Hearty Homestyle Goulash
Hearty Homestyle Goulash is a comforting and flavorful stew featuring tender beef chuck, aromatic vegetables, and robust spices simmered to perfection. This one-pot dish offers rich, savory warmth ideal for family dinners or special gatherings, delivering deep flavors with minimal effort and cleanup.
- Author: Maria
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Hungarian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Meat
- 2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into bite-sized cubes
Vegetables
- 2 medium onions, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 bell peppers, chopped
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
Liquids & Tomato
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 4 cups beef broth (gluten-free if needed)
Spices & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons sweet paprika (preferably Hungarian)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Begin by cutting the beef into bite-sized cubes and chopping all vegetables into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Brown the Beef: Heat a bit of oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes on all sides to lock in flavor and create a beautiful caramelized crust. Brown in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Sauté Aromatics: Remove the beef and add onions, garlic, and bell peppers to the pot. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Add Spices and Tomato Base: Stir in sweet paprika and tomato paste, cooking briefly to release their full flavor before adding diced tomatoes and broth.
- Combine and Simmer: Return the beef to the pot, then add carrots and potatoes. Cover with broth, bring the mixture to a simmer, and cook gently for 1.5 to 2 hours until meat is tender.
- Finish and Taste: Season with salt and pepper, adjust spices to your liking, and let it rest a few minutes to deepen flavors before serving.
Notes
- Brown beef in batches to ensure a nice sear for richer flavor.
- Use quality Hungarian sweet paprika for authentic taste and vibrant color.
- Simmer low and slow to break down connective tissue for tender beef.
- If stew is too thin, simmer uncovered to reduce; add broth if too thick.
- Let the goulash rest before serving for better flavor melding.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: goulash, beef stew, Hungarian goulash, comfort food, one-pot meal, homestyle stew, hearty goulash