When the cold weather sets in, nothing beats a steaming bowl of something hearty and rich in flavor. Enter Crockpot Goulash – a dish that will warm you from the inside out. This Hungarian-inspired meal combines tender beef, vibrant bell peppers, and the signature, smoky flavor of sweet paprika, creating a dish that’s perfect for cozy nights. Not only is this goulash easy to make, but it also fills your home with the mouthwatering aromas of simmering spices and slow-cooked goodness. If you’re looking for something that is both delicious and easy to prepare, this slow-cooked goulash might just become your new favorite go-to dish.
PrintCrockpot Goulash: A Hearty Hungarian Delight
🍲🌶️ Warm up with the comforting taste of Crockpot Goulash! This hearty Hungarian dish combines tender beef, rich spices, and pasta in a deliciously savory sauce. 😍✨ With minimal effort and maximum flavor, it’s the perfect dish to fill your home with comforting aromas and satisfy your hunger. One bite, and you’ll be hooked! 😋🍽️
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- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes – 7 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef stew meat, cubed
- 2 bell peppers, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp sweet paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Ingredients
Start by chopping your vegetables. Dice the bell peppers and onion into small pieces—about ½-inch cubes work best. For the beef stew meat, if it’s not already cubed, cut it into bite-sized chunks. Make sure the pieces are uniform in size for even cooking.
Step 2: Combine in the Crockpot
Once all your ingredients are prepped, place the beef stew meat, bell peppers, onions, and diced tomatoes into the crockpot. Sprinkle in the paprika, and then add the beef broth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Give everything a gentle stir to make sure the paprika and seasonings are evenly distributed.
Step 3: Slow Cook
Cover the crockpot and set it to cook on low for 6-7 hours. The low and slow cooking method is key to tenderizing the beef and allowing all the flavors to meld together. As it cooks, the beef will absorb the spices, while the peppers and onions soften and release their natural sweetness into the broth. You’ll be greeted by a mouthwatering aroma that fills your kitchen.
Step 4: Serve
Once the cooking time is up, check the beef for tenderness. It should be fork-tender and easy to shred with a fork. Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning if necessary. If you find the sauce is too thin, you can let it cook uncovered for an additional 20-30 minutes to allow it to reduce and thicken. If it’s too thick, add a little extra beef broth to reach your desired consistency.
Serve the goulash hot, either on its own or over a bed of mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, or a side of crusty bread. The sauce should be rich and savory, and the beef should melt in your mouth with each bite. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or a dollop of sour cream for extra richness.
Notes
- Beef Substitute: If you’re looking for a lighter option, you can substitute the beef stew meat with chicken thighs or pork. Both options will absorb the flavors well and provide a different twist on the classic.
- Vegetarian Version: For a meat-free version, consider using hearty vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or eggplant in place of the beef. You may also want to add a bit of extra vegetable broth to make up for the lack of meat.
- Spicy Goulash: If you enjoy heat, you can swap out some of the sweet paprika for smoked paprika or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to give the goulash an extra kick.
- Broth Choices: For a deeper flavor, try using homemade beef broth or a mixture of beef and chicken broth. You can also try adding a splash of red wine to enhance the richness of the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours
The Appeal of Crockpot Goulash
Crockpot Goulash is a dish that embodies everything we love about comfort food. With minimal prep time, it can be set and forgotten, allowing you to get on with your day while the magic happens in the slow cooker. The beauty of this dish is not only in its simplicity but in how the flavors develop over time. The beef stew meat becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender, while the bell peppers and onions add depth and sweetness. The secret ingredient that really elevates this dish, however, is the sweet paprika, which adds a distinctive earthy and slightly smoky flavor, a hallmark of authentic Hungarian goulash.
This meal is perfect for family dinners, weeknight meals, or even special gatherings when you want to impress your guests with a dish that looks and tastes like you’ve spent hours in the kitchen. Plus, it’s flexible—whether you serve it over mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or simply with a slice of rustic bread, the hearty nature of the dish makes it incredibly versatile.
The slow-cooking process also allows for the ingredients to meld together beautifully, creating a rich, savory sauce that can be soaked up with the sides you choose to serve it with. It’s no wonder this goulash has stood the test of time, becoming a favorite among those who appreciate simple, yet flavorful meals.
A Breakdown of Ingredients
Before you dive into the cooking process, let’s take a closer look at the ingredients that make this Crockpot Goulash such a delightful dish.
Beef Stew Meat (2 lbs):
The base of this dish is the beef stew meat, which becomes the star of the show after slow cooking. When choosing beef for goulash, opt for cuts that are typically used for stews, like chuck roast or round steak. These cuts are well-marbled and benefit from long cooking times, resulting in tender, juicy pieces of meat. The fat renders down during the slow cooking process, imparting a rich, savory flavor to the dish. The meat absorbs all the spices and broth, making each bite bursting with flavor.
Bell Peppers (2, chopped):
Bell peppers add a lovely touch of sweetness and color to the goulash. Their soft texture and mild flavor balance the richness of the beef and the spices. You can use any color of bell pepper, though red and yellow peppers provide a slightly sweeter flavor. When chopped, they blend seamlessly into the dish, adding texture without overwhelming the other ingredients.
Onion (1, chopped):
Onions are the building block of flavor in many dishes, and this goulash is no exception. The onions will soften and sweeten during cooking, infusing the broth with their natural sugars and savory goodness. Chopping the onion into medium-sized pieces ensures they melt into the goulash while still contributing their aromatic essence.
