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.
Need more ideas? Check out What To Serve With Goulash for 15 delicious side dishes.
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.
Can I make it without Instant Pot?
Yes you can. For step-by-step instructions a video guide, chicken out this Beef Goulash recipe.
More 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
This had a lot of liquid. I used about a tablespoon of sweet Hungarian paprika, and I think it needed more. But it was very tasty! I thickened the sauce with some cornstarch and we put it over cooked pasta shells. I will make this again. I have a few more complicated Goulash recipes from various types depending on which country it relates to, that are very good but this one is so much easier. The gravy from the extra liquid was delish. I used ribeye because that's what I had on hand, but chuck would have been a better choice because my meat was a little dry. I think 20 minutes on high might be a little longer than it needs. Thank you for a great recipe.
Glad you like it 🙂