Authentic Beef Chuck Goulash Recipes

CHEF JOHN'S BEEF GOULASH

Steps:

• Season beef with salt and black pepper. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over high heat; cook and stir beef in hot oil in batches until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer to a large stockpot and reserve drippings in the skillet.
• Return skillet to medium heat; stir onions into the reserved drippings, drizzle olive oil over onions, season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook until onion has softened, about 5 minutes. Transfer to the stockpot with beef.
• Combine paprika, caraway seeds, black pepper, marjoram, thyme, and cayenne pepper in the skillet and toast over medium heat until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add 1 cup chicken broth and stir; transfer to the beef and onion mixture.
• Stir 3 cups chicken broth into beef mixture. Add tomato paste, garlic, vinegar, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and bay leaf; place stockpot over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until a fork inserts easily into the meat, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

HUNGARIAN BEEF GOULASH - AUTHENTIC HUNGARIAN GOULASH RECIPE

Steps:

• Cut the beef chuck into small cubes, about 2 cm/ 0.7 inches. Place them onto paper towels and pat them dry with more paper towels. Chop the onions very finely. Chop the pepper and the tomatoes as well.
• Melt some of the lard (or oil) in a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed stewing pot. Fry the beef cubes in 2 or 3 batches, depending on the size of your Dutch oven. Fry for about 5 minutes per batch or until nicely browned on all sides. Add more of the lard before each batch. Transfer the fried beef cubes to a plate and set them aside.
• Add about 1 teaspoon more lard to the pot and fry the chopped onions until very lightly colored, about 5 minutes, stirring often and keeping an eye on them. If they threaten to catch, add a splash of water and continue cooking.
• Add the garlic, chopped peppers, tomatoes, and bay leaves and cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring a few times in between.
• Add the paprika and caraway. Stir well for about 1 minute, add the tomato paste and stir well again. Add the meat cubes and the beef broth, stir well.
• Cover the pot, bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer the Hungarian beef goulash until the meat is very tender about 1 ½ - 2 hours. Check to make sure that the meat is really tender.
• Uncover the pot and continue cooking the goulash for another 10-15 minutes until the sauce reduces and thickens slightly. Adjust the taste with salt and pepper.

AUTHENTIC AUSTRIAN BEEF GOULASH

Steps:

• Cut beef into 2-inch (5-6 cm) cubes. Only trim off thick outside fat, in case there is any. The interior fat will be rendered out during cooking which makes the beef tender and the sauce smooth and thick.
• Peel onions and cut them in half, lengthwise. Cut into thin and even half-moon slices to ensure they all cook evenly later.
• Heat 1 tablespoon clarified butter or oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add beef and sear, turning occasionally, until beef is browned, about 5-10 minutes. The pot shouldn't be crowded or the meat won't brown nicely. Rather add beef in two batches. Add more oil if needed. Transfer beef to a large plate and set aside.
• Add a tablespoon clarified butter or oil and the sliced onions to the pot. Cook for 8-10 minutes over high heat, stirring steadily. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until the onions are golden brown and soft, stirring often, about 15 minutes.
• Note: This step is optional. You can add marjoram and caraway seeds as is (almost all recipes do so). I, on the other hand, always mince marjoram and caraway seeds to transform them into powder (or at least chop finely). Mince the marjoram with a sharp knife until powdery. This works very well and you'll be finished within 30 seconds. Now the trickier part: Usually, caraway seeds tend to be too firm to crush with a mortar and pestle. Either, grind caraway seeds with an electric grinder (coffee grinder), or chop them with a knife. I usually sprinkle the seeds onto a dollop of softened (clarified) butter and mince them with a sharp knife. The butter prevents the caraway seeds to jump off the cutting board. Add the seeds including the (clarified) butter during the next step.
• Add tomato paste, marjoram, caraway seeds, and paprika to the onions. Stir for about 20 seconds. Do not roast longer since paprika will get bitter if roasted for too long. To be on the safe side, you can add all the spices except paprika. Roast them for ½ to 1 minute. Now add paprika and stir for a few seconds.
• Immediately add vinegar, followed by a cup (240 ml) of water. Stir well and let the onion-mix reduce until almost all liquids have evaporated, about 15 minutes.
• Add another cup of cold water (for easier blending) and blend using an (immersion) blender, then return to pot. The sauce will be orange but will darken the longer it cooks.
• Add salt, bay leaves, and beef with any accumulated juices to the pot. Stir to combine, cover with a lid, and return to a simmer over low heat. Only if the beef cooks low and slow it will get tender. This will take about 3 hours. The sauce will get darker in color and it will thicken slightly. Season to taste with salt (you will probably have to add a pinch or two).
• In theory, the goulash is ready now. However, I highly suggest letting it cool overnight (put it in the fridge, lid on) and reheating the goulash the following day. This will enhance the flavor and texture. You can reheat it over the next couple of days, the goulash will only get better. Add a little water to thin, if needed. Store in the fridge in between.
• Serve with a crunchy Kaiser roll and Austrian-style pasta like Spaetzle or Nockerl. Enjoy!

AUTHENTIC HUNGARIAN GOULASH

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large soup pot over medium high heat. Saute onions until soft, then add beef and brown. Stir in caraway seed, marjoram, garlic and paprika. Pour water over all, lower heat to low and simmer for 2 1/2 hours.
• Add potatoes and cook until tender, another 45 minutes to 1 hour. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

AUTHENTIC BEEF CHUCK GOULASH

Steps:

• in dutch oven or electric skillet: roll beef in paprika, saute in fat.
• Add rest of ingredients, except sour cream.
• Bring to slow boil, cover, and simmer for 3-4 hours, checking liquid levels.
• When done, serve over hot buttered noodles or potatoes -- top w/ sour cream.

CHUCK STEAK GOULASH

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the flour and pepper. Dredge the steaks through the flour mixture until well coated.
• In a large skillet over medium, heat the olive oil. Add the steaks and cook until well browned on both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer the steaks to a plate and set aside.
• Melt the butter in the skillet. Add the onions and saute until are well browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in the paprika and caraway seeds and cook for 1 minute longer.
• Stir in the beef broth. Return the steaks to the skillet and cover the pan tightly. Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook until the steaks are quite tender and the sauce is thickened, 45 to 55 minutes.
• Season with salt and stir in parsley, if using.