Pörkölt - Hungarian Beef and Onion Stew (2024)

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Known across the United States as Goulash,Pörkölt is a Hungarian Beef and Onion Stew seasoned generously with paprika. Tender beef that melts in your mouth in a deep and rich sauce, this is the perfect project for a chilly weekend!

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As soon as I heard we were getting a snow storm, I ran to the grocery store to buy the ingredients to makePörkölt.

I usually don’t need an excuse to crave beef stew, but cold weather simply asks for it! There truly isn’t anything as comforting as sitting by the fire with a bowl of stew.

As it’s the case with most stews,Pörkölt is a simple dish, delicious not because of its complexity in cooking, but for the amazing rich flavors – coming predominantly from the smoky earthiness of the paprika – and the tenderness from the slow cooked beef.

It tastes even better on the second day, when the flavors have had time to mingle, and it also freezes well. In fact, I highly recommend you make a batch just to freeze, so you can have it on hand whenever snow strikes and you need something cozy and hearty that is guaranteed to hit the spot!

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Pörkölt VS Goulash

The first time I had this dish, it was served to me under the name “Goulash”.

By the time I had cooked it a few times and decided it was time to share it on the blog, my research taught me that what I (and the rest of America) was cooking was actually named “Pörkölt”.

While both dishes are delicious and similar in the sense of using beef and a generous amount of paprika, they are definitely not the same. Goulash (gulyás) is actually a brothy soup, not a stew, made exclusively from beef and often including vegetables like potatoes and carrots.

Pörkölt, on the other hand, is a rich stew that can be made with different kinds of meat. And, if you add sour cream to Pörkölt, it is called Paprikás.

I have never been to Hungary and I generally try not to claim authenticity in my non-Brazilian recipes. That being said, I decided to name this recipe its proper name – even though I know everybody knows it as goulash – as a form of respect for the Hungarian culture!

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How to makePörkölt

There are as many ways to make Pörkölt as there as families in Hungary!

Long, slow cooking is the key, though. If you want to get technical, the technique we use for this dish is “braising” and not “stewing”, as you are not supposed to submerge the beef completely, only partially. Remember, Pörkölt is rich and thick, not brothy like Goulash!

Purists will say that you should never add flour to thickenPörkölt. They also say that wine, tomatoes or tomato paste are a no-no and that you should get your bright red color from the paprika alone.

Well, call me a heathen and my recipe inauthentic, because I really think it benefits from all these things. I also add brown sugar, since I think a little sweetness balances out the earthiness from the paprika. I do love a slightly sweet stew, like Carbonnade Flamande, but it’s okay if you don’t. Just omit the sugar and you should be good!

As for the paprika, it has to be Hungarian and fresh. I’ve seen it widely available (in that pretty red box) at most supermarkets, but if you can’t find it, Amazon will deliver to you. I use a blend of hot and sweet, but you can customize it according to your preferences.

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Choosing the best cut of meat for beef stew

Tough cuts are always the way to go when making beef stew!

You might be tempted to splurge in those expensive ribeyes or tenderloins. After all, you want your beef to be falling apart tender and it’s obvious that those would produce the best results, right? Wrong!

Tender cuts actually get tough and dry when cooked too long. What you want are cuts that are rich in collagen from connective tissues, as that breaks down over long cooking and transforms into soft gelatin, giving you that melt-in-your-mouth texture that you are looking for!

My personal favorite cut for stews is boneless chuck roast! Not only it’s always available and affordable, but it is flavorful and full of connective tissues and fat.I would avoid the pre-packaged “stew meat”, even if it says chuck, because they are likely a mixture of cuts that will cook at different rates.

Here are other popular cuts for beef stew:

  • Chuck Shoulder or Top Chuck
  • Short Ribs
  • Oxtail
  • Brisket
  • Bottom Sirloin Flap

If you want to learn more about these cuts and the more scientific details on collagen and connective tissues, check out this article from Serious Eats. Kenji is a great food scientist and I love reading about his discoveries!

