Original Austrian Goulash Recipe - Cook Like Czechs (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Petra Kupská

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I invite you to the table for a real Austrian goulash! It is cooked and prepared according to an authentic recipe I got from my friend, a native Viennese.

Original Austrian Goulash Recipe - Cook Like Czechs (1)

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About The Recipe

You may have heard of the famous Czech beef goulash with dumplings. Czechs love it and can't get enough of it. But our Austrian neighbors also have their own version of goulash, which tastes great.

Austrian goulash is traditionally made with beef. Tomato paste and sweet ground paprika are then added for better color. The typical taste of the dish is completed by goulash seasoning, which consists of dried marjoram, crushed caraway, and grated lemon zest.

Learn, how to crush caraway seeds and other dry spices by hand

In the Czech Republic, we know the Austrian goulash as Wiener or Viennese goulash (in Czech Vídeňský guláš). Vienna is the capital of Austria.

Here on the blog, you can find another famous Austrian recipe: Wiener Schnitzel

Ingredients

Back to the Austrian goulash! Below is the shopping list for this national dish.

Original Austrian Goulash Recipe - Cook Like Czechs (2)
  • Yellow onion; peeled and finely chopped
  • Beef; the best meat for stew is that which contains collagen and fat. These soften with slow stewing and give the goulash the desired flavor. The best beef for gulash is a cut from shank or shoulder.
  • Lard; or vegetable oil such as sunflower oil or canola
  • Sweet paprika; ground, ideally Hungarian-style paprika
  • Garlic cloves; crushed
  • Tomato paste
  • Goulash spices; (marjoram, caraway, yellow lemon zest) finely chopped
  • Water
  • Salt
  • A sprig of parsley; for garnish

You’ll find the exact amount of ingredients below in the recipe card, which you can also print out.

Instructions with Photos

STEP 1: Trim any tough bits from the beef, such as ligaments or excess fat. Cut the cleaned beef into pieces about 2 inches (5 cm) in size.

STEP 2: Peel the onion and chop it finely.

STEP 3: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the lard over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and fry until golden brown, stirring frequently. The onions must not be too brown or burn; otherwise, the goulash will get a bitter taste.

Original Austrian Goulash Recipe - Cook Like Czechs (3)

STEP 4: Add paprika and stir. Paprika must not fry; otherwise, it would burn.

Original Austrian Goulash Recipe - Cook Like Czechs (4)

STEP 5: Immediately add the chopped meat, goulash seasoning, crushed garlic, and about a teaspoon of salt. Stir until the meat cubes release their liquid. Let the liquid evaporate.

Original Austrian Goulash Recipe - Cook Like Czechs (5)

STEP 6: Add water so that the meat is about half submerged.

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STEP 7: Cover the pot with a lid, but not entirely, leaving a small space where the steam can escape.

STEP 8: Lower the heat so that the meat simmers slowly. Check regularly and always top up with water so that the meat is half covered with liquid. The meat must be stewed in its own juices, not boiled in water.

In this way, the goulash acquires its brown, rich color, and plump consistency so well loved and appreciated in Viennese inns and restaurants.

Original Austrian Goulash Recipe - Cook Like Czechs (7)

STEP 9: Slowly braise the meat until fully tender. Once the meat is tender to the core (it takes up to 3 hours), add as much water until the liquid covers it. Then let the whole thing simmer for another 10 minutes or so until you get a nice creamy juice.

Serving

In the past, a "small goulash" (with three pieces of meat) together with a Kaiser roll or a thick slice of rustic bread was served as breakfast in Viennese inns. A larger serving of goulash can be served on a soup plate. Garnish the dish with a sprig of parsley.

Both boiled potatoes and fluffy bread dumplings are suitable as sides. In the evening, a small glass of beer is a popular accompaniment to an Austrian goulash.

Original Austrian Goulash Recipe - Cook Like Czechs (8)

Storage

If you have any goulash leftover, let it cool completely and store covered in the fridge, where it will keep for about 3-4 days.

Equipment

A pot with a lid and a thicker bottom are ideal for preparing the goulash. My first choice is always a dutch oven, which heats evenly, maintains the temperature well, and the food inside is always perfectly cooked.

Cook’s Tips

  • As a rule of thumb: any goulash tastes best the next day, resting overnight in the fridge.
  • This goulash does not contain any flour or roux. The onions boil away completely and provide the necessary binding.
  • Count on the fact that it takes about 3 hours for the beef to soften. The goulash needs time to get the desired taste!

More goulash recipes

  • Szegediner goulash – made with sauerkraut
  • Czech beef goulash – hovězí guláš
  • Sausage goulash – buřtguláš

Recipe

Original Austrian Goulash Recipe - Cook Like Czechs (9)

Original Austrian Goulash

I invite you to the table for a real Austrian goulash! It is cooked according to an authentic recipe I got from my friend, a native Viennese.

Print Pin

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours hours

Total Time: 3 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Author: Petra Kupská

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