Late Winter Recipe: Beef Goulash (2024)

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Nealey Dozier

Nealey Dozier

Nealey Dozier is a former wedding planner turned chef, culinary instructor, recipe developer, and food writer. She is based in Atlanta. You can find more of her Southern adventures in eating and entertaining at www.dixiecaviar.com.

published Feb 28, 2013

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Late Winter Recipe: Beef Goulash (1)

Serves6

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Late Winter Recipe: Beef Goulash (2)

Goulash. Just saying it sounds funny, right? But what exactly is it, anyways? Well, it really depends on who, or where, you ask. As for my version, I may not be able to claim its history or origin, but I can definitely claim it as delicious. That’s good enough for me!

Technically there is no definitive recipe for goulash. There are as many variations as there are cooks, each one different from the last. The two most well-known versions (at least to me) are Hungarian goulash and American goulash. Per usual, our stateside representation bears little resemblance to its Eastern European counterpart, except for a few similar ingredients, and well, the name.

Hungarian goulash, or gulyás, is at its core a soup-stew hybrid, and it can probably be agreed upon that — at the bare minimum — it contains a type of stewing meat along with onions and Hungarian sweet paprika. The rest of the ingredients, however, are up for debate. During my research I came across countless recipes claiming to be authentic: some with tomatoes, carrots or parsnips, and others with peppers, potatoes or none of the above. (So what did they have in common? They all claimed the others were frauds!)

American goulash on the other hand, more closely resembles “hamburger mac” than “savory European stew.” Pick up any old community cookbook and you’re guaranteed to find a recipe comprised of ground beef, tomato sauce, and elbow noodles. Apparently it was a school cafeteria staple back in the day. (I wish!)

After studying up, I spent some time contemplating the goulash of my dreams. Since my recipe wasn’t going to be authentic, per se, I knew it was imperative that it be really, really good. I began my quest by compiling a laundry list of ingredients to consider, ranging from essential to unnecessary. I made a separate list containing the physical qualities I deemed critical: a thick, glossy sauce; a prominent “Eastern European” sweet-and-savory flavor; and visible, melt-in-your-mouth morsels of beef. I cross-referenced these lists with a few of my best “braised” recipes (including a hearty beef and been chili and a classic beef stew) in order to come up with the ultimate combination of taste and technique.

I started with good-quality ingredients, beginning first and foremost with the meat. I chose thick applewood-smoked bacon along with a chuck-eye roast, a cut that is especially tender and flavorful when stewed. I also bought a brand-spanking-new tin of Hungarian paprika, because an dusty can from the back of my spice cabinet just wouldn’t do. I thawed the last container of prized beef stock I’d been hoarding, to add a little “something special” at the end. With my ingredients in order, I was ready to begin.

As with any great braise, patience is absolutely key. The success of this recipe comes from its complexity, a result of slowly and carefully building layers of flavor in each and every step. Time consuming? Yes. Totally worth it? Absolutely. And hey, this may not be “authentic” Hungarian goulash (according to Wikipedia it is actually pörkölt, but who would even know to Google search that on this side of the pond) but even so, it’s still authentic to me.

This hearty, well-rounded stew is guaranteed to keep you warm on the chilliest of days. I consider it the perfect meal to usher out Old Man Winter, because pretty soon it’ll be time to start gearing up for spring!

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Beef Goulash

Serves 6

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 pounds

    boneless beef chuck (preferably chuck-eye roast or chuck tender)

  • 4 ounces

    (about 4 thick-cut slices) bacon, roughly chopped

  • Neutral cooking oil, such as canola or safflower

  • 3

    yellow onions (about 1 pound), sliced into thin half moons

  • 4 to 5 cloves

    garlic, minced or pressed

  • 2 teaspoons

    caraway seeds (optional)

  • 3 tablespoons

    Hungarian sweet paprika

  • 2 tablespoons

    tomato paste

  • 2 teaspoons

    dried marjoram

  • 1/2 cup

    dry red wine, such as Chianti or Zinfandel

  • 2 cups

    good-quality chicken stock, preferably homemade

  • 1 1/2 cups

    good-quality beef stock, preferably homemade (See Recipe Notes)

  • 2

    red bell peppers, sliced lengthwise into thin strips

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • 12 ounces

    wide egg noodles, cooked according package directions

  • 8 ounces

    sour cream, for serving

  • Fresh dill, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 300°F.

  2. Cut beef into 1-inch cubes. (You can place the meat in the freezer for thirty to forty minutes to make make it easier to cut. Just allow it to come to room temperature before cooking.) Thoroughly pat dry with paper towels and season generously with kosher salt and pepper.

  3. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and fry until crisp and golden, about 7-9 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving the remaining fat in the pot, and set aside.

  4. Add 1/3 of the beef cubes to the bacon fat (do not stir or disturb the meat) and cook until the bottoms are seared and deep golden brown (almost black), about 3-5 minutes. Turn beef and continue cooking until remaining sides are browned, another 3-5 minutes. Remove the beef to a separate bowl.

  5. Allow the fat in the pan to reheat for a minute or so (and to cook out any residual meat juices before continuing. Add the next 1/3 of beef and a glug or two of oil if the pot seems dry. Repeat the searing process until all the meat is browned and set the bowl aside.

  6. Lower the heat to medium and add a couple tablespoons oil. Add the onions and sauté, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden, about 8-10 minutes. Add the garlic and caraway seeds and sauté for another minute or so. Stir in the paprika, tomato paste, and marjoram until combined.

