Piping-hot goulash served in a jet-black cast-iron pan, topped with a dollop of sour cream and sprinklings of paprika. The lustrous brown goulash teems with chunks of ruby-red beef, potatoes, carrots, and peppers. Bright green herbs add a pop of freshness. Slices of crusty bread huddle around the pan, waiting to absorb the warmth and flavors.

Festive Hungarian Goulash

Name: Festive Hungarian Goulash
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 150 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Central European
Ingredients: 2 pounds Beef Shank cut into 2-inch cubes; 3 tablespoon Hungarian Paprika; 2 medium Onions coarsely chopped; 4 cloves Garlic minced; 2 Carrots cut into 1-inch pieces; 2 Bell Peppers deseeded and coarsely chopped; 2 large Potatoes cut into 1-inch cubes; 2 tablespoon Tomato paste; 6 cups Beef Broth; 2 Bay leaves; Sour Cream for garnish; Fresh Parsley chopped for garnish; Bread for serving; 2 tablespoon Olive Oil; to taste Salt and Pepper

A hearty, comforting, flavorful stew for Krampusnacht.

Category Main Course

Prep 30 minutes

Cook 120 minutes

Style Central European

Technique Simmer

Diet Friendly Gluten-Free

Daily recipe · December 05, 2024

A little about this dish

In Central Europe, Krampusnacht is a time to bring out the hearty, comforting recipes that symbolize the region. The star of our dish? The ever-so-regional and absolutely delicious Hungarian goulash, our featured ingredient being beef shank, simmered to tender and rich perfection.

Ingredients (for 6)

Beef shank — 2 pounds — cut into 2-inch cubes
Hungarian paprika — 3 tablespoon
Onions — 2 medium — coarsely chopped
Garlic — 4 cloves — minced
Carrots — 2 — cut into 1-inch pieces
Bell peppers — 2 — deseeded and coarsely chopped
Potatoes — 2 large — cut into 1-inch cubes
Tomato paste — 2 tablespoon
Beef broth — 6 cups
Bay leaves — 2
Sour cream — — for garnish
Fresh parsley — — chopped for garnish
Bread — — for serving
Olive oil — 2 tablespoon
Salt and pepper — to taste

Preparation

Step 1 — 🥩🧂🌶️

Season the beef with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of Hungarian paprika thoroughly.
Step 2 — 🍲🔥🛢️

Preheat a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Then add 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
Step 3 — 🥩🔥🟤

Add the beef to the pot and sear, ensuring each cube gets brown on all sides. Then remove the beef and set it aside.
Step 4 — 🧅🍲🔥

In the same pot, sauté 2 coarsely chopped onions and 4 minced garlic cloves until they soften.
Step 5 — 🍅🥄🌶️

Add 2 tablespoons of tomato paste and the remaining 2 tablespoons of paprika to the pot. Stir them to combine with onions and garlic.
Step 6 — 🥩🥕🥔

Return the beef to the pot and add 2 chopped carrots, 2 chopped bell peppers, and 2 cubed large potatoes.
Step 7 — 🍲🥣🍂

Next, pour in 6 cups of beef broth and stir well, then add 2 bay leaves.
Step 8 — 🍲⏳🔥

Lower the heat, cover the pot, and simmer for approximately 2 hours, while stirring occasionally.
Step 9 — 🍲🧂🚫

Check on it occasionally and cook until the beef is tender, the flavors combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Before serving, remember to remove the bay leaves.
Step 10 — 🍲🥄🍞

Serve the stew hot. Garnish with a dollop of sour cream, sprinkle with fresh parsley. Pair it with slices of warm bread.

A final fox tip

This goulash is more than just a hearty stew—it’s a tradition. Influenced by the nomadic Magyar people, who invented it as a quick, satisfying meal. For a change of pace, you can substitute beef with lamb or venison. Kids can help by washing and scrubbing the vegetables. Don't forget to share a shot of your wonderful creation on Instagram #KrampusnachtGoulash.