Best 5 Chef Johns Beef Goulash Recipes

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If you're craving the classic comfort of a beef goulash, look no further than Chef John's extraordinary recipe. This hearty dish, with its rich flavors and melt-in-your-mouth texture, is a delightful blend of savory beef, tender vegetables, and a sumptuous sauce. Experience the magic of Chef John's beef goulash, a culinary delight that will transport you to a world of culinary contentment.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

CHEF JOHN'S AMERICAN GOULASH



Chef John's American Goulash image

One of my all-time favorite comfort food meals growing up was the beef goulash they served in my school cafeteria alongside a slice of buttered white bread and a carton of milk. Little did I know that it wasn't really goulash, but an Americanized version, invented to stretch a small amount of beef into enough food for a not-so-small family. This is one of those very simple dishes that does not taste simple--perfect for your weeknight dinner rotation.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Stews     Goulash Recipes

Time 1h15m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, diced
2 pounds ground beef
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
2 tablespoons paprika
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2 bay leaves
1 quart chicken broth
1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
1 cup water
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 cups elbow macaroni
¼ cup chopped Italian parsley
1 cup shredded white Cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and ground beef. Cook, breaking the meat into small pieces, until browned, about 5 minutes. Cook and stir until liquid is evaporated, 3 to 5 minutes more. Add garlic, salt, black pepper, cayenne, paprika, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves.
  • Cook and stir until flavors come together, about 3 minutes. Pour in chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and marinara sauce. Rinse out the jar with 1 cup water and pour into the pot. Add soy sauce, stir, and bring soup to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium and simmer to let flavors intensify, about 30 minutes.
  • Increase heat to medium-high and bring soup to a simmer. Add macaroni; simmer, stirring occasionally, until just barely tender, about 12 minutes. Check for doneness after 10 minutes.
  • Remove goulash from heat. Discard bay leaves; stir in parsley and Cheddar cheese. Cover and let rest for 5 minutes. Taste and season as desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 336.3 calories, Carbohydrate 25.1 g, Cholesterol 58.1 mg, Fat 17.3 g, Fiber 3.2 g, Protein 18.9 g, SaturatedFat 6.9 g, Sodium 1168.9 mg, Sugar 7.4 g

CHEF JOHN'S BEEF GOULASH



Chef John's Beef Goulash image

This Hungarian-style goulash is a thick beef stew that is great served over buttered noodles and garnished with sour cream.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Stews     Goulash Recipes

Time 2h30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 19

2 ½ pounds boneless beef chuck roast, cut into 2-inch cubes
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 onions, chopped
2 teaspoons olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons Hungarian paprika
2 teaspoons caraway seeds, crushed
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried marjoram
½ teaspoon ground thyme
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 cups chicken broth, divided
¼ cup tomato paste
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon white sugar
½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 bay leaf

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 573.3 calories, Carbohydrate 13.4 g, Cholesterol 134 mg, Fat 41.2 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 36 g, SaturatedFat 13.9 g, Sodium 1756.6 mg, Sugar 7.5 g

WOLFGANG'S BEEF GOULASH



Wolfgang's Beef Goulash image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 4h5m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 29

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 cups onions, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon sugar
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon caraway seeds, toasted and ground
1 1/2 tablespoons sweet paprika
1 teaspoon spicy paprika
2 tablespoons minced fresh marjoram leaves
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves
1 bay leaf
3 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
4 cups chicken stock
2 1/2 pounds beef shank, cut into 2-inch cubes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Spaetzle, recipe follows
4 egg yolks
1 egg
1 3/4 cups milk
1 pound (about 3 cups) all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup peanut oil
Salt
Pepper
2 ounces unsalted butter
1 tablespoon fresh minced parsley

Steps:

  • In a large saute pan, heat the olive oil and saute the onions and sugar until caramelized. Add the garlic and caraway seed. Cook for 1 minute. Add the sweet and sharp paprika, marjoram, thyme, and bay leaf. Saute another minute, until fragrant. Add the tomato paste. Deglaze with the vinegar and the stock and add the pieces of beef shank, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer and cook until very tender, about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve with Spaetzle on the side.
  • In a small bowl, beat together the egg yolks, egg and milk. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and mix with hand until well blended. Do not overmix at this stage. Cover the bowl and refrigerate. Allow the batter to rest for at least 1 hour.
  • Bring salted water to a boil. Place a perforated hotel pan on top of the pot. Place the batter on the pan and force through the holes to form spaetzle. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until al dente. Transfer cooked spaetzle to a bowl of ice water to shock. When cool to the touch, drain well. Stir in half the oil. (At this point you can cover and refrigerate up to 2 days).
  • Over high heat, place a large saute pan until it gets very hot. Add the remaining 1/4 cup of oil and the boiled spaetzle. Saute until golden. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Finish with butter and sprinkle with parsley.

CHEF JOHN'S BEEF GOULASH



Chef John's Beef Goulash image

This Hungarian-style goulash is a thick beef stew that is great served over buttered noodles and garnished with sour cream.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Stews     Goulash Recipes

Time 2h30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 19

2 ½ pounds boneless beef chuck roast, cut into 2-inch cubes
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 onions, chopped
2 teaspoons olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons Hungarian paprika
2 teaspoons caraway seeds, crushed
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried marjoram
½ teaspoon ground thyme
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 cups chicken broth, divided
¼ cup tomato paste
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon white sugar
½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 bay leaf

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 573.3 calories, Carbohydrate 13.4 g, Cholesterol 134 mg, Fat 41.2 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 36 g, SaturatedFat 13.9 g, Sodium 1756.6 mg, Sugar 7.5 g

CHEF JOHN'S BEEF AND BARLEY STEW



Chef John's Beef and Barley Stew image

This beautiful bowl of beef and barley would be perfect for your next super-storm. When it comes to stick-to-your-ribs stews, it doesn't get any better than shank. There's so much gelatin-producing connective tissue, that it makes an especially satisfying sauce for your meat and grain.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Stews     Beef

Time 3h45m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 thick slices beef shank
kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
4 cups chicken broth, or more as needed
⅔ cup diced celery
⅔ cup diced carrots
1 bay leaf
¼ teaspoon dried rosemary
½ cup pearl barley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, or to taste
1 tablespoon freshly grated raw horseradish, or to taste

Steps:

  • Season beef all over with kosher salt and black pepper.
  • Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over high heat. Cook beef in hot oil until browned on both sides, about 10 minutes. Transfer beef to a plate.
  • Reduce heat to medium, and stir onion into the same pot with a pinch of salt. Cook and stir until onion is soft and translucent, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir garlic into onion; cook and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Stir tomato paste into onion mixture; cook and stir until tomato paste is brick red, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour broth into onion mixture. Add celery, carrots, bay leaf, and rosemary. Return beef with any accumulated juices to pot; push beef down to cover with cooking liquid.
  • Bring broth mixture to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and cook until beef is fork-tender, 2 to 3 hours. Transfer beef to a bowl.
  • Pour barley into cooking liquid, bring to a simmer, and cook until barley is tender, about 45 minutes. Return beef to pot, cover the pot, and cook until heated through, about 10 minutes. Season with salt. Ladle stew into bowls and garnish with parsley and horseradish.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 338.8 calories, Carbohydrate 27 g, Cholesterol 57.4 mg, Fat 14.3 g, Fiber 6 g, Protein 25.4 g, SaturatedFat 4.4 g, Sodium 1200.3 mg, Sugar 5.1 g

Tips:

  • Use high-quality beef for the best flavor. Chuck roast or stew meat are both good options.
  • Brown the beef in batches to prevent overcrowding and ensure even cooking.
  • Use a variety of vegetables for a more flavorful goulash. Onions, carrots, celery, and bell peppers are all good choices.
  • Add paprika, cumin, and caraway seeds for a classic goulash flavor.
  • Use beef broth or stock for a richer flavor.
  • Simmer the goulash for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to develop.
  • Serve the goulash over egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice.

Conclusion:

Beef goulash is a hearty and flavorful stew that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With a few simple tips, you can make a delicious and satisfying beef goulash that your family and friends will love.

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