I also use his technique of cutting the chuck roast into 2-3 steaks and searing them like that before cubing. That way, the meat browns properly, giving us that deep caramelization that we want in the stew, but stays juicy and tender.

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Different Types of Paprika and How to Use Them

Paprika is one of the most common spices in America and it is the fourth most consumed spice in the world. It is a powder made from dried and finely groundCapsicum annuum peppers, used in recipes for both flavor and color.

Depending on the variety of pepper used and how it is processed, you will get different colors (from brown to deep red) and heat levels (from mild to spicy). There are three main types of paprika:

  • Sweet – has almost no heat at all, just a sweet peppery flavor. The kind you should use if a recipe doesn’t specify which kind.
  • Hot – has a significant kick, but still not as spicy as cayenne or red pepper flakes. Use it in any dishes that would benefit from its warm fiery flavor!
  • Smoked – also called pimenton or smoked Spanish paprika, it has a rich, smoky flavor and is generally less intense than Hungarian paprika. It’s made from peppers that are smoked over oak fires before being dried and ground into powder. You can find it in mild (dulce), medium (agridulce) or hot (picante) varieties. Used for paella and other Spanish dishes as well as chicken kebabs and some rubs.

If you visit Hungary or is lucky enough to have access to imported paprika, you will be able to choose from an even greater variety. There are eight grades of Hungarian paprika:különleges (“special quality”, mild and most vibrant red), csípősmentes csemege (delicate and mild), csemege paprika (still mild but more pungent), csípős csemege (even more pungent), édesnemes(“noble sweet”, slightly pungent and bright red), félédes (semi-sweet with medium pungency), rózsa (mildly pungent and pale red), and erős (hottest and light brown to orange). The Hungarian sweet paprika that we find in the US is usually theédesnemes variety.

With all these interesting options, why settle for the basic unspecified paprika that you find in the grocery store? It is the least assertive in flavor, offering a low-intensity pepper flavor without much heat or sweetness. Use it only if you’re after color but not flavor.

Whichever paprika you choose, make sure you’re buying it as fresh as you can and then store it in a cool, dark place for up to six months. Paprika’s flavor dissipates quickly and when it gets stale it can taste like chalk.

As for cooking with it, one thing to keep in mind is that paprika burns quickly and turns bitter. I wouldn’t let it spend more than a few seconds in hot oil before adding liquid.

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Serving Hungarian Beef Stew

I like serving this stew with spätzle or egg noodles, but it would also go great with rice or mashed potatoes. Anything starchy to soak up all that yummy rich sauce!

A sprinkle of parsley brings freshness to the dish and a dollop of sour cream creates a great contrast between cool tanginess and deep spiciness. Not to mention making it very creamy and indulgent!

As I mentioned earlier, if you add sour cream to Pörkölt, you should technically call it Paprikash. But I don’t think I’ve ever seen Pörkölt served without the option of sour cream.

Called whatever you’d like – Paprikash, Goulash or Pörkölt – but make this! It’s a warm and inviting dish that will help you beat the cold weather blues!

Yield: 6 to 8

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Total Time: 3 hours

Known across the United States as Goulash, Pörkölt is a Hungarian Beef and Onion Stew seasoned generously with paprika. Tender beef that melts in your mouth in a deep and rich sauce, this is the perfect project for a chilly weekend!

