Ina Garten Hungarian Goulash Recipe is a hearty, comforting stew full of rich flavors. This recipe is easy to make at home and perfect for cozy dinners.
Tender beef, paprika, onions and bell peppers combine to create a delicious, aromatic dish. You can serve it with noodles, potatoes or bread. This Ina Garten Hungarian Goulash Recipe is flavorful and satisfying, making it ideal for family meals.
Learning how to make Ina Garten Hungarian Goulash is simple, even for beginners. With a few basic ingredients and step-by-step instructions, you can enjoy a traditional Hungarian meal in your kitchen.
My Experience With This Recipe
I tried Ina Garten Hungarian Goulash last weekend. The beef was tender, and the sauce was rich with paprika flavor. The aroma filled my kitchen while cooking. I served it with egg noodles and my family loved it. The recipe was easy to follow and cleanup was simple.
I appreciated how well the flavors melded together during simmering. This goulash is perfect for chilly evenings or weekend meals. It tastes like it has been cooking for hours, but it’s simple to make. Now, it’s one of my favorite comfort food recipes.
Recipe Card Info
- Recipe Name: Ina Garten Hungarian Goulash
- Servings: 4–6
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 mins
- Course: Main Course
- Cuisine: Hungarian / American
- Calories: 400 kcal per serving
Equipment List
- Large Dutch oven or heavy pot
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Bowls for serving
Ingredients You Need for Ina Garten Hungarian Goulash
- 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 large onions, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 3 tablespoons sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Heat Oil in Pot
Warm olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat before adding beef. - Brown the Beef
Add beef cubes in batches. Brown on all sides for flavor. Remove and set aside. - Cook Onions and Garlic
Add chopped onions and minced garlic to the pot. Cook until onions are soft and fragrant. - Add Bell Peppers
Stir in chopped red and green bell peppers. Cook for 3–4 minutes until slightly softened. - Add Paprika and Seasoning
Add sweet paprika, smoked paprika, salt and black pepper. Stir to coat vegetables and release flavor. - Return Beef to Pot
Add browned beef back to the pot. Stir well with vegetables and paprika mixture. - Add Tomatoes and Broth
Pour in diced tomatoes and beef broth. Add tomato paste. Stir until combined. - Add Bay Leaf and Optional Spices
Include bay leaf and optional caraway seeds. Stir gently to mix flavors. - Simmer the Goulash
Cover pot partially. Reduce heat to low and simmer 1–1.5 hours. Stir occasionally for even cooking. - Check Tenderness
Beef should be tender and sauce thickened. Adjust salt and pepper to taste before serving. - Serve Hot
Remove bay leaf. Serve goulash over noodles, potatoes or with crusty bread. Enjoy warm.
Recipe Tips
- Brown beef in batches to avoid steaming.
- Use sweet paprika for authentic Hungarian flavor.
- Simmer slowly to tenderize beef and develop rich sauce.
- Caraway seeds add traditional flavor but are optional.
- Serve over noodles or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
Nutrition Information
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 400 kcal |
| Protein | 35 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Carbohydrates | 20 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
Serving Suggestions
Serve Ina Garten Hungarian Goulash Recipe hot with egg noodles, mashed potatoes or fresh bread. A sprinkle of fresh parsley makes it look beautiful.
Pair with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables. This dish is perfect for family dinners, cozy weekends or special gatherings.
Best Sides To Serve With
- Egg noodles or spaetzle
- Mashed or boiled potatoes
- Roasted vegetables
- Crusty bread or baguette
- Simple green salad
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftover goulash in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
Add a splash of beef broth if sauce is too thick. Goulash flavors improve after sitting for a few hours. Do not freeze if you want the best texture for vegetables.
Ina Garten Hungarian Goulash Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef stew meat cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 large onions chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 3 tablespoons sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika optional
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds optional
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
Heat Oil in Pot
- Warm olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat before adding beef.
Brown the Beef
- Add beef cubes in batches. Brown on all sides for flavor. Remove and set aside.
Cook Onions and Garlic
- Add chopped onions and minced garlic to the pot. Cook until onions are soft and fragrant.
Add Bell Peppers
- Stir in chopped red and green bell peppers. Cook for 3–4 minutes until slightly softened.
Add Paprika and Seasoning
- Add sweet paprika, smoked paprika, salt and black pepper. Stir to coat vegetables and release flavor.
Return Beef to Pot
- Add browned beef back to the pot. Stir well with vegetables and paprika mixture.
Add Tomatoes and Broth
- Pour in diced tomatoes and beef broth. Add tomato paste. Stir until combined.
Add Bay Leaf and Optional Spices
- Include bay leaf and optional caraway seeds. Stir gently to mix flavors.
Simmer the Goulash
- Cover pot partially. Reduce heat to low and simmer 1–1.5 hours. Stir occasionally for even cooking.
Check Tenderness
- Beef should be tender and sauce thickened. Adjust salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Serve Hot
- Remove bay leaf. Serve goulash over noodles, potatoes or with crusty bread. Enjoy warm.
Notes
- Brown beef in batches to avoid steaming.
- Use sweet paprika for authentic Hungarian flavor.
- Simmer slowly to tenderize beef and develop rich sauce.
- Caraway seeds add traditional flavor but are optional.
- Serve over noodles or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
FAQs about Ina Garten Hungarian Goulash
Q1: Can I use a slow cooker for this recipe?
Yes, brown beef first, then cook all ingredients in a slow cooker 6–8 hours on low.
Q2: Can I make this goulash spicier?
Yes, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot paprika while cooking for extra heat.
Q3: Can I use other meats?
Yes, beef chuck is ideal, but stew meat or short ribs also work well.
Q4: How thick should the sauce be?
The sauce should be rich and slightly thick. Simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes if needed.
Q5: Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Yes, goulash tastes even better the next day as flavors deepen after refrigeration.
Conclusion
Ina Garten Hungarian Goulash Recipe is hearty, flavorful and perfect for cozy dinners. Tender beef and rich paprika sauce make it a comfort food favorite. This recipe is easy to follow, even for beginners and results in restaurant-quality goulash at home.
Serve with noodles, potatoes or bread for a complete meal. Slow simmering develops deep flavors, making this dish satisfying and delicious. Try Ina Garten Hungarian Goulash for your next family dinner and enjoy a traditional, comforting Hungarian stew everyone will love.
Sara Collins is a food blogger at TastyDive. She shares simple and family-friendly recipes made with everyday ingredients. Her mission is to help home cooks enjoy tasty meals without stress.
