Beef goulash is a hearty filling, and warming stew or soup that originated in Hungary. It’s made from beef vegetables, and paprika for a rich, slightly spicy flavor. While goulash recipes can vary, beef goulash typically contains chunks of beef chuck or round, onions, garlic, paprika, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, parsley and noodles. It’s a one-pot comfort food that’s budget friendly, easy to make, and perfect for feeding a crowd.
A Brief History of Goulash
The word “goulash” comes from the Hungarian word “gulyas”, meaning cattle herder or cowboy Goulash traces its origins back centuries to the nomadic herdsmen of Hungary, who made use of every part of the animal while on the move The original goulash was dried meat seasoned simply with salt and cooked over a fire in a cauldron. Paprika was added later after its introduction to Europe in the 16th century. Over time, goulash evolved from a simple dried meat dish to a hearty stew cooked with vegetables, potatoes and noodles. It became a symbol of Hungarian cuisine and culture. The classic recipe was brought to North America by Hungarian immigrants.
What Makes Beef Goulash Different From Beef Stew?
While beef goulash is similar to beef stew, there are a few differences:
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Meat: Beef goulash typically uses chuck or round, cut into 1-inch cubes. Beef stew often uses chunks of chuck, round, or sirloin.
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Flavoring: Paprika is essential for goulash and gives it its characteristic red color. Beef stew relies more on herbs like thyme and rosemary.
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Vegetables: Potatoes and carrots are staples in goulash. Beef stew has a wider variety – potatoes, carrots, peas, corn, celery, etc.
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Thickener: Goulash gets its thickness from reduced broth. Beef stew uses flour or cornstarch as a thickener.
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Pasta: Small egg noodles are standard in goulash. Beef stew may have potatoes, rice or noodles.
How to Make Classic Beef Goulash
Making beef goulash at home is easy. Here’s a simple recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
- 1 14 oz can diced tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
- 8 oz egg noodles
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions:
- Pat the beef cubes dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches. Remove and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium and add the onions. Cook for 2-3 minutes until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the paprika and caraway seeds. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add the beef back to the pot along with the tomatoes, beef broth, potatoes and carrots. Season with salt and pepper.
- Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour until beef is very tender.
- Add the egg noodles and cook 10 minutes until noodles are al dente.
- Adjust seasoning to taste. Garnish with chopped parsley.
For a heartier goulash, try adding mushrooms, bell pepper or cabbage. Substitute pork, chicken, turkey, or lamb for the beef.
What to Serve with Beef Goulash
Beef goulash is usually served as a main course. Here are some tasty sides to serve alongside:
- Buttery egg noodles
- Mashed potatoes
- Fresh crusty bread
- Crunchy coleslaw
- Cucumber salad
- Roasted vegetables like cauliflower or brussels sprouts
A crisp green salad also pairs nicely. For dessert, consider something simple like cookies, brownies or ice cream.
Tips for the Best Beef Goulash
- Use chuck roast or stew meat for tender, beefy flavor.
- Cut the beef into 1-inch cubes to allow the sauce to penetrate.
- Cook the onions slowly until caramelized for sweetness.
- Add paprika in stages, tasting as you go along for desired spice level.
- Simmer gently so the beef becomes fall-apart tender.
- Add the noodles at the end so they don’t get mushy.
What to Serve Goulash With
A few serving suggestions for beef goulash:
- Bed of buttered egg noodles
- Scoop of creamy mashed potatoes
- Dollop of sour cream
- Sprinkle of shredded cheese like cheddar or Parmesan
- Fresh chopped parsley
- Crusty bread for dipping
Goulash is also delicious on its own in a bowl with a spoon!
Watch How to Make It
Goulash comes from the Hungarian word gulyáshús which means “meat prepared by cattleman” and it’s a dish that dates back to the 9th century. 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.
Whatever you call it, this dish is total comfort food and my whole family scrapes the pot clean every time I make it. Heck, I’ll probably make it for dinner tonight!
Now, what’s the difference between American Goulash and spaghetti? American Goulash combines the meat sauce and noodles in one pot to cook together, while the meat sauce and noodles are cooked then served separately in spaghetti.
I love that I literally always have the ingredients on hand in the fridge, freezer, and pantry to make this easy dinner recipe. Usually the hardest part is remembering to thaw the ground beef ahead of time! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Lean ground beef – I prefer to use lean ground beef so there’s no need to drain after browning. Ground turkey works too.
