This recipe might be a little different than the goulash your mom used to make.
There’s no sour cream, no ground beef, no dried oregano…but there is MAJOR flavor. This recipe is as comforting as our Texas Red Chili but in a whole different way! The flavors are deeply satisfying and will warm you on a chilly night.
HOW TO MAKE AUTHENTIC HUNGARIAN GOULASH
This recipe is adapted from George Lang, who wrote what many consider the definitive history of Hungarian Cuisine.
We love all kinds of paprika, in so many dishes, but this particular recipe calls for Hungarian Sweet Paprika.
Hungarian sweet paprika can be found in the spice section of most well-stocked supermarkets. Smoked paprika or just regular paprika is a fine substitute if you can’t find the sweet variety.
The ingredients in this goulash come together to make the perfect stew.
Authentic Hungarian Goulash is so completely satisfying and is just bursting with flavor. It is perfect any time of the year, but especially good when the weather turns cold outside.
Absolute YUM!
And just look at how the flavor profile builds and builds.
How about some hearty potatoes!
Yes, please!
Take a little effort and whip up some Hungarian egg dumplings (recipe included) and place them on top of the goulash.
The dish cooks down to an incredible stew.
Perfect for any time of the year, but especially during those long, cold winter days, when you could really use something to warm you to the bone!
This is gou-licious! 🙂
Ah! We just love everything about this amazing Authentic Hungarian Goulash recipe!
Authentic Hungarian Goulash
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp bacon fat freshly rendered
- 2 medium onions coarsely chopped
- 2 lbs beef chuck or rump, trimmed of any large pieces of fat, and cut into 1/4-inch cubes
- 1 cloves clove minced
- 1 tsp caraway seeds
- Kosher salt to taste
- 2 tbsp sweet Hungarian paprika or sweet smoked paprika
- 1 quart lager beer 4 cups, room temp
- 1 quart water 4 cups
- 1 large ripe tomato seeded and chopped
- 2 green bell peppers seeded and chopped
- 1 lb yellow potatoes peeled and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
FOR THE HUNGARIAN EGG DUMPLINGS
- 1 large egg
- 3 tbsp rendered bacon fat
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven, melt the fat over medium-low heat, then cook the onions until translucent, stirring, about 10 minutes.
- Add the beef and cook until no longer pink on the outside, about 10 minutes.
- Add the garlic and caraway, season with salt, stir.
- Add the paprika, beer, and water, and stir to blend everything.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2 hours.
- Add the tomato and peppers and taste the stew to see if it needs any more salt (usually, at least a teaspoon).
- Increase the heat to medium and cook until the peppers are soft, about 1 hour.
- Add the potatoes and cook until everything is tender, about 1 hour more, stirring occasionally.
- The goulash will be thicker, similar to a stew.
- Taste and adjust seasonings.
- Serve, if desired, with Hungarian Dumplings (recipe below)
MAKE THE HUNGARIAN DUMPLINGS
- In a medium-size bowl, mix together the egg, 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat, water, and salt.
- Using your hands, gently mix in the flour without working the dough too much, just enough to make it a uniform texture.
- Let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, bring some salted water to a boil in a large pot.
- Drop tablespoon-size pieces of the dough into the water.
- When the dumplings have risen to the surface, remove them with a slotted spoon and drain.
- Heat the remaining bacon fat in a skillet, and fry the dumpling for a few minutes.
- Season with salt and serve with goulash.
Nutrition