Ingredients

  • 2.5 pounds chuck roast, cut into 3-4 steaks.
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 large (or 4 medium) onions, sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red pepper, seeded and sliced
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 cup red wine
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 3 tablespoons sweet paprika
  • 1 tablespoon hot paprika
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 4 tomatoes from a can of peeled tomatoes, hand crushed
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley

Instructions

  • Season the steaks generously with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven pot, over medium-high heat, until shimmering. Add the steaks and brown for 4-5 minutes per side. Remove and reserve.
  • Lower the heat to medium. Add butter to the pot and, once melted, add the sliced onions. Cook, resisting the urge to stir too much so they can brown, until they are softened and lightly browned/caramelized, about 8-10 minutes.
  • Add the garlic and red pepper and cook for another 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  • Cut the seared steaks into 1 1/2 to 2-inch cubes and transfer to a bowl. Toss with flour. Add the beef back to the pot, stirring to combine. Add the red wine and cook until reduced. Then, add the beef broth, paprika, brown sugar, bay leaves, tomato paste and crushed tomatoes.
  • Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, covered, for 2 1/2 - 3 hours or until the beef is tender and the sauce is reduced. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper, as needed.
  • Sprinkle the chopped parsley and serve over egg noodles and with a dollop of sour cream.
  • To makePörkölt, I recommend:

    Other Recipes with Paprika:

    • Brazilian Style Stroganoff
    • Brazilian Paprika Chicken Stew with White Beans
    • Chicken Stroganoff
    • Chicken and Chorizo Paella

    *** This post contains affiliate links. ***

    Pörkölt - Hungarian Beef and Onion Stew (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the difference between pörkölt and goulash? ›

    Goulash (gulyás) is actually a brothy soup, not a stew, made exclusively from beef and often including vegetables like potatoes and carrots. Pörkölt, on the other hand, is a rich stew that can be made with different kinds of meat. And, if you add sour cream to Pörkölt, it is called Paprikás.

    What is the difference between Hungarian goulash and regular goulash? ›

    Hungarian Goulash is a thick meat and vegetable stew with a broth that's heavily seasoned with paprika, while American Goulash is a quick dish made from ground beef, tomato sauce, herbs, and elbow macaroni noodles. It also goes by the name of American Chop Suey.

    What's the difference between goulash and beef stew? ›

    Hungarian goulash is very similar to beef stew, but there are some differences. While a typical stew consists of slow braising chunks of meat with root vegetables in a seasoned broth, goulash uses spices such as caraway, cumin, paprika, and peppers which really enhance and alter the flavor from a classic beef stew.

    What is a Hungarian stew called? ›

    Pörkölt (Peur-keult) is Hungarian for beef stew and is a popular Hungarian recipe made by braising meat and simmering it with onions in a tomato based sauce. It's served warm, over noodles and it's absolutely delicious.

    What is goulash called in America? ›

    American goulash, sometimes called slumgullion, is an American comfort food dish, similar to American chop suey. American goulash is usually referred to in the midwestern and southern United States as simply "goulash".

    What is the American name for goulash? ›

    American chop suey is an American pasta casserole made with ground beef, macaroni and a seasoned tomato sauce, found in the cuisine of New England and other regions of the United States. Outside New England it is sometimes called American goulash or Johnny Marzetti, among other names.

    Why is my goulash meat tough? ›

    Choose marbled meat for your goulash, as it cooks very slowly, the fat will render down and give you a tender end result. Beef and veal are very popular, but you can also choose game, pork, or lamb. Lean meat is less suitable, as it will toughen up over the long cooking time.

    What is the best cut of meat for goulash? ›

    Beef chuck for tender, succulent results: While pre-packaged beef stew meat can be used, I recommend using beef chuck cut into medium-size chunks. It's a terrific cut of beef to use for extended cooking, as it contains more collagen and will remain more tender and succulent, rather than becoming dry.

    What is goulash called in the South? ›

    What Is American Goulash? American goulash, sometimes called slumgullion, American Chop Suey, or even Beef-a-Roni, is an American comfort-food dish popular in the Midwest and South. Besides the name, there is no real connection to Hungarian goulash in terms of the flavor or ingredients.

    Is stock or broth better for beef stew? ›

    Ideally, you'll use beef stock, but beef broth is fine too. Veal stock would be divine. Instant bouillon paste will add flavor and is perfectly acceptable. Indeed, even if all you have is chicken stock, it will still be better than water and won't make your beef stew taste like chicken soup.