- Onions and Garlic — Provide slow cooked flavor with minimal effort and time.
- Gluten free worcestershire sauce – Not all brands are gluten free, so be sure to check the bottle. I use Lea & Perrins which, at the time of this writing, 10/24, is gluten free in the United States.
- Pepper and seasoned salt – I use homemade seasoned salt. So easy – just 4 ingredients!
- Chicken or beef broth – I usually have chicken broth open in the fridge from using it in other dishes during the week, but feel free to use beef broth if that’s what you’ve got on hand instead.
- Tomato sauce – You’ll want the kind that comes in a can, vs jarred spaghetti sauce.
- Petite diced tomatoes – This adds bursts of fresh tomato flavor to the sauce.
- Italian seasoning – Here’s one of the big differences between American goulash and Hungarian goulash. Instead of paprika, the American version uses Italian seasoning which includes oregano, basil, and dried parsley.
- Bay leaf – This adds another layer of flavor to the goulash.
- Gluten free elbow noodles – I prefer using a corn/rice blend of pasta in this dish, as I feel I can control the texture a bit better than using brown rice pasta.
What I love about this easy American goulash recipe is that it’s incredibly versatile. Think of goulash as a blank slate to add seasonings, spices, and ingredients to in the spirt of traditional Hungarian Goulash. Here are a few ways to switch things up:
- Add shredded sharp cheddar cheese to the top of each bowl for a mac and cheese meets spaghetti flavor.
- Stir in sour cream at the end of the cooking time to make creamy goulash.
- Stir in shredded mozzarella cheese and garnish with diced pepperoni, or your favorite pizza toppings, for a pizza spin. Don’t forget a dusting of parmesan cheese!
- Sneak some veggies into your American goulash by adding a cup or two of frozen riced cauliflower when browning the ground beef.
- Or add 8 ounces of minced fresh mushrooms when browning the ground beef.
- Add shredded cheddar cheese, chili powder, and a can of black beans or kidney beans to the pot to turn it into Chili Mac.
- Use Italian Sausage instead of beef for an Italian-inspired spin!
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Store leftover American goulash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. I find the best way to ensure the noodles don’t overcook when reheating is to warm in the microwave, vs reheating in a pot on the stove.
Classic BEEF GOULASH Recipe | How to Make a Traditional Beef Goulash | Golaž
FAQ
What is beef goulash made of?
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The Cozy Apronhttps://thecozyapron.comBeef Goulash | The Cozy ApronJan 10, 2020 — Beef goulash is a cozy, rustic stew filled with chunks of tender beef, savory vegetables, and fragrant spices such as paprika, ground caraway seeds …
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Gonna Want Secondshttps://www.gonnawantseconds.comBeef Goulash (One Pot Comfort Food!) – Gonna Want SecondsNov 8, 2020 — BEEF GOULASH INGREDIENTS * Beef: We use flank steak in this recipe. It produces a super tender chunk of beef that you’re going to love. * Salt + Pep…
What’s 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 taste of beef goulash?
At its most basic, goulash is a beef stew. but what a glorious one it is. Elevated by the addition of sweet paprika, which gives it a round, fruity yet slightly acidic flavour and rich red colour. Unlike other beef stews that are thickened with flour, a goulash has a thin sauce – in fact, it can be served as a soup.
What does “goulash” mean?
gou·lash ˈgü-ˌläsh. -ˌlash. : a stew made with meat (as beef), vegetables, and paprika. Etymology. from Hungarian gulyás, short for gulyáshús, literally, “herdsman’s meat”
What type of beef should be used for goulash?
Goulash is a stew of beef and vegetables, seasoned with paprika and other spices. Serve with macaroni noodles and you’ve got a meal the whole family will love. Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F.
What ingredients are needed to make beef goulash?
American goulash is typically tomato based and full of macaroni, ground beef, uses seasonings like basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary, and often includes cheese. American goulash is also called American chop suey or slumgullion.
What is the best way to cook beef goulash?
Making Crockpot Goulash is super simple! Brown ground beef, onions and garlic. Add all the ingredients (except noodles), stir, cover and cook on high for 2 hours or on low for 4-5 hours. Prepare your noodles (this also can be done ahead of time and placed in a refrigerator), then add to the slow cooker for about 5-10 minutes to heat through.
Is beef goulash a Hungarian dish?
This Hungarian-style goulash is a thick beef stew that is great served over buttered noodles and garnished with sour cream. Season beef with salt and black pepper.