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Beef Goulash

Published: Nov 5, 2012 · Modified: Feb 10, 2021 by Helene Dsouza

Helene Dsouza

A simple comfort food dinner meal idea. Tender beef in a spiced goulash gravy.

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

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In Europe we have something like a spiced meat stew that has gained popularity with time all over the world.

As the title suggests, I am speaking of the brown paprika loaded Goulash.

Actually the dish is typically Hungarian.

Once upon a time Hungary and Austria used to be one without borders.

It is fair to say that Goulash has become an Austrian favorite and so mush so that this its "national dish".

Yet, we shouldn't forget that it was first the common folk of Hungary, the shepherds and farmers, who had come up with the dish.

However at that time, the so called gulyás in Hungary, looked pretty much different

In fact the main ingredient that defines goulash today wasn't included int he dish then.

You can say it was quite plain and it was just plain meat and onions cooked over an open fire.

The Paprika powder was imported to Europe and was so used for the first time in the Goulash only after the discovery.

It was discovered in Terra Nova, this is better known as the Americas.

Beef Goulash - Gulasch or Gulyás #stepbystep #recipe masalaherb.com

Gulasch (the Austrian name and spelling) was used by the Austrian nobility to support the idea of a united Austrian-Hungarian Empire.

Yet they were not the ones who indulged it at the time.

What meat should you use in a Goulash?

For a very long period it was the people's food and in my opinion the reason for that was, that mostly poor cuts of meat were used to make this stew.

The original and traditional Goulash has always been prepared with Beef or even veal.

Younger meat wasn't always favored, since this stew was and is meant to be cooked over a period of time to gain flavor and aroma.

It makes more sense in this case to use tougher meats, it just makes the goulash much tastier.

Over time, as one can imagine, the goulash was prepared with pork, horse and even mutton meat and back then.

The dish finally even reached the German lands and before you knew it, it was popular in Germany too.

It was already everybody's favorite in Slavic countries such as Croatia, Slovenia and so on.

So as you can see, Goulash has lots of History at the core of Europe.

Unsurprisingly the world has embraced it with open hands in their homes.

While the recipe traveled over borders and cultures, it began to mutate and a so called goulash evolution had occurred.

This Beef Goulash recipe below is just the start of a series of different European versions.

I do intend to introduce you over time many more Austrian specialties and versions of Goulash.

There are so many varieties and styles, and those certainly deserve their own articles devoted to their style, ingredients and cooking technique.

Of course I haven't forgotten the Vegetarian readers among us, so brace yourself for a traditional Veg version as well

Old school beef goulash

However for now, let's focus on the basic beef goulash.

Some people would call it the "old Vienna goulash" and others will tell you that this isn't a basic goulash.

Though according to chefs in Europe and my hotel management book this is the main goulash recipe.

This is the type of goulash you will have in Restaurants across Austria.

You have to know, that in central Europe, everybody is very exact about names and little ingredient changes.

What defines the Beef Goulash (better known as Rindsgulasch) is the use of Caraways seeds in combination with Paprika powder and Garlic.

The meat, chopped onion & Garlic and paprika powder are glazed with Vinegar.

Glazing helps the Paprika to remain a vibrant red.

White flour is used to bind the sauce.

The meat is cut into 4cmx4cm thick cubes, as compared to a pork gulasch that calls for 3cmx3cm thick meat cubes.

My recipe includes all those steps, yet I have added some Tomato puree for the taste and as a color.

Otherwise it's pretty much what you would get if you were to order it in a Austrian inn.

Oh by the way, I had served the gulasch with Spätzle noodles, which in my opinion fits well togethe

However feel free to serve it with other sides, such as rice, Knödels, Potatoes or even Polenta.

Some folks out there eat it more like a soup, by dipping in bread, so that's an other way of indulging in this dish.

Dear Reader, did you try the Recipe?

Please feel free to share your thoughts and ideas with us in the comment section further below!

