Slow Cooker Hungarian Goulash (Print)

Tender beef chunks slow-cooked with vegetables in a rich, smoky paprika-infused broth for ultimate comfort food.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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, for thickening
18 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown 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 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 spices 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 thicker consistency, whisk flour with cold water to make a slurry. Stir into goulash during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
07 - Remove bay leaves and discard. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley. Accompany with crusty bread, egg noodles, or dumplings.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The deep, smoky paprika flavor develops beautifully over hours of slow cooking, creating a taste that feels like it came from a Hungarian grandmothers kitchen
  • Set it and forget it simplicity means you can go about your day while dinner transforms itself into something remarkable
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or feeding a hungry crowd
02 -
  • Searing the beef might feel like an extra step, but skipping it means missing out on the deep, complex flavors that make this dish extraordinary
  • Hungarian paprika is completely different from the regular stuff in your spice rack, worth seeking out at specialty stores or online
  • The stew will look quite thin initially but thickens beautifully as the potatoes release their starch and the sauce reduces
03 -
  • Make a double batch and freeze portions for those nights when you need comfort food but have zero energy to cook
  • Invest in good quality Hungarian paprika, it makes a bigger difference than almost any other ingredient in this recipe
  • If the sauce tastes slightly acidic at first, do not worry, it mellows beautifully during the long cooking time

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