1. Recipes

How to Make Chef John's Beef Goulash - A Step-by-Step Guide

There's nothing quite like the warm, comforting flavors of a hearty beef goulash on a chilly evening. This traditional Hungarian dish has been enjoyed for generations, and for good reason. The combination of tender beef, sweet paprika, and tangy tomatoes creates a rich and flavorful stew that is perfect for satisfying even the heartiest of appetites.

Chef John's beef goulash recipe is a favorite among home cooks and food enthusiasts alike. With its simple and straightforward ingredien...

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Ingredients

  • 2 ½ pounds boneless beef chuck roast, cut into 2-inch cubes
  • salt and ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 onions, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons Hungarian paprika
  • 2 teaspoons caraway seeds, crushed
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
  • ½ teaspoon ground thyme
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 4 cups chicken broth, divided
  • ¼ cup tomato paste
  • 3 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon white sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1 bay leaf

Information

  • Prep Time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 2 hrs
  • Total Time: 2 hrs 30 mins
  • Servings: 4
  • Yield: 4 servings

  • Gather all ingredients.
  • Season beef with salt and black pepper.
  • Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over high heat; cook and stir beef in hot oil in batches until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch.
  • Transfer to a large stockpot and reserve drippings in the skillet.
  • Return skillet to medium heat; stir onions into the reserved drippings, drizzle olive oil over onions, season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook until onion has softened, about 5 minutes. Transfer to the stockpot with beef.
  • Combine paprika, caraway seeds, black pepper, marjoram, thyme, and cayenne pepper in the skillet and toast over medium heat until fragrant, about 3 minutes.
  • Add 1 cup chicken broth and stir; transfer to the beef and onion mixture.
  • Stir 3 cups chicken broth into beef mixture. Add tomato paste, garlic, vinegar, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and bay leaf; place stockpot over high heat and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to low and simmer until a fork inserts easily into the meat, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

    • Nutrition

    573 cal.

    • Total Fat: 41g
    • Saturated Fat: 14g
    • Cholesterol: 134mg
    • Sodium: 1757mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 13g
    • Dietary Fiber: 2g
    • Total Sugars: 8g
    • Protein: 36g
    • Vitamin C: 9mg
    • Calcium: 58mg
    • Iron: 5mg
    • Potassium: 580mg

    Categories

    Main recipes
    Stew recipes
    European recipes
    Hungarian recipes
    Comfort food recipes