Slow Cooker Hungarian Goulash

A true set it and forget it dinner meal, this Crockpot Hungarian Goulash recipe is hearty, filling, and perfect for days you know you will have a limited time to cook. After cooking for 8 hours, the beef chuck all but falls apart and makes for a flavorful, easy dinner the family will love! Tender beef chunks with veggies in a soup/stew broth that has a rich warming flavor that is perfect for dinner.

Slow Cooker Hungarian Goulash

It’s no secret that I love a good slow cooker recipe and I especially love a slow cooker dinner. I’ve shared my love of slow-cooked freezer meals as the way I use my slow cooker to keep dinners cheap and budget friendly. This Hungarian Goulash recipe absolutely fits into both of those categories and it is one of my slow cooker recipes to make for chilly days.

While you can make stovetop Hungarian goulash or instant pot Hungarian goulash, I like to make mine in the slow cooker the most. Beef chuck is a piece of meat that needs to be cooked for a long time to break it down so that it’s tender so this isn’t a recipe you can rush and who wants to pay attention to a stove for that long? Not me.

I can get all the prep work done and then let it cook all day. When it is time for dinner I can make the rice or noodles (whichever I want to serve it over that day) along with a side dish like fresh homemade bread, cheddar biscuits, or buttermilk biscuits and I have an easy to make dinner.

What is Hungarian Goulash?

There are various types of goulash, all of which tend to be some sort of tomato-based sauce with meat served over noodles. Hungarian Goulash is very similar to a beef stew, with pieces of beef chuck and veggies all slow-roasted in a tomato paste broth. The key to Hungarian Goulash and what many say makes it different than a beef stew, is that Hungarian Goulash is always seasoned with paprika.

The vegetables in Hungarian goulash can vary. I keep it simple with mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers but you can also add in red bell pepper, potatoes, carrots, celery, and tomatoes. Some recipes also usually call for Hungarian sweet paprika but if you can’t find it (I couldn’t), you can substitute regular paprika with no problem. I have used both when making this when I can actually find the sweet paprika and it is amazing with either one you use.

Traditionally goulash is simmered for a long time in a pot, so you are able to use a cheaper cut of meat with this slow cooker goulash it has a long cook time which also means you can use a cheaper cut of meat (and cheaper cuts of meat also tend to be tough cuts of meat) so it makes it a very budget friendly recipe.

Hungarian Goulash is much different from an American goulash recipe (also knowns as American chop suey) that is made with a ground beef mixture in a tomato based sauce with macaroni noodles).

How Long does Slow Cooker Hungarian Goulash take to cook?

You want to have tender chunks of beef in your goulash when it is done cooking, and the way to do that is low heat and slow cooking time. Which makes this slow cooker goulash reipe perfect for prepping in the morning and then letting it slow cook all day.

With a full 8 to 10 hour cook time, this slow cooker Hungarian goulash is perfect for tossing in the crockpot in the morning and forgetting about it until dinner time. There’s usually just enough time remaining for me to make the egg noodles and serve. Easy peasy and the whole family loves it!

How do you serve Hungarian Goulash?

In my house, this easy Hungarian goulash recipe is served over egg noodles though you’ll find different variations on this as well. 

What to Serve with Beef Goulash

I like to serve this goulash recipe over pasta, my favorite being bowtie pasta. No particular reason that I use bowties, I just like the way they look. You can serve it on top of rice if you want to. I like to keep frozen rice in the freezer so all I have to do is heat it up and serve it for busy days that I don’t have time to make pasta to go along with this goulash.

If you are wanting to add more veggies, serve it with a fresh made salad.

You can also opt for serving with fresh bread, buttermilk biscuits, or cheddar biscuits that are great for soaking up the leftover broth in your bowl.

How do you store leftovers?

Allow the leftovers to cool completely and then store in an air tight container in the fridge.

How long does Hungarian Goulash last in the fridge?

It will keep in the fridge for 3 days in the fridge if stored in an airtight container.

Can I Freeze Hungarian Goulash?

Hungarian goulash makes a great freezer meal! Feel free to double or triple this recipe and make enough to keep in your freezer all winter long. Allow it to cool completely then transfer to plastic freezer bags or containers. Allow to thaw in the fridge, reheat on the stovetop, and enjoy!

Be sure to add the egg noodles just before serving instead of freezing them with the goulash.

What cut of beef is best for goulash?

I use lean beef chuck, cut into small pieces, in my Hungarian goulash. This is what is traditionally used. Chuck is ideal because it’s a cheap cut that needs to be cooked for hours in order to become tender – just as it is in this recipe! You can also use stew meat, or steak cut into pieces.

Other versions of goulash, such as American goulash, call for ground beef instead. 

How to thicken goulash

If you would like it to be extra thick you can add a slurry of 1 teaspoon of cold water and 1 teaspoon of cornstarch in a small bowl, add about 1/2 cup of the broth into a small sauce pan and then add the cornstarch mixture to the mixture and bring it to a boil on the stove. Then add the broth mixture back into the slow cooker and mix well to combine it with the goulash in the slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Hungarian Goulash Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 pounds mushrooms, sliced
• 2 medium yellow onions, halved and sliced
• 2 red bell peppers, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 2 pounds lean beef chuck, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
• 1/4 cup hungarian paprika, sweet paprika or smoked paprika
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons caraway seeds
• 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 4 teaspoons tomato paste
• egg noodles or rice to serve over

How to Make Slow Cooker Hungarian Goulash

In a skillet over medium heat add the oil and heat oil. Then add in the cut up pieces of beef and cook beed until browned.

Once the meat is browned, add in the paprika, flour, and caraway seeds and cook for one minute.

Spray the slow cooker with non stick cooking spray or line with a slow cooker liner.

Next, place beef meat mixture into the slow cooker.

Then pour one cup of beef broth into the slow cooker.

Wash and chop the veggies and add them to the slow cooker.

Then add in the tomato paste, sea salt, and garlic.

Give it a quick mix and put the lid on the slow cooker.

Set the cook temperature on low-heat setting and cook for 8-10 hours. Cook until the beef is tender and falls apart with a fork when poked.

Serve as desired over egg noodles or rice.

Easy Slow Cooker Recipes

• Slow Cooker sausage and peppers
• Slow Cooker stuffed cabbage rolls
• Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken dip
• Slow Cooker Beef lettuce wraps
• Slow Cooker Corned beef and cabbage
• slow cooker pork tenderloin
• Paprika Chicken