will bring slightly different characteristics to the stew. Alternatively, you can also use shallots, leeks, green onions, fennel bulbs, and celery in addition to or instead of onions. Any of these options will bring their own unique flavors to the mix so have fun experimenting.
Chuck Roast:
For the best beef goulash, use beef chuck or another cut that is suitable for slow cooking. Try making your homemade beef goulash using beef brisket, beef shank, short ribs, bottom round, or oxtail. These cuts become tender and flavorful as they cook. You can even make it with pork shoulder, lamb shoulder, boneless and skinless chicken or turkey thighs, or mushrooms for a vegan alternative.
Seasonings:
This slow-cooked beef goulash contains several seasonings, including salt, pepper, paprika, and crushed red pepper flakes. You can use as much or as little as you like to suit your personal taste preferences. To make a truly authentic beef goulash, it's important to use Hungarian paprika, which is much sweeter than spicy or smokey.
Vegetables:
This hearty beef stew is packed with a variety of vegetables making it super fulfilling and flavorful. Tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, and red bell peppers infuse the goulash with flavor as it cooks. Other vegetables such as mushrooms, beans, cabbage, parsnips, and turnips can also be added to this easy beef goulash recipe.
How to Make Beef Goulash
Step One:
Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
Step Two:
Add the onions and cook until opaque.
Step Three:
Stir in the chuck roast and season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook until beef cubes are browned on all sides.
Step Four:
Stir in tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, garlic, red pepper flakes, and beef broth. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat, cover, and cook until the potatoes and carrots are easily pierced with a fork.
Step Five:
Add the red pepper and continue to simmer low and slow for at least 1 hour.
Step Six:
Serve your homemade beef goulash in bowls, topped with sour cream and cilantro, and enjoy!
Tips
- Ensure you adjust the consistency of your beef goulash. If it's too thick, add a bit of beef broth or water to reach your desired consistency. If it's too thin, let it simmer uncovered to let the excess liquid burn off.
- Remember that leftovers taste even better the next day 🙂
What to Serve With Beef Goulash
This authentic beef goulash pairs wonderfully with a number of hearty sides. Traditional options include serving beef goulash with noodles, which add a tender bite, or creamy mashed potatoes for a comforting contrast.
You can also serve it with crusty bread, perfect for sopping up the sauce. If you prefer something lighter, try serving your homemade beef goulash with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables like green beans or Brussels sprouts.
FAQs
Can I make beef goulash in a slow cooker?
Yes, beef goulash can be made in a slow cooker. Sear the beef first, then transfer it to the slow cooker with the remaining ingredients. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or until the beef is tender.
Is this a gluten-free beef goulash?
Yes! All of the ingredients of this beef goulash are naturally gluten-free.
Can I make a vegan goulash?
While it won’t be traditional, you can make a vegan goulash by substituting the beef with mushrooms, lentils, or tofu and replacing the beef broth with vegetable broth. Additionally, you can serve your vegan goulash without sour cream or replace it with cashew cream or silken tofu.
What's the best way to store leftover beef goulash?
You can store leftover beef goulash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To freeze, let the goulash cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
More Stew Recipes
Stews like this Hungarian beef goulash are excellent dishes that are easy to make, flavorful, and fulfilling. we've gathered up some of our favorite stew recipes to inspire you when you need a healthy and hearty dish that everyone will love.
Beef Goulash
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup white onion diced
- 3 pound chuck roast cubed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup tomatoes diced
- 1 cup potatoes chopped
- 1 cup carrot chopped
- 3 cloves garlic sliced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 ½ cups beef broth
- 1 red bell pepper
- ⅓ cup sour cream for serving
- cilantro for serving
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
- Add the onions and cook until opaque.
- Stir in the chuck roast and season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook until beef cubes are browned on all sides.
- Stir in tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, garlic, red pepper flakes, and beef broth. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat, cover, and cook until the potatoes and carrots are easily pierced with a fork.
- Add the red pepper and continue to simmer low and slow for at least 1 hour.
- Serve your homemade beef goulash in bowls, topped with sour cream and cilantro, and enjoy!
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- Ensure you adjust the consistency of your beef goulash. If it's too thick, add a bit of beef broth or water to reach your desired consistency. If it's too thin, let it simmer uncovered to let the excess liquid burn off.
- Remember that leftovers taste even better the next day 🙂
Recipe nice, but has nothing to do with Hungarian Gulyás. The gulyás method is completely different and the ingredients are different. Perhaps one small tomato for a bit of tartness, but not large quantities. Slow cooked in its own sauce, without added water or vegetables. No potatoes in the authentic gulyás, as they were introduced to Europe only CCA. 200 years ago, long after the gulyás was cooked in Hungary.