Go Back

Beef Goulash

A hearty and comforting dish featuring tender beef chunks simmered in a rich sauce with aromatic spices and fresh vegetables, perfect for cold weather meals.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 9 hours
Total Time 9 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Comfort Food, Hungarian
Calories: 500
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meat and Cooking Fat
  • 1 kg braising or stewing beef, cut into chunks Choose high-quality beef that can withstand long cooking times.
  • 3 tbsp olive oil For browning the beef.
Vegetables and Aromatics
  • 2 onions, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 3 peppers, cut into bite-sized chunks Use any variety of sweet peppers.
Sauce and Seasoning
  • 2 tbsp plain flour
  • 1.5 tbsp mild paprika Adjust spice levels as desired.
  • 400 g tin chopped tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato purée
  • 1 tsp caraway seeds (optional) Can be substituted with cumin.
  • 1 cube beef stock, crumbled
  • 1 tsp caster or granulated sugar
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper To taste.
Garnish and Serving
  • 8 tbsp soured cream To serve.
  • 1/2 small bunch curly or flatleaf parsley, chopped For garnish.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Begin by browning the beef in a frying pan with 2 tbsp of olive oil until it is sealed and browned.
  2. Remove the beef pieces and deglaze the pan using 200ml of water, scraping up any flavorful bits stuck to the bottom.
  3. Add the flour and paprika to the beef chunks, then transfer them into a slow cooker along with the chopped onions, garlic, and peppers.
Cooking
  1. In a jug, combine the chopped tomatoes, tomato purée, caraway seeds (if using), crumbled stock cube, and sugar, mixing well with 450ml of water.
  2. Pour the mixture over the beef and vegetables in the slow cooker.
  3. Cook on low for 7 to 9 hours until the beef is tender.
  4. Season well with salt and pepper to taste, then mix in half of the parsley.
  5. Serve warm, garnished with the remaining parsley and a swirl of soured cream.

Notes

Beef goulash is versatile; serve it with crusty bread, rice, or mashed potatoes. Adjust spice levels and consider adding seasonal vegetables for variation. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.