  7. Pour in the wine and increase heat to high. Scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to remove any leftover browned bits. Add stocks, browned beef, and reserved bacon to the pot and bring mixture to a boil. Cover and transfer to oven. Cook for 1 hour, then stir in the bell peppers. Return to the oven and continue cooking until the meat is quite tender, another 45 minutes to an hour. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

  8. Ladle over cooked egg noodles, and serve with a big dollop of sour cream and a sprig of fresh dill. This recipe is even better made a day or two in advance. Just reheat in the same Dutch oven over medium-low to medium until warmed through.

Recipe Notes

If you don't have access to homemade or good-quality beef stock, replace it with an additional 1 1/2 cups chicken stock.

Related: Quick Tip: Choosing the Best Meat For Beef Stew

(Images: Nealey Dozier)

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Beef

Braising

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Main Dish

Late Winter Recipe: Beef Goulash (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between American Goulash and Hungarian goulash? ›

Hungarian Goulash is a thick meat and vegetable stew with a broth that's heavily seasoned with paprika, while American Goulash is a quick dish made from ground beef, tomato sauce, herbs, and elbow macaroni noodles. It also goes by the name of American Chop Suey.

What is the difference between beef stew and beef goulash? ›

Hungarian goulash is very similar to beef stew, but there are some differences. While a typical stew consists of slow braising chunks of meat with root vegetables in a seasoned broth, goulash uses spices such as caraway, cumin, paprika, and peppers which really enhance and alter the flavor from a classic beef stew.

What is the difference between beef stroganoff and beef goulash? ›

What's the difference between stroganoff and goulash? Traditional goulash is a type of soup or stew that uses a cheaper cut of meat suitable for slow cooking as well as peppers. Meanwhile, stroganoff is a creamy dish that uses higher-quality meat and mushrooms.

Can I freeze homemade goulash? ›

Yes! This One Pot American Goulash recipe is very freezer-friendly. Just make sure to cool the goulash completely in the refrigerator first, then transfer to the freezer for long term storage. I suggest freezing goulash for three months maximum.

What is original goulash made of? ›

The classic “kettle goulash” is prepared by frying cubes of beef or mutton with onions in lard. Garlic, caraway seeds, tomatoes, green peppers, and potatoes complete the stew. Székely gulyás, another Hungarian specialty, is a stew of pork and sauerkraut flavoured with tomatoes, onions, caraway seeds, and sour cream.

What is German goulash made of? ›

A juicy and tender beef stew made with paprika, peppers, and a red wine sauce. Originally goulash (gulyás) is from Hungary but over the centuries this traditional stew obviously traveled into different cuisines, including German cuisine. Hungarian goulash has potatoes and sometimes carrots, but German goulash does not.

Is it better to use beef broth or stock for stew? ›

Ideally, you'll use beef stock, but beef broth is fine too. Veal stock would be divine. Instant bouillon paste will add flavor and is perfectly acceptable. Indeed, even if all you have is chicken stock, it will still be better than water and won't make your beef stew taste like chicken soup.

Why do people put sugar in goulash? ›

The secret to this recipe is adding a little sugar. It's an important step because it mellows the acidity of the tomatoes.

How to make goulash thicker? ›

Whisk a teaspoon of flour in a little cold water to make a slurry, then stir into the stew as it's cooking. Don't add dry flour directly to the stew as it may clump. After adding the slurry, bring the stew to boil. This will cook out the flour taste and allow the starch to swell.

Is goulash the same as Beefaroni? ›

Beefaroni is the same thing as American Goulash – the difference in what you call it is mostly regional.

What is goulash called in America? ›

American goulash, sometimes called slumgullion, is an American comfort food dish, similar to American chop suey.

What do you serve with goulash? ›

Serve up a hearty goulash for the ultimate comforting stew on winter nights. Searching for the perfect accompaniment? Try mashed potato, dumplings or your favourite veg.

What is slumgullion made of? ›

Ground beef, macaroni and tomato, great flavor and a quick cooking time.

Is hamburger helper the same as goulash? ›

Hungarian goulash is a thick soup with meat and vegetables, usually seasoned with paprika. American goulash is very different. It generally has tomato sauce, macaroni and beef. It's almost like a homemade hamburger helper.

What are the two types of goulash? ›

There are two kinds of goulash: Hungarian goulash, which calls for the slow-simmered beef to be served alongside egg noodles, and American goulash, which pulls in ground beef and cooks the noodles in the pot alongside the sauce.

Why is American Goulash so different? ›

American goulash is more of a pasta and ground beef dish

A comfort classic in the U.S., American goulash bears little relation to its Hungarian predecessor. Chunks of beef or pork are replaced by ground meat, drowned in a tomato sauce over macaroni.

What is American Goulash made of? ›

This hardy American Goulash Recipe is one of my kids' favorites. It is a classic dish from our childhoods similar to Hamburger Helper, with ground beef and elbow macaroni cooked in a savory tomato sauce and topped with cheese. It's so easy to make this comforting one-pot meal.

What is the Hungarian name for goulash? ›

The Hungarian word for this delicious dish is gulyáshús, from gulyás, "herdsman," and hús, "meat." Historically, goulash was a stew cooked by shepherds using lamb or beef. The paprika came later, but today it's a vital part of an authentic goulash.

What is the difference between Austrian and Hungarian goulash? ›

Goulash became popular in Austria during the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. Of course, the Austrians modified it to make it their own. They took out the carrots and potatoes from the stew. However, they did not change the two most important ingredients: sweet Hungarian paprika and lots of onions.

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