    Does stew have broth or gravy? ›

    A stew's meat or vegetables are barely covered with cooking liquid (usually water, broth or stock, oftentimes enhanced by wine or beer for additional flavor) and, during cooking, the liquid reduces to a gravy-like base that is sometimes thickened by flour, cornstarch or a roux.

    What's the difference between Irish stew and normal stew? ›

    The main difference between a beef stew and an Irish stew is the broth and the choice of meat. Beef stew uses cubed pieces of beef, such as a stew meat or a chuck roast. Irish stew traditionally uses mutton or lamb and has a rich, thick beer based broth.

    What is the national Hungarian dish? ›

    Goulash – is it a soup? Is it a stew? Hungary's national dish (pronounced “gooyash,” by the way) is a cross between the two, a steaming bowl of slow-cooked beef, carrots, onions and loads of Hungary's trademark paprika to give it a good kick.

    What is the popular soup in Hungary? ›

    Hungarian Goulash is a soup or stew made with meat and vegetables seasoned with paprika. Its origins date back to 9th Century Hungary. Although it is considered one of the national dishes of Hungary, it's served in other Central and Eastern European countries including the Balkans.

    What is the rich stew from Hungary? ›

    Hungarian Goulash is a hearty meat stew that is a staple in Hungarian cuisine. It is traditionally made with beef, onions, paprika, and various vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers.

    Is Beefaroni the same as goulash? ›

    Yes! American goulash is essentially the same thing as Beefaroni. You can often find the names used interchangeably, depending on where in the United States you are. Did you know that American goulash is known as American chop suey and Johnny Marzetti?

    What nationality eats goulash? ›

    Though long established as the national dish of Hungary, its origins lie with the rootless, itinerant stockmen who roamed the plains of medieval Mitteleuropa.

    Which country has the best goulash? ›

    Authentic Hungarian Goulash (gulyás)
    • From the country's varied culinary repertoire Hungarian goulash is the most famous and often cooked dish outside the borders of Hungary.
    • Even in Hungary every other housewife or chef has her/his own way of cooking it by.
    • Authentic gulyás is a beef dish cooked with.

    What kind of wine goes with Hungarian goulash? ›

    Spicy and savoury, traditional Hungarian Goulash pairs best with rich red wines with high acidity, such as Pinot Noir, Zweigelt, Côtes du Rhône, Gamay Noir, or Blaufränkisch.

    What is traditionally served with goulash? ›

    Hungarian Goulash is a delicious beef stew (or soup) with a rich paprika seasoned broth. This delicious dish is warm and comforting, perfect for a cold weather day. Serve this over homemade noodles (or add potatoes) or with a side of bread or Biscuits to sop up any of the broth left in your bowl.

    What is the secret to good stew? ›

    Let the stew cook slowly

    Don't be tempted to rush the process, let the low heat do its thing. For the beef to get tender and the flavours to meld, it needs about 3 hours on the stove and at least 4 in a slow cooker.

    Do you cook stew with lid on or off? ›

    Always cover your pot if you're trying to keep the heat in. That means that if you're trying to bring something to a simmer or a boil—a pot of water for cooking pasta or blanching vegetables, a batch of soup, or a sauce—put that lid on to save time and energy.

    What thickens goulash? ›

    Right before serving, add cornstarch to water and stir until smooth. SLOWLY stir cornstarch mixture into the goulash until reaching desired consistency (you want it to be like a thin gravy consistency). Add beef broth to thin out or more cornstarch to thicken. Add salt and pepper to taste before serving.

    What is the most tasty meat cut? ›

    The rib eye is a cut from the rib section and is the most flavorful cut of meat and typically comes with very deep marbling. Because of the deep marbling on the rib eye, it is a great cut for grilling and slow roasting.

    What are the two types of goulash? ›

    There are two kinds of goulash: Hungarian goulash, which calls for the slow-simmered beef to be served alongside egg noodles, and American goulash, which pulls in ground beef and cooks the noodles in the pot alongside the sauce.

