Slow Cooker Hungarian Goulash (Printable Version)
Tender beef cubes slow-cooked in a rich, paprika-infused sauce with vegetables for ultimate comfort food.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 large onions, finely chopped
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 large carrots, sliced
05 - 2 red bell peppers, chopped
06 - 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
07 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
→ Spices & Seasonings
08 - 3 tbsp sweet Hungarian paprika
09 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
10 - 1 tsp caraway seeds
11 - 1 tsp dried marjoram
12 - 2 tsp salt
13 - ½ tsp black pepper
14 - 2 bay leaves
→ Liquids
15 - 4 cups beef broth
16 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
→ To Finish
17 - 2 tbsp flour (optional, for thickening)
18 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
# Directions:
01 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes in batches until well-seared on all sides. Transfer seared beef to the slow cooker.
02 - Add onions, garlic, carrots, bell peppers, potatoes, and diced tomatoes to the slow cooker with the beef.
03 - Sprinkle in both types of paprika, caraway seeds, marjoram, salt, pepper, and bay leaves over the ingredients.
04 - Pour in beef broth and add tomato paste. Stir well to combine all ingredients and distribute seasonings evenly.
05 - Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 4 hours, until beef is very tender and vegetables are cooked through.
06 - For a thicker stew, whisk flour with a little cold water to make a slurry, then stir into the goulash during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
07 - Remove bay leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley. Accompany with crusty bread, egg noodles, or dumplings.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The slow cooker does almost all the work while your house fills with the most incredible aroma
- Leftovers taste even better, making it perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd
02 -
- Don't skip the searing step, it transforms the flavor from ordinary beef stew to something extraordinary
- The caraway seeds are the secret ingredient that makes this taste authentically Hungarian
03 -
- Cut your beef into slightly larger cubes than you think you need, they shrink as they cook
- Use fresh paprika, check the expiration date because old paprika loses its potency quickly