Slow-Cooked Hungarian Beef Goulash

Probably the most well-known Hungarian dish – this slow cooked Hungarian beef goulash is hearty, warming and so delicious. Slow cooked for fall-apart tenderness.

I thought it was time to pull this one out of the archives again as it’s so flippin good.

Tender chunks of beef in a thick tomato and pepper sauce – spiced with beautiful smoky paprika (don’t go easy on the paprika now – this stew can take plenty).

I’ll happily admit – this isn’t a 100% authentic goulash. Traditional goulash, I’m told, is more of a soup that doesn’t rely on flour for thickening. According to Wiki, tomato is also a fairly modern addition.

There seems to be a number of Hungarian and non-Hungarian variations out there (according to Gundel’s Hungarian cookbook) some using beans, wine, flour, potatoes and some are extremely simple.

This is my version, passed down to me from my dad, which I think he got from his dad (I must ask him that!).

I like to add slices of bell pepper, then serve with pappardelle pasta and lots of sour cream.

I’ve been making this Slow-Cooked Hungarian Beef Goulash for years, and I’m usually clamouring to get my dutch oven out as soon as the first leaves start to turn golden on the trees.

I love making stews in a dutch oven (<– affiliate link) as I find they seem to thicken a little better. Also, the initial browning of the beef means the base of the pan gets covered in a dark brown crispy bits. It might seem a bit alarming at first (as it looks like it’s sticking), but a few minutes after pouring the stock and canned tomatoes in and you’ll find you can stir all of those bits into the goulash – which results in a richer flavour.

I love how the sauce bubbles away and splashes the sides of the pan as it’s cooking in the oven.  It WILL look dark and covered in well-cooked sauce when it comes out, but you’ve got to admit – it does look pretty inviting:

Although I used my dutch oven pan for this, you can also use a slow cooker. Simply fry everything off up to step 3, reduce the amount of stock by half a cup, and cook on medium for 4-5 hours or low for 5-7 hours.

The Slow-Cooked Hungarian Beef Goulash Recipe:

Slow-Cooked Hungarian Beef Goulash

Probably the most well-known Hungarian dish - goulash is hearty, warming and so delicious.

4.86 from 7 votes

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Prep Time: 30 mins

Cook Time: 4 hrs 15 mins

Total Time: 4 hrs 45 mins

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: British, Hungarian

Keyword: autumn, Casserole, Comfort Food, homemade, winter

Servings: 8 portions

Author: Nicky Corbishley

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 lb (900g) beef braising steak, cut into bite-size chunks
• 2 tbsp plain (all-purpose) flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 2 brown onions peeled and diced
• 2 fat cloves garlic peeled and minced
• 2 tbsp tomato puree
• 2 tbsp paprika
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika just use regular if you don't have smoked
• large pinch of salt and pepper
• 28 oz (800g/two tins) canned chopped tomatoes in juice
• 2 1/4 cups (600ml) hot beef stock (water plus 2 stock cubes is fine)
• 1 tbsp honey optional - this is just to neutralize some of the acidity from the tomatoes
• 2 red bell peppers deseeded and sliced
• 1 cup (225ml) sour cream

To Serve:

• Cooked pasta - such as pappardelle, tagliatelle or penne
• handful of chopped parsley
• Extra sour cream

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 170C/325F. Heat up the oil in your dutch oven or oven-friendly casserole dish. Dredge the beef in the flour, salt and pepper and fry in 2-3 batches until well-browned. Once browned, remove from the pan and place in a bowl.
• Turn down the heat and place the onions in the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring (try to scrape up a some of the brown bits that may have stuck to the bottom of the pan. Keep the heat low to ensure it doesn't burn). Add in the garlic and tomato puree, stir, then add the beef back in.
• Sprinkle the beef with the paprika, salt and pepper and stir to coat, then pour in the canned tomatoes, beef stock and honey. Stir and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pan and stir. Then place a lid on and place in the oven to cook for 3 hours 30 minutes.
• Check and stir 2 or 3 times during cooking to ensure nothing is sticking and that there is still plenty of liquid (you can add a splash of water if needed).
• After 3 and 1/2 hours, add in the peppers, stir and put back in the oven for 30 minutes.
• Take out of the oven, stir, then swirl the soured cream on top, sprinkle with parsley and serve with pasta and extra sour cream.

Recipe Notes

Can I make Goulash in a slow cooker?

Yes. Simply fry everything off up to step 3, reduce the amount of stock by half a cup, and cook on medium for 4-5 hours or low for 5-7 hours.

Can I make this ahead?

Yes, cook the goulash, then cool, cover and refrigerate for up to two days. Reheat on the hob or in the oven at 170c/325f for 25-30 minutes (covered) stirring occasionally, until piping hot throughout.

Can I freeze Goulash?

Yes, cook the goulash, then cool, cover and freeze. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat on the hob or in the oven at 170c/325f for 25-30 minutes (covered) stirring occasionally, until piping hot throughout.

Nutritional information is per serving, not including the serving suggestions of pasta and extra soured cream.

Nutritional Information

Nutrition Facts

Slow-Cooked Hungarian Beef Goulash

Amount Per Serving

Calories 462 Calories from Fat 297

% Daily Value*

Fat 33g51%

Saturated Fat 16g80%

Cholesterol 94mg31%

Sodium 548mg23%

Potassium 815mg23%

Carbohydrates 18g6%

Fiber 4g16%

Sugar 10g11%

Protein 23g46%

Vitamin A 2610IU52%

Vitamin C 50.2mg61%

Calcium 101mg10%

Iron 4.4mg24%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Equipment:

In order to make this Hungarian Beef Goulash recipe you will need:

• • A good Kitchen knife. I have recently bought this Dalstrong one and love it.
  • Chopping Board
  • Garlic Press
  • Casserole pan
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Measuring Jug
  • Wooden or Silicon Coated Spoons.  We have just bought these and love them.

This recipe was first posted in December 2015. Updated in August 2019 with added tips and for general housekeeping.

I first made this recipe on Lucy’s gorgeous Craftberry Bush blog a few years back. If you haven’t seen her site already,  I’d definitely recommend checking it out – she’s got so many gorgeous craft ideas, and you should see her Christmas home tours – totally jaw dropping! 

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links – which means if you buy the product I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you). If you do buy, then thank you! That’s what helps us to keep Kitchen Sanctuary running. The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors. For more information please see our Terms & Conditions.