Hungarian Goulash Tips
Can you use Hungarian paprika to make Hungarian goulash?
Absolutely. In fact, Hungarian paprika is preferred for the most authentic-tasting goulash. Hungarian paprika is often described as hotter than other varieties, but it does comes in a range of heat levels, and they'll all do for goulash—depending on your tolerance and preference for spice. You’re most likely to find just two: sweet, and some variation of "sharp" or "hot" in stores. American paprika (usually just called paprika) is less intense and has less depth of flavor. Spanish paprika is made from smoked peppers, so it has an earthy, smoky quality to it. If you can’t get Hungarian, regular paprika will do, but add a bit of cayenne to boost the flavor.
No matter the variety, paprika adds color and flavor to other dishes like
paprika chicken,
creamy paprika pork and
beef paprika.
How else can you cook Hungarian goulash?
You can cook Hungarian goulash on the stovetop quite easily. Brown the meat in a Dutch oven and follow the same basic steps, simmering until the beef is tender, around 1-1/2 to 2 hours, before adding the sour cream. For an original stovetop goulash, check out our top-rated
Hungarian goulash recipe. You can also cook Hungarian goulash in a pressure cooker. See our guide to
how to convert slow-cooker recipes for pressure cookers, or use an original
pressure-cooker goulash recipe.
How long will leftover Hungarian goulash last?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It can also be frozen in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 4 months. It’s best to cook fresh noodles when you reheat the leftover goulash so they don’t get mushy, but if you do cook them ahead of time, store the stew separately. For more tips, see our
guide to storing leftover food, or our
ultimate guide to freezing food. If you liked this dish, be sure to check out more
Hungarian recipes.
—Hazel Wheaton, Taste of Home Book Editor
Nutrition Facts
2/3 cup goulash with 1 cup noodles: 388 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 285mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 7g fiber), 31g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.