Beef Broth (3 cups):
The beef broth forms the liquid base for this goulash, helping to create a rich and flavorful sauce that coats the beef and vegetables. It provides depth to the dish and helps to tenderize the beef as it cooks. You can use homemade beef broth or store-bought, depending on what’s available to you. For an even richer flavor, consider using low-sodium beef broth so that you can control the amount of salt added later.
Diced Tomatoes (1 can, 14.5 oz):
The diced tomatoes add both moisture and acidity to the dish, balancing the richness of the beef and broth. They also add a slight sweetness that complements the paprika and other spices. You can use fresh tomatoes instead of canned if you prefer, though the canned variety offers convenience and consistency. The tomatoes break down over the slow cooking process, helping to thicken the sauce and adding to the overall heartiness of the dish.
Paprika (2 tbsp, sweet):
Paprika is the defining spice in Hungarian goulash, and this dish is no exception. Sweet paprika, which is milder than its hot counterpart, adds a gentle smokiness and earthy flavor. It’s this spice that sets the tone for the dish and creates the signature taste that you’ll recognize in goulash. Hungarian paprika is often recommended for an authentic flavor, though regular sweet paprika will work just fine.
Salt and Pepper (to taste):
Salt and pepper are essential to bringing out the natural flavors of the beef and vegetables. Be sure to taste the goulash before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed. A pinch of salt and a few cracks of freshly ground black pepper can make a world of difference in enhancing the dish’s depth of flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Now that we’ve covered the ingredients, let’s move on to the preparation. Fortunately, making Crockpot Goulash is incredibly simple, thanks to the slow cooker’s convenience. Here’s how to make this flavorful dish:
Step 1: Prep the Ingredients
Start by chopping your vegetables. Dice the bell peppers and onion into small pieces—about ½-inch cubes work best. For the beef stew meat, if it’s not already cubed, cut it into bite-sized chunks. Make sure the pieces are uniform in size for even cooking.
Step 2: Combine in the Crockpot
Once all your ingredients are prepped, place the beef stew meat, bell peppers, onions, and diced tomatoes into the crockpot. Sprinkle in the paprika, and then add the beef broth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Give everything a gentle stir to make sure the paprika and seasonings are evenly distributed.
Step 3: Slow Cook
Cover the crockpot and set it to cook on low for 6-7 hours. The low and slow cooking method is key to tenderizing the beef and allowing all the flavors to meld together. As it cooks, the beef will absorb the spices, while the peppers and onions soften and release their natural sweetness into the broth. You’ll be greeted by a mouthwatering aroma that fills your kitchen.
Step 4: Serve
Once the cooking time is up, check the beef for tenderness. It should be fork-tender and easy to shred with a fork. Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning if necessary. If you find the sauce is too thin, you can let it cook uncovered for an additional 20-30 minutes to allow it to reduce and thicken. If it’s too thick, add a little extra beef broth to reach your desired consistency.
Serve the goulash hot, either on its own or over a bed of mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, or a side of crusty bread. The sauce should be rich and savory, and the beef should melt in your mouth with each bite. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or a dollop of sour cream for extra richness.
Flavor and Texture: What to Expect
One of the joys of Crockpot Goulash is the way the flavors develop as they slowly simmer together. The beef becomes tender and flavorful, soaking up the rich, spiced broth, while the bell peppers and onions soften and meld into the sauce. The sweetness from the bell peppers and the tomatoes perfectly balances the earthy smokiness of the paprika. The result is a dish that has depth, warmth, and complexity.
The textures of the dish are also a highlight. The beef is tender and falls apart with ease, while the bell peppers and onions retain some bite, adding a pleasant contrast to the tender meat. The sauce is thick, rich, and savory, making it perfect for soaking up with potatoes or bread.
Tips for Ingredient Substitutions and Variations
While this Crockpot Goulash recipe is simple and traditional, it’s also very adaptable. Here are a few ways to customize it:
- Beef Substitute: If you’re looking for a lighter option, you can substitute the beef stew meat with chicken thighs or pork. Both options will absorb the flavors well and provide a different twist on the classic.
- Vegetarian Version: For a meat-free version, consider using hearty vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or eggplant in place of the beef. You may also want to add a bit of extra vegetable broth to make up for the lack of meat.
- Spicy Goulash: If you enjoy heat, you can swap out some of the sweet paprika for smoked paprika or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to give the goulash an extra kick.
- Broth Choices: For a deeper flavor, try using homemade beef broth or a mixture of beef and chicken broth. You can also try adding a splash of red wine to enhance the richness of the dish.
Serving Suggestions
Crockpot Goulash is a versatile dish that pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Here are a few ideas for serving it:
- Mashed Potatoes: The creamy texture of mashed potatoes is the perfect counterpart to the rich and savory goulash.
- Roasted Potatoes: Crispy, roasted potatoes work wonderfully with the goulash, adding a bit of texture to the meal.
- Crusty Bread: A thick slice of warm, crusty bread is ideal for soaking up the flavorful sauce.
- Sour Cream: A dollop of sour cream on top of the goulash adds richness and tang, balancing the spices.
Conclusion
Crockpot Goulash is more than just a meal; it’s an experience. From the slow cooking process to the first bite, every step is designed to bring out the best in its ingredients. Whether you’re serving it to your family on a chilly evening or preparing it for a gathering, this dish promises to satisfy and impress. The combination of tender beef, sweet bell peppers, and smoky paprika creates a comforting and unforgettable meal that will surely become a favorite in your kitchen.