Delicious Beef Goulash Recipe A Hungarian Classic

Beef goulash is originally a Hungarian beef and vegetable stew slow-cooked by herdsmen aka Hungarian shepherds. The word goulash is derived from the Hungarian word ‘guliyas’, which means herdsmen. Over the years this dish has come to be known as goulash meat. The best way to cook a goulash is to slow cook it braised over the stovetop or oven but the slow cooker works great too. Meat falling off the bones, soaking up all those aromatic spices and juices. How can you not like such melt-in-the-mouth meat?

Beef Goulash

Spice mix – Combine the whole spices with a mortar and pestle and crush until fairly ground but still quite coarse – set aside.Pro tip – you can also use a food processor but do not make a fine powder.

Season – Cut the beef into 2-inch pieces. Season with salt and pepper. Then add flour and toss well to coat all the pieces well. Dust off excess.Pro tip – the flour will help thicken the gravy but dusting off excess will prevent it from burning during searing. Sear – Heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet. Sear the floured beef pieces on all sides. Remove from the pan – keep warmPro tip – Do not crowd the pan, do this in batches so you sear not stew the meat. Saute – In the same skillet over medium heat, add the remaining oil and saute the onions and garlic until the onions are translucent. Sauce – add the vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste, followed by the broth. Deglaze the pan and bring it to a boil.

Slow cook – Transfer everything to the slow cooker. Add the meat, followed by the sauce, spices, and remaining ingredients. Cover and cook until fork tender. This will take about 4 to 5 hours on high or 6 to 8 hours on low.Pro tip – if you want a thicker sauce, add a cornstarch slurry (1 tsp of cornstarch with 1/4 cup water) at the final hour of cooking.

Stovetop – Use a Dutch oven to sear the meat and saute the veggies. Then, return the beef pieces to the pan along with any remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 1 ½ to 2 hours stirring every 20 minutes.Pro tip – you may need to add additional water if the braising liquid is reduced. Oven – Instead of cooking on the stovetop, cover the pan with aluminum foil and transfer to a preheated oven at 325℉/160℃/Gas Mark 3 for 2½ to 3 hours.Pro tip – cover the pan tightly to keep all the steam in otherwise you will lose braising liquid.

Creative ways to serve beef goulash

Beef goulash is a hearty and flavorful dish that can be presented in various creative ways. Here are some imaginative ideas to serve beef goulash:

Stuffed Bell Peppers: Cut the tops off bell peppers, remove the seeds, and stuff them with beef goulash. Bake until the peppers are tender and the goulash is bubbling. Sliders: Serve mini goulash sliders using tiny buns or rolls. Top the goulash with a slice of cheese and pickles for a delicious handheld treat. Tacos: Fill taco shells or tortillas with beef goulash and top with shredded cheese, lettuce, diced tomatoes, and sour cream for a unique twist on tacos. Goulash Pie: Layer beef goulash in a pie dish and top it with mashed potatoes or puff pastry. Bake until the topping is golden brown and crispy. Stuffed Baked Potatoes: Hollow out baked potatoes and fill them with beef goulash. Top with cheese, sour cream, and green onions for a hearty and comforting meal. Goulash Pasta Bake: Mix beef goulash with cooked pasta, layer it in a baking dish with cheese, and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Goulash Soup Bowls: Hollow out small round loaves of bread, ladle beef goulash into the bread bowls, and serve with a side of bread for dipping. Goulash Quesadillas: Sandwich beef goulash between two tortillas with shredded cheese, then grill until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crispy. Goulash Spring Rolls: Fill spring roll wrappers with beef goulash and vegetables, then roll and fry them for a tasty and unexpected appetizer. Goulash Stuffed Cabbage Rolls: Wrap beef goulash in blanched cabbage leaves and bake them in a tomato sauce until tender. Goulash Skillet Dip: Spread beef goulash in a cast-iron skillet, top with shredded cheese, and bake until the cheese is bubbly. Serve with tortilla chips or crusty bread for dipping.