Hungarian Goulash in The Crockpot

Hungarian goulash in a Pioneer Woman bowl.

This hearty Hungarian Goulash is a comforting beef stew packed with tender chunks of beef, sweet paprika, onions, and garlic all slow-cooked to perfection. Using a crockpot makes it an easy, hands-off dish that’s perfect for busy days or chilly nights.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 8

Course dinner

Cuisine American, Hungarian

Servings 6 bowls

Ingredients

2 lb chuck roast
2 tbsp oil
1 onion chopped
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 can diced tomatoes
4 tbsp sweet Hungarian paprika
1 3/4 cups beef broth
1 bay leaf
2 tbsp cornstarch
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Start by patting the chuck roast dry with paper towels. This helps it to sear and develop a rich, brown crust.
In a large frying pan, warm up 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. Sear the chuck roast on all sides until it’s nicely seared—about 2–3 minutes per side. Once seared, transfer the roast to your crockpot.
In the same pan, using the leftover oil and browned bits from the beef, add the chopped onion and sauté for about 4 minutes, until it’s soft and fragrant.
Now stir in the can of diced tomatoes, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 3 tbsp tomato paste, and 4 tbsp sweet Hungarian paprika. Let it all warm through for a minute or two.
Next, pour in the 1¾ cups of beef broth, toss in the bay leaf, and sprinkle in the 2 tbsp of cornstarch. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir well until everything is combined and starting to simmer. Taste the sauce at this point and adjust the salt or paprika if needed.
Once the sauce is bubbling, pour it all over the seared chuck roast in the crockpot. Make sure the roast is mostly submerged in the sauce—that’s what helps it cook evenly and stay moist.
Set your crock pot on LOW and cook for 8 hours. By the end of the day, your beef will be fork-tender.
Once the goulash is ready, remove the bay leaf and shred the beef with a couple of forks right in the crockpot. It should come apart easily.
Serve the goulash over a bed of egg noodles, or go rustic with mashed potatoes, rice, or even spaetzle.

Notes

Storage & Leftovers

Hungarian Goulash stores great, and the flavors only get better the next day. Here’s how to handle leftovers:

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freeze for up to 3 months—just make sure it’s cooled completely before freezing.

Reheat on the stove over medium heat, or in the microwave.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different cut of beef?

Yes! Chuck roast is ideal because it’s flavorful and becomes tender after slow cooking, but you could also use stew meat or even brisket.

What’s the difference between Hungarian Goulash and American Goulash?

American Goulash is more of a pasta dish with ground beef and tomato sauce. Hungarian Goulash is a rich beef stew flavored with paprika and served over noodles or potatoes.

Can I make it vegetarian?

Sure! Swap the beef for mushrooms and use vegetable broth in place of the beef broth.

Keyword chuck roast, crockpot, dinner, egg noodles, ideas, recipe