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Comments

George says

March 31, 2014 at 3:19 am

Hello, the goulash recipe is great!! But...don't you hate it that there is always a "but"? Anyway, I could not help noticing that most if not all metric recipes use milliliters and grams as measures. When I lived in Europe where I was born and brought up we used more people friendly and logical measures that everyone could visualize such as liters, meters, and kilograms. Only pharmacies and scientific institutions used milliliters and grams. What happened? I just think that ordering 3500 grams of beef at your local butcher makes no sense. So, who is behind this silliness? I bet you it's the pinko Frenchies. Who else would do this to the proletariat?

Ciao George from Prague

Reply
- Helene Dsouza says
  
  March 31, 2014 at 10:21 am
  
  Hi George! Thanks for your comment. Everbody prefers a different measurement type. In austria it's mostly all in dag and kg, which many don't like to use including myself. I always preferd grams and milliter because of the simplicity and it seems to be more common in the world too. Most scales show grams and measurement glasses are in ml so it's a standart. I am still waiting for one international common measurement to become custom in the world. It woukd simplify our work. =)
  Anything below a kg is commonly mentioned in gram anything above naturaly in kg.
  What do you mean with pinko frenchies?
  Greetings to prague!
  
  Reply
Terra says

November 13, 2012 at 8:03 am

This was a great post, and really interesting! It is funny, all this time of making my moms version of goulash, I thought that was the way it is always made. But love learning where it really originates, and the spices commonly used in the dish! Your recipe sounds wonderful, and I can only imagine the spatzle is a perfect compliment! Hugs, Terra

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A Canadian Foodie says

November 13, 2012 at 5:04 am

Greetings!
We have visited Austria, and LOVED it! My husband is from the former Yugoslavia, so this is also a favourite dish, there - and I have made it many times. Love to see the little differences... but it is much the same. The quality of meat and paprika makes all the difference!
What an adventure you are on living in India! It is on my bucket list! 🙂 Valerie

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Magic of Spice says

November 11, 2012 at 2:56 am

I love this spice combination Helene, my grandfather used to love this dish, but I never knew how it was seasoned. I bet my boys would love this 🙂

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mjskit says

November 09, 2012 at 9:47 am

I thought I had had Goulash before but after looking at the recipe, I don't think I have. I would remember a dish with paprika, caraway and a healthy supply of marjoram. What a rich and spicy looking dish!. Thanks for the history and all of the information about goulash. Very interesting. Your spaztle noodles look like a wonderful accompaniment!

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rita cooks italian says

November 08, 2012 at 8:39 pm

Dear Helene I cannot picture you in GOA eating Gulasch! By the way, I am so happy that you posted this recipe because I've tried several times to cook this dish and it always tastes a little bit bland or chilli con carne style thanks to the cumin seeds. I must by the caraway seeds! Thanks for sharing

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baker street says

November 08, 2012 at 3:26 pm

Absolutely scrumptious! What a great recipe, Helene! 🙂

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kitchenriffs says

November 08, 2012 at 9:04 am

Gosh, I love goulash (and if you don't serve spätzle with it, it's not really goulash!). My recipe is pretty close to yours, and I usually - though don't always - use caraway seeds. They really add quite a bit of flavor, don't they? Excellent post - thanks so much.

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Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says

November 08, 2012 at 1:34 am

So comforting!! I love the technique required to make spatzle's 🙂

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GourmetGetaways says

November 08, 2012 at 1:53 am

I am so pleased I have stumbled on to your site. I had a Hungarian friend when I was in my early 20's and here kitchen always smelled of goulash, I can't wait to make it! Also my new sister in law is Slovak and she has given me the noodle sieve but I didn't know what to do with it until know!

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[email protected] says

November 07, 2012 at 4:41 am

The first time I tried Goulash, it was with a Hungarian Boss. The flavors had blown me away. I am not too fond of beef, so I had huge reservations. But truly, it was amazing. This looks equally mind blowing. Beautiful dish Helene.
I love the yellow nail paint 😀

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Helene Dsouza says

November 06, 2012 at 1:27 pm

Coming Barbara, I just need to find a beamer. =P I didnt know ti was your favorite dish, what a pleasant surprise! =D

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Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen says

November 06, 2012 at 9:00 am

I'll have a little Goulash with my Spätzle please:) Just kidding.. you've got my two favorite dishes here, I love Spätzle and the sauce from the Goulash would be heaven!!