    Is goulash Austrian or Hungarian? ›

    The dish and the word “gulyás” come from Hungary. “Gulyá” means cattle herd, and derived from that is “gulyás” the cattle herder. While the classic Hungarian gulyás is quite similar to Austrian goulash soup, for us goulash in today's sense is actually a ragout made from beef and seasoned with bell peppers.

    Is American chop suey the same as goulash? ›

    American Chop Suey, also know as American goulash, is a simple macaroni pasta dish made with a hearty meat sauce. Family-friendly and crowd-pleasing, this dish is affordable and delicious!

    Can you cook beef stew too long? ›

    Yes, it is possible to overcook a beef stew. As much as we like the idea of a stew that sits on the stove all day long, too much time will result in dry beef and mushy veggies. It depends on how much stew you're actually making, but the sweet spot is about 2–3 hours.

    What vegetables to add to beef stew? ›

    RECOMMENDED VEGETABLES FOR VEGETABLE BEEF STEW
    1. Potatoes– red potatoes, gold potatoes, and russet potatoes.
    2. Onions– yellow onions or white onions.
    3. Shallots– Use in place of the onions.
    4. Green beans– french cut green beans, Italian green beans, Lima beans, or even wax beans (may use organic frozen beans}
    Oct 21, 2021

    Why put celery in stew? ›

    Soup or Broth

    While certain stock cubes also contain meat, celery serves as the foundation of most of the meals we know and love. That's because celery is an aromatic, which is a term that refers to the vegetables that add a unique flavor bouquet to a dish.

    What is the basic stew formula? ›

    The Ideal Stew Ratio: Two Parts Meat, One Part Vegetable

    Most meat-based stews call for tough, inexpensive cuts of meat, while vegetarian recipes include the same onions, carrots, and celery typical of a beef stew. Two parts meat to one part vegetables is the perfect ratio for a meaty stew.

    What is the most tender beef for stew? ›

    The following are some of the best cuts of beef for stewing, yielding meat that's juicy and tender even after long cooking:
    • Chuck.
    • Bone-in short rib.
    • Bohemian (Bottom Sirloin Flap)
    • Oxtail.
    • Fatty brisket ("point" or "second cut")
    • Cross-cut shanks.

    Which potatoes are best for stew? ›

    ANSWER: Waxy potatoes or those called boiling potatoes stand up well in soups and stews. These have thin skin and are high in moisture and low in starch. Potatoes that are low-starch and high-moisture hold together better. Yukon Gold potatoes are on the medium-starch side and will hold their shape in soups.

    What makes stew more flavorful? ›

    What can you do to make stew more flavorful? Finish it with fresh herbs, of course! Except for thyme, herbs lose their flavor as they simmer. So add dried spices at the beginning of the cooking time and fresh spices (like parsley, dill, tarragon or rosemary) at the end to add a punch of fresh flavor.

    Why do you put brown meat in stew? ›

    Most recipes for beef stew start with cutting meat into cubes, then browning the cubes in a big pot. The idea is that browning builds flavor through the Maillard reaction, which will then get spread around through the whole pot as the meat and vegetables slowly braise in liquid.

    What is the most eaten food in Hungary? ›

    Bread is perhaps the most important and basic part of the Hungarian diet. It is eaten at all meals, accompanying main dishes.

    What do Hungarians eat for breakfast? ›

    In Hungary, a typical breakfast may consist of fresh bread, cold sausage type minced meat products (such as kolbász or szalámi), some vegetables or jam. Lunch is the main meal of the day, usually consisting of three courses: soup is followed by a main dish and a dessert.

    What time do Hungarians eat dinner? ›

    #6 - In Hungary, people usually eat dinner between 7 and 9 p.m., and it's the main meal of the day. For the best experience, try booking a table for 8 p.m. Most fine dining restaurants turn only one table an evening, meaning that you should be able to score an 8 p.m. reservation.

