How to Make Real Hungarian Goulash (No Tomato Paste Here) - A Step-by-Step Guide

When it comes to Hungarian cuisine, one dish that stands out is the traditional goulash. This hearty and flavorful stew has been a staple in Hungarian households for centuries, and it's easy to understand why. With a rich, savory broth, tender chunks of beef, and a medley of aromatic spices, goulash is the ultimate comfort food.

While there are countless variations of goulash, the authentic Hungarian version is a far cry from the tomato-based versions often found in other countries. I...

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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons lard
  • 2 large onions, finely sliced
  • 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons Hungarian paprika
  • 1 cup water, or as needed
  • salt and ground black pepper to taste

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 2 hrs 5 mins
  • Total Time: 2 hrs 20 mins
  • Servings: 4

  • Melt lard in a large pot over medium heat. Cook and stir onions in hot lard until soft and translucent, 5 to 8 minutes.
  • Stir beef and paprika into onions. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add 1 cup water and simmer, adding more water if moisture gets too low, until meat falls apart and onion sauce is thick, about 1 hour more. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Nutrition

    348 cal.

    • Total Fat: 20g
    • Saturated Fat: 8g
    • Cholesterol: 111mg
    • Sodium: 76mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 9g
    • Dietary Fiber: 3g
    • Total Sugars: 4g
    • Protein: 32g
    • Vitamin C: 8mg
    • Calcium: 38mg
    • Iron: 5mg
    • Potassium: 451mg