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Kristy says

November 06, 2012 at 8:55 am

I haven't this since I lived at home. My mom would make this for us. It's been ages. I should make this and see if Miss A and Mr. N like it. 🙂

Reply
- Helene Dsouza says
  
  November 06, 2012 at 1:26 pm
  
  I am curious how your kids will react to it. You have to know that I never liked it as a kid and that was only because my mum would use meat with fats on it ( I dont like that), back then I preferes the potato version but nowadays I d always favor this recipe first. =D
  
  Reply
Kitchen Belleicious says

November 06, 2012 at 8:42 am

it looks absolutely delicious

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- Helene Dsouza says
  
  November 06, 2012 at 1:24 pm
  
  thank you =)
  
  Reply
Choc Chip Uru says

November 06, 2012 at 8:13 am

Your photos are incredible my friend this is such hearty meal 🙂

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru

Reply
- Helene Dsouza says
  
  November 06, 2012 at 1:24 pm
  
  yes I know its a bit too hearty for the land down under where summer is coming up. Uru it tastes best for the soul when its cool outside =)
  
  Reply
Ian Dixon says

November 05, 2012 at 9:49 pm

My way of doing this would be to first dust the beef in seasoned flour then stir fry until it was starting to brown. Then add a tablespoon of soy sauce and stir till absorbed. Then the tomato paste. Then a glass of red wine and stir until that is absorbed. Then add an Oxo or Kallo cube plus water and heat for at least an hour so the meat gets tender.
Putting flour in when the cooking is finished as step 5 says will just make the food taste of flour

Reply
- Helene Dsouza says
  
  November 06, 2012 at 12:07 am
  
  You are suggesting to add soy sauce, an ingredient that isn't European at all, to a Beef goulash? Your recipe sounds delicious, but it isn't a goulash, that is sure! When the cooking time is over and you add flour, it will bind because the stew cooked well for 50 minutes covered, so the heat remains and you don't require to keep it any longer on the flame, but if you feel your stove isn't heating enough, then you can keep it 1-2 min. longer. 😉
  
  Reply
  - Angela says
    
    April 15, 2018 at 2:43 am
    
    I totally agree. His recipe does sound yummy but it is definitely not goulash! I was born in Australia but have an Austrian mum and Danish dad. My mother's parents were Hungarian and Czech so we had many many "strange" dishes when I was growing up. Back then all I wanted was to have food like all the other Aussie kids but now I really appreciate my heritage!! Though I still don't like the liptaeur spread hahaha.
    P.S. I tried to print your recipe but it doesn't stay in the print page long enough to choose which printer etc, it flicks back to the recipe within like 1-2pm seconds 🙁
    
    Reply
    - Helene Dsouza says
      
      April 16, 2018 at 5:21 am
      
      It is Goulash, just from a different region in Austria. 🙂
      I am sorry that you have been struggling with the print window. Did you try using another browser as it might be a browser problem?
      Here is the link again to print the recipe. Please let me know if it's still giving you problems, then I will try to send it to you via email.
      
      Reply
Nami | Just One Cookbook says

November 05, 2012 at 11:24 pm

I've never tried Goulash before but this definitely looks delicious! And it was so interesting and fun to see how the Spätzle noodles were made!

Reply
- Helene Dsouza says
  
  November 06, 2012 at 1:22 pm
  
  Oh wow nami you will love it! remember the oxtail soup, well it goes into that direction, yet of course oxtail gives a different flavor and here you have the addition of caraway seeds and paprika. =D
  
  Reply
Asmita says

November 05, 2012 at 9:52 pm

I would love to eat this right now. I love goulash and your recipe sounds incredible!
The photos are making me ravenous!

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- Helene Dsouza says
  
  November 06, 2012 at 1:20 pm
  
  hehe, I realized already a while back that we had similar taste preferences Asmita. How much I wished I could prepare some for you and your husband to try. You really need to come to goa! 😉
  
  Reply