This Ina Garten Hungarian Goulash Recipe is a rich and hearty dinner recipe, which includes beef chuck and sweet paprika. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, ready in about 1 hour and 50 minutes.
Ina Garten Hungarian Goulash Recipe Ingredients
- 3 lbs beef chuck, cut into large chunks
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- Salt + black pepper
- 3 Tbsp flour
- 2 Tbsp oil
- 2 onions, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 roasted red bell peppers, sliced
- 3 Tbsp sweet paprika
- 2 tsp caraway seeds, lightly crushed
- 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 (15 oz) can whole tomatoes, crushed by hand
- 6 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and chopped
- ½ cup sour cream
- Chopped parsley, to serve
How To Make Ina Garten Hungarian Goulash Recipe
- Crisp the bacon: In a large pot, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Brown the beef: Season the beef chunks with salt and pepper. In the same pot, brown the beef in batches, adding oil if needed. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables and spices: Stir in flour, then add chopped onions, garlic, sliced roasted peppers, paprika, and caraway seeds. Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Deglaze and simmer: Add red wine vinegar, crushed tomatoes, and beef broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour.
- Add potatoes and bacon: Stir in the chopped potatoes and reserved bacon. Simmer for another 30 minutes until the potatoes and beef are tender.
- Finish and serve: Turn off the heat and stir in sour cream. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.

Recipe Tips
-
What cut of beef works best?
Beef chuck is ideal because it becomes tender and flavorful with long simmering. -
Can I use regular paprika instead of sweet?
Yes, but sweet paprika gives the dish its authentic flavor. Smoked paprika can add extra depth. -
How to make it spicier:
Add a pinch of hot paprika or red pepper flakes if you prefer more heat. -
Can I make this ahead?
Absolutely! Goulash tastes even better the next day. Reheat gently on the stove. -
What to do with leftovers:
Store in the fridge or freeze portions for quick future meals.
What To Serve With Hungarian Goulash
This dish is hearty on its own, but a few sides make it even better. Serve it with:
- Buttered egg noodles
- Crusty rye bread
- Sour cream and chive mashed potatoes
- Cucumber salad
- Steamed green beans
How To Store Hungarian Goulash
Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Let cool completely, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove.
Hungarian Goulash Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 507 kcal
- Protein: 32g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 5g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes, after browning the meat and veggies, transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6–8 hours.
Why is my goulash watery?
Make sure to simmer uncovered to reduce the broth and concentrate flavors.
Can I use fresh peppers instead of roasted?
Yes, sauté fresh bell peppers with the onions for a similar effect.
Is Hungarian goulash gluten-free?
Not as written, but you can skip the flour or use a gluten-free thickener.
How do I thicken the stew more?
Simmer longer uncovered, or mash a few potato pieces into the broth.
Try More Recipes:
Ina Garten Hungarian Goulash Recipe
Description
Rich beef stew layered with smoky paprika, sweet peppers, and just enough vinegar to keep it balanced.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Crisp bacon in a large pot; remove and set aside.
- Season and brown beef in batches. Add oil as needed.
- Stir in flour, then onions, garlic, peppers, paprika, and caraway. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Add vinegar, tomatoes, and broth. Bring to boil, then simmer 1 hour.
- Add potatoes and bacon. Simmer 30 minutes more.
- Stir in sour cream off heat. Garnish with parsley and serve.
