How to make the Best Austrian Beef Goulash-Easy

This is a traditional recipe for Goulash that is served throughout Austria. Cubed pieces of chuck roast are seasoned with Hungarian paprika, a bit of caraway seed, and cooked with lots of onions in beef broth. The result is a delicious, full-flavored stew. Comfort food at its best!

What is the History of Goulash?

Goulash is a traditional stew in Hungary called gulyás, This hearty dish was prepared and eaten by shepherds when they went to pasture with their sheep. They would prepare the stew, allow all the liquid to absorb into the meat and then they dried it in the sun. To transport the stew, the dehydrated stew was packed into bags made of sheep stomachs. When the shepherds were ready to eat, they added water to it to reconstitute it back to a hearty stew.

Goulash became popular in Austria during the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. Of course, the Austrians modified it to make it their own. They took out the carrots and potatoes from the stew. However, they did not change the two most important ingredients; sweet Hungarian paprika and lots of onions.

I have made this dish for many years and it is one of my family's favorite meals. They especially like to eat it in the winter served on spaetzle (German pasta-dumpling), but it is also delicious with mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or even on polenta.

Be sure to make extra goulash. It is perfect to eat the following week for lunch or dinner.

What ingredients are unique?

The two key ingredients that make goulash unique are the onions and Hungarian paprika. It may seem that the amount of onions called for in the recipe is too much. However, do not cut back on the quantity. They are cooked until lightly browned and this provides flavor and color to the stew. Paprika is the other key ingredient. It is the heart and soul of the dish. Be sure to use sweet Hungarian paprika otherwise the stew will have a different taste profile. You can find it at most grocery stores. It normally will come in a tin as shown in the picture above.

Ingredients

Do not let the list of ingredients intimidate you. If you do not have caraway seeds, garlic, bay leaves, marjoram, or tomato paste you can leave any of them out. As I said before, the two most important ingredients are onions and paprika!

• Cubed Beef- The best meat for goulash is well-marbled beef such as chuck roast. This type of meat is great for braising and requires a long cook time to become tender. The fat in the meat gives the dish added flavor. To save time, buy meat that has already been cut into cubes.
• Onions-sweet onions such as Vidalia are tasty in the goulash. Any yellow or white onion will also work. Do not skimp on the onions. They are vital for the Goulash and give it wonderful flavor and color.
• Beef Broth-beef broth is best for this but in a pinch use chicken or vegetable broth. The broth is needed so that the meat does not dry out during cooking. It also adds a nice flavor to the dish.
• Red Wine-any good hearty red wine works in the recipe. The wine provides flavor and helps tenderize the meat.
• Sweet Hungarian Paprika-the star ingredient. It adds to the reddish-brown color of the Goulash and gives it its unique flavor.
• Tomato paste, caraway seeds, garlic, bay leaf, and marjoram-these spices and aromatics are flavor enhancers.
• Flour-the flour is used to thicken the Goulash. White all-purpose flour is the best flour to use.

How to make Goulash:

Brown the meat

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Heat oil over medium-high heat and place the meat in a single layer in a heavy bottom pan such as a dutch oven. Be sure to leave enough space between the cubes of meat so that the meat can brown. Cook 2-3 minutes on each side. When the meat is browned, remove it from the pan and place it in a bowl.

Brown the onions

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Lower heat to medium. Add the onions to the pan and cook until they are lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and cook one minute.

Add the remaining ingredients

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Add the garlic and paprika and cook one minute until fragrant. Add the remaining ingredients except for the meat. Bring the stew to a simmer. Reduce heat. Cover and cook for 2-3 hours.

Thicken the stew with a slurry

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Combine the flour and water and stir together with a whisk (affiliate link). Slowly add the slurry to the Goulash until it is as thick as you like. Simmer a few more minutes.

Serve on spaetzle, noodles, polenta or mashed potatoes

This dish pairs well with a simple salad made from any type of lettuce; romaine, baby greens, or bibb lettuce to name a few and dressed with an Easy Vinaigrette.

Enjoy!

Tips for Success

1. Before cooking the meat, dry it with a paper towel so it will brown.
2. When browning the meat, be sure not to crowd the pan with too much meat. Otherwise, it will steam and not brown. The browning, caramelization, add flavor!
3. If the meat sticks to the pan when you turn it to brown the other side, it is not done browning. It should release fairly easily.
4. The onions do not need to be finely chopped. Diced onions are fine.
5. The goulash needs to be cooked at a low temperature for a long time in order for the meat to be fork tender.
6. Check the stew every hour to be sure there is enough liquid. If necessary add more broth. There should be about 1 ½ cups of gravy.
7. Be sure the onions are slightly brown.  This is important because it adds to the dark color of the gravy as well as to the taste of the goulash.     

Leftovers

Storing leftovers

Store leftovers in the refrigerator 3-4 days. For a longer shelf-life, freeze the goulash in an air-tight container or a freezer bag.

Reheat leftovers in the microwave, in a pan on the stove or in the oven. To prevent foodborne illness, heat to 165°F.

I hope you try this recipe! Give it a rating and please comment below. I love hearing from you!

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