Goulash is a traditional Hungarian stew with vegetables that is very common throughout all of Central Europe.
It is very tasty and flavorful thanks to the use of paprika and other spices.
Instant Pot Goulash is one of the best beef recipes you can make in your pressure cooker. And this rich and warm dish can be on your dinner table in less than an hour!
This Instant Pot Goulash recipe is filling and nutritious. All the benefits of a great comfort food without added cream or butter!
This soul-warming dish is ideal for cold winter nights, but also a gourmet treat to serve through the year. Unlike the traditional preparation method, with the Instant Pot, you can make your beef goulash in the peak of summer, and without any sweat.
Table of Contents
Which Meat Should I Use?
I always use beef for goulash, as for me it works the best. I would recommend a fairly lean cut of beef which just a little bit of fat. You don’t want to trim all the fat or you will miss out on a ton of flavor.
Top round or beef chuck are good cuts to use for this recipe. You can also purchase stew meat to save time on prep since it’s pre-cut.
If you want to experiment, you can use pork or lamb. If you are using pork or lamb you can add different herbs to make it more interesting and compliment the type of meat you are using.
For example, pork pairs really well with bay leaf. Lamb on the other hand will be perfect if you add rosemary or thyme.
Can I Use Canned Tomatoes?
Yes, canned tomatoes are a great option, especially when tomatoes aren’t in season.
Even for slow cooking recipes like Instant Pot ropa vieja I'm using canned tomatoes and get a great results.
For this recipe, you can use either canned whole tomatoes and dice them yourself, or canned diced tomatoes.
If you use canned tomatoes, you should drain most of the liquid before adding to the Instant Pot so it’s not too soupy. One can should be equal to about 2 large tomatoes.
What Else Can Be Added?
Beef goulash is traditionally made with meat and vegetables like carrots and onion. Still, some like to toss in few potatoes, that are cubed or a handful of rice for a heartier, more complete meal.
If you choose to add potatoes or rice, I would suggest preparing them separately and then mixing them in at the end, to make sure the potatoes or rice are cooked properly.
How to Serve Goulash?
This Instant Pot goulash is great served with mashed or boiled potatoes, over jasmine rice, or over riced cauliflower.
You can also serve it as is as instead of soup. It’s a pretty hearty stew, even without having to add potatoes or rice! And, it’s a one-pot meal, so it’s great for limiting clean up.
Similar recipes
If you like this recipe, check out this Instant Pot Jewish brisket and the Instant Pot beef stew.
For more one-pot meals, the Instant Pot venison Roast or the Instant Pot Cholent are both great options! Must-try!
Hw to make Goulash
First, gather your ingredients:
In Instant Pot on Saute, heat olive oil. Cook the beef and onions until the beef is browned.
Add the rest of the ingredients.
Lock lid into place. Select High pressure and cook for 20 minutes.
Once the cooking cycle is done, wait for a natural pressure release, which may take up to 20 minutes.
Serve warm.
Instant Pot Beef Recipes
Instant Pot Hawaiian Beef Stew
Instant Pot Goulash
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef meat chopped
- 1½ cup beef stock
- 2 tomatoes chopped
- 2 carrots chopped
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- Paprika to taste
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pour olive oil into your Instant Pot and press "saute".
- Add beef and onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until the beef is browned.
- Add salt, pepper, carrots, tomatoes, paprika and beef stock.
- Close the lid and cook at high pressure for 20 minutes.
- When cooking time ends, wait for a natural pressure release.
- Open the lid and enjoy 🙂
Nutrition
First time I had this was in Germany, 60's...I can't seem to find it here since then, so I'm going to try yours out thank you
Great! I hope it lives up to the memory of the Goulash you had in Germany.
Hi Corrie,
Just wondering, when you say beef meat, what cut are you using for this goulash recipe? Are you using chuck?
Yes, I'd usually use chuck or top round.
Corrie, did you use sweet or smoked paprika? If there is really no taste differential, I think I’ll use the one reviewer’s suggestion of 1&1 tbls. I would like to make it per what paprika flavor you used. I’m Thanks.
Sweet paprika for this recipe
Enjoyed this meal quite a bit. Pretty simple to make. I did cook the potatoes separately and added them at the end. I also added a little bit of flour to thicken up the juices. Just delicious.
Good ideas, sounds delicious!
Wonderful recipe. I made it last night. My wife and I loved it. Then tonight, by demand, I made it again.
Wow, two nights in a row! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Wonderful article! My Mom used to make this for us in winter. Thanks!
Thank you! It's a nostalgic comfort food for me as well 🙂
Why didn’t I cook this earlier?! Couldn’t be less work and the result is great (mixed loads of paprika with some smoked paprika). Thank you for the recipe
You're very welcome, glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Will you please send me the 1001 insta pot recipes I erased the email by accident.
Robert Torbett
Sure 🙂 Here it is : 1001 Instant Pot recipes
This is a pretty good goulash recipe. But growing up with this from my German mom, who had the recipe handed down from her mom and so on, I can't help but mention that there are not enough onions or paprika. I was always told that the onions and meat were a one to one ratio. And at least 3 tablespoons of hungarian paprika. I've tried other types like McCormick but Szged is the only paprika that gives the most authentic taste.
Thank you for the suggestions! I love to find ways to make my dishes more authentic.
I agree. Make a pile of beef cubes, then another equally big pile of finely diced white onion. White onions will disintegrate into a nice gravy, but yellow onions will not. We don't use tomatoes or carrots, but do sometime add peppers/chiles.
Love the idea about the white onions, thanks for the tip!
Sounds Delicious
Thank you! It really is. You should try it 🙂
Making it immediately
Glad to hear it, hope you enjoy!