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Cozy Classic Beef Goulash Recipe Easy Hearty Comfort Meal

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A warm, hearty beef goulash with tender chunks of beef simmered in a smoky paprika-infused sauce, perfect for cozy evenings and comfort food lovers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 medium onions, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tablespoons sweet Hungarian paprika
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 3 cups beef broth (720 ml), homemade or store-bought, unsalted if possible
  • 1 cup canned diced tomatoes (240 ml)
  • 2 medium carrots, sliced
  • 1 medium bell pepper, diced (red or green, optional)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil or lard
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients (about 15 minutes). Cut the beef chuck into 1-inch cubes, chop onions, mince garlic, slice carrots, and dice the bell pepper if using. Pat the beef dry with paper towels to help it brown better.
  2. Coat the beef with flour. Toss the beef cubes in a bowl with the 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, making sure each piece is lightly covered.
  3. Brown the beef (10-15 minutes). Heat 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil or lard in your Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef in batches so it doesn’t steam. Brown on all sides until a rich, deep color forms. Transfer browned beef to a plate and set aside.
  4. Sauté the onions and garlic (5-7 minutes). Lower the heat to medium, add the chopped onions, and cook until translucent and slightly golden. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  5. Add paprika and tomato paste. Stir in the 3 tablespoons of sweet Hungarian paprika and 2 tablespoons of tomato paste. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid burning the paprika.
  6. Return the beef to the pot. Mix the browned beef cubes back into the pot, coating them well with the paprika mixture.
  7. Add liquids and veggies. Pour in 3 cups beef broth and 1 cup canned diced tomatoes. Add sliced carrots, diced bell pepper, bay leaf, and caraway seeds if using. Stir gently to combine. Season with salt and pepper moderately.
  8. Simmer gently (about 1 hour). Bring the mixture to a low boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it simmer. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. The beef should become tender and the sauce thickens.
  9. Final seasoning and adjustments. Taste and add more salt or pepper if needed. If the sauce is too thin, remove the lid for the last 10-15 minutes to reduce it. If too thick, add a splash of water or broth.
  10. Serve warm. Remove the bay leaf before serving. Pair with buttered egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread.

Notes

Brown the beef well in batches to develop flavor. Use fresh sweet Hungarian paprika for best taste. Simmer low and slow for tender beef. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Adjust seasoning gradually. For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour. Pressure cooker can reduce simmer time to 30-40 minutes but stovetop slow simmer yields better flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef goulash, classic goulash, comfort food, paprika beef stew, hearty stew, easy dinner, slow simmer beef