The Best Goulash Soup Recipe

A Thick Rich Warming Soup. Or Is It A Stew?

I love a good casserole and I also love thick, rich flavoursome soups. Sometimes it can be hard to determine one from the other. In fact in many cultures a good stew will have plenty of broth for the sole purpose of mopping up with crusty bread. When I travelled to Germany I thought I had discovered a brand new dish - something called Gulaschsuppe. It was on the menus in many of the small cafes and bars we visited since much of the time we were there was in the colder months. It tasted very similar to what I knew as Goulash but was more like a soup. I have since learned that the traditional Goulash is exactly that - a broth or soup, traditionally cooked in a big pot over a fire. Here is what I think is the Best Goulash Soup recipe.

Image used under a Creative Commons licence from Jametiks' photostream

Contents at a Glance

1. Before You Start
2. What You'll Need To Make The Best Goulash Soup
3. I Love My Cast Iron Pot
4. A Good Cutting Board Makes The Job Easier
5. How To Make The Best Goulash Soup
6. You Can Make The Best Goulash Soup In A...

Before You Start

Have your ingredients ready. Chop your meat and vegetables. Have your utensils ready and your workspace prepared. And of course, wash your hands.

What You'll Need To Make The Best Goulash Soup

* 2 lbs.- beef (cut in small cubes)
* 35 grams/1 oz butter
* 2 Tbsp. olive oil
* 4 medium onions, chopped
* 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
* 2 Tbsp. paprika
* salt & pepper to taste
* 1/2 tsp. caraway seeds
* 3 Tbsp. tomato paste
* 1 bay leaf
* 3 cup water
* 2 -cup beef broth
* 1/2 cup red wine
* 4 medium potatoes, diced

I Love My Cast Iron Pot

This is by far the best item in my kitchen. I love my cast iron cooking pot. It goes on the stove top or in the oven. I can do soups, stews, curries casseroles in it. It is fabulous for slow cooking. I can fry off my vegetables and brown my meat in it without having to change pans. And it heats really well. I also find cleaning it easier than my stainless steel pots. It's just brilliant

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Round French Oven

* Handmade enameled cast-iron construction; works with all cooking surfaces
* Dishwasher-safe
* Allows you to bake, broil, braise, saute, marinate, refrigerate, and freeze
* Food will not react with porcelain enamel surface
* Lifetime warranty

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A Good Cutting Board Makes The Job Easier

of preparing your ingredients for the best goulash soup

Totally Bamboo 20-7930 3-Piece Cutting Board Set

How To Make The Best Goulash Soup

Heat the oil and butter together and brown the meat in batches so it doesn’t stew in its juices. Return all the meat to the pot. Add onions and garlic and cook until onions have softened and become translucent. Add paprika and stir until well combined. Add caraway seeds and bay leaf. Stir tomato paste into broth then add to pot along with water and red wine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to the boil then cover and lower heat until just simmering. Cook for 45 minutes to an hour. Add potatoes and cook for a further 45 minutes or until meat is very tender and potatoes are soft but still retain their shape.

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You Can Make The Best Goulash Soup In A Slow Cooker

This recipe is ideal for a slow cooker. I still like to brown my meat first and soften my vegetables but you could just add the whole lot to the pot and go.

The 4 quart slow cooker from Hamilton Beach offers: 

• VERSATILE COOKING WITH 15 PROGRAMMABLE OPTIONS: Mix and match warm, low or high heat settings with your choice of 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 hours of cooking time.
• SET IT AND FORGET IT: The programmable slow cooker automatically switches to keep warm after cooking is complete. No watching or stirring needed. You can set it and forget it.
• PERFECT FOR FAMILY MEALS, POTLUCKS AND PARTIES: The 4 quart slow cooker has a stoneware crock that can fit a variety of foods, from lasagna and desserts to meat. It will hold a 4 lb. chicken or a 2 lb. roast. Serves 4 plus people.
• EASY TO CARRY: This Hamilton Beach slow cooker has full-grip handles that make it easy to carry.
• EASY TO CLEAN: This Hamilton Beach slow cooker has a removable stoneware crock and glass lid that are dishwasher safe, and the touchpad easily wipes clean.

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Goulash - Soup Or Stew?

So what's more right for you - is an authentic Goulash a soup or a stew?

Goulash is a thick, rich stew with meat so tender it melts in your mouth.

A true Goulash is a soup full of flavour and served with chunks of warm crusty bread.

Who cares if it is a soup or stew just don't hold back and don't let it get cold.

All fascinating stuff but I'm a vegetarian so I couldn't care less!

• CarolHoule Jan 22, 2014 @ 3:51 pm
  Looks Yummy, thanks.

  
  
• kabbalah Mar 03, 2013 @ 9:41 pm
  I don't think I've ever had any

  
  
• White_Roses Feb 21, 2013 @ 7:04 pm
  Yummy, yummy! I think I am hungry now and it is very late for me to eat :) I love goulash, thanks for sharing this, I think I will have one for lunch tomorrow.

  
  
• john9229 Feb 14, 2013 @ 9:36 am
  I love the Goulash Soup Recipe your have share! Nice!

  
  
• greenlungsofpoland Jan 20, 2013 @ 6:33 am
  Love the Polish version of hungarian goulash that my husband's mother makes :)

  
  
• SynchronicityHouse Nov 10, 2012 @ 8:22 am
  This sounds delicious - we'll be trying your recipe out now that Winter is making his way to the UK! Fab Lens - thanks

  
  
• Ilona1 Jun 25, 2012 @ 11:51 am
  Oh my- now I am sooo hungry. This is a great recipe, thanks!

  
  
• KimGiancaterino Jun 07, 2012 @ 11:56 pm
  My husband likes to make Goulash in the slow cooker. I'm a vegetarian, but don't mind because it makes the house smell wonderful. He will have to try your recipe next time.

  
  
• lftypjk900 Jan 29, 2012 @ 9:36 am
  what a great lens and great recipe I plan on making some this week! Thanks!

  
  
• Stazjia Aug 12, 2011 @ 5:32 am
  This sounds a long way from the so-called goulash we had for school lunches. I'm going to try this recipe which sounds delicious.

   

   

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