    What is the No 1 soup in the world? ›

    TasteAtlas has named khao soi as the number one soup in the world, and the internet has so many questions. Us included. This is why many are confused by khao soi getting the #1 spot. According to Cambridge Dictionary, a soup (n.) is a usually hot, liquid food made from vegetables, meat, or fish.

    What is the oldest soup in the world? ›

    Perpetual stew
    Cocido montañés, a Cantabrian version of perpetual stew
    Alternative namesHunter's pot, hunter's stew
    TypeStew

    What is the most popular meat in Hungary? ›

    What to eat in Hungary? 7 Most Popular Hungarian Meat Products
    • Pork Rinds. Töpörtyű HUNGARY. and 10 more regions. ...
    • Disznósajt. HUNGARY. shutterstock. 3.2. ...
    • Budapesti téliszalámi. Budapest. Hungary. dreamstime. ...
    • Szegedi szalámi. Szeged. Hungary. ...
    • Gyulai kolbász. Gyula. Hungary. ...
    • Csabai kolbász. Békéscsaba. Hungary. ...
    • Lard. Szalonna. HUNGARY.
    Feb 19, 2023

    What is the most popular Hungarian street food? ›

    Chimney cake, goulash, and langos are some of the common street foods in Hungary. You can also find many soups and stews, it's a big part of Hungarian culture! Street food in Budapest serves up a variety of delicious meals for travelers. You will see many food trucks and street food carts lined up along the streets.

    Why do Hungarians like paprika so much? ›

    After the Turkish closed many of the essential trade routes, Hungary was looking for new a spice that could replace pepper, which led to a rapidly growing demand for paprika from the West. Since the beginning of the 18th century, paprika has become much more popular.

    What makes a goulash a goulash? ›

    Goulash (Hungarian: gulyás) is a soup or stew of meat and vegetables seasoned with hot paprika and other spices. Originating in Hungary, goulash is a common meal predominantly eaten in Central Europe but also in other parts of Europe. It is one of the national dishes of Hungary and a symbol of the country.

    What's the difference between goulash and paprikash? ›

    The basic difference between a goulash and a paprikash (or gulyás and paprikás if you're feeling particularly Hungarian) is that a paprikash will be thickened with flour and finished with sour cream, while a goulash never includes either.

    What is the difference between Austrian and Hungarian goulash? ›

    The base of the two is similar and uses the same seasoning. However, Hungarian goulash often includes vegetables like potatoes, carrots, onions, celery, peppers, and tomatoes, whereas Austrian goulash contains only beef and onions.

    What is the difference between Czech and Hungarian goulash? ›

    Czech goulash differs from Hungarian goulash, of course. It tends to be milder and beefier, with fewer vegetables than its Hungarian counterpart; it's sometimes made with beer, and it's always served with houskové knedlíky, the ubiquitous Czech bread dumplings, not noodles, potatoes, nor sour cream.

    What is Slumgullion made of? ›

    In its most basic recipe, slumgullion is made out of beef, macaroni, and some sort of a red sauce. Hungarian Goulash, however, is the dish that features slow-simmered beef chunks in a paprika sauce.

    What type of paprika is best for goulash? ›

    Hungarian Paprika

    It's the country's spice of choice, a staple in Hungary's national dish: Goulash.

    What do Hungarians call paprika? ›

    Paprika is the Hungarian word for pepper, and Hungarian-style paprika is not smoked, but rather fairly sweet. It was the Turks who introduced the chilies to Hungary, and it's a very popular spice in Hungarian cuisine, giving distinctive flavor to soups and stews such as chicken paprikash and beef goulash.

    Can I use regular paprika instead of Hungarian? ›

    If you don't have hot Hungarian paprika on hand, combine sweet paprika and cayenne powder to achieve the flavor and spice level you're looking for. Use this kind of paprika for classic Hungarian recipes like Goulash and Chicken Paprikash that put the country's spice front and center.

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