Hungarian Goulash (Gulyás) 🇭🇺🍲

Hungarian Goulash, or Gulyás, is a traditional Hungarian beef soup made with tender beef, onions, potatoes, carrots, and sweet Hungarian paprika. Unlike a thick stew, authentic-style goulash has a flavorful broth and plenty of vegetables.

It is a comforting one-pot meal that is perfect for a family lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

• 700 g beef chuck, cut into small cubes
• 2 large onions, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or lard
• 2 tablespoons Hungarian sweet paprika
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 1 parsley root, sliced
• 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
• 1 bay leaf
• 1.5 liters beef stock or water
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, optional

How to Make Hungarian Goulash

1. Cook the Onions

Heat the oil or lard in a large heavy pot over medium heat.

Add the onions and cook for about 5–7 minutes, until soft and lightly golden.

2. Add the Paprika

Remove the pot briefly from the heat and stir in the Hungarian paprika.

Add the garlic and mix well. Avoid burning the paprika because it can become bitter.

3. Add the Beef

Add the beef cubes and stir until they are coated with the onion and paprika mixture.

Cook for several minutes.

4. Add the Vegetables and Spices

Add the carrots, parsley root, green pepper, tomato, caraway seeds, and bay leaf.

Season with salt and black pepper.

Pour in the beef stock or water.

5. Simmer

Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat.

Cover and simmer for about 1½ hours, or until the beef is becoming tender.

6. Add the Potatoes

Add the potatoes and continue cooking for another 20–25 minutes, until the beef and vegetables are fully tender.

Add a little extra hot water if needed to keep the consistency soup-like.

7. Serve

Remove the bay leaf and adjust the seasoning.

Serve the goulash hot with fresh bread and a little chopped parsley if desired.

Helpful Tips

• Beef chuck is a great choice for slow cooking.
• Use good-quality Hungarian sweet paprika for the classic flavor.
• Add paprika away from high heat to prevent bitterness.
• Cut the vegetables into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
• Simmer gently rather than boiling rapidly for tender beef.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Hungarian Goulash with fresh bread, pickles, or a simple cucumber salad. Small homemade dumplings can also be added for a more substantial traditional-style meal.

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Total Time: About 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Cuisine: Hungarian
Course: Soup / Main Dish

A Hungarian Classic 🇭🇺

Hungarian Goulash combines tender beef, potatoes, vegetables, and sweet paprika in a rich, flavorful broth. It is one of Hungary’s most recognizable traditional dishes and makes a satisfying homemade meal for the whole family.