Hungarian Goulash (Gulyás) – Traditional Beef Stew-Soup 🇭🇺🍲

Hungarian Goulash, or Gulyás, is a traditional Hungarian dish made with tender beef, onions, paprika, potatoes, carrots, and classic spices. Unlike a thick stew, traditional goulash has a flavorful broth and is served as a hearty soup.

It is a comforting one-pot meal that brings together some of Hungary’s most familiar flavors.

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 chopped onions and cook 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, as it can become bitter.

3. Add the Beef

Add the beef cubes and stir until they are well 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 begins to become tender.

6. Add the Potatoes

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

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

7. Serve

Remove the bay leaf and taste for seasoning.

Serve the goulash hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Fresh bread makes a delicious accompaniment.

Helpful Tips

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

Serving Suggestions

Hungarian Goulash can be served with fresh crusty bread, pickles, or a simple cucumber salad. For a more traditional presentation, small homemade dumplings can also be added to the soup.

Recipe Details

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

A True Hungarian Classic 🇭🇺

Hungarian Goulash is a hearty beef soup with a rich paprika flavor and plenty of tender vegetables. Simple ingredients and slow cooking create a comforting traditional meal that is perfect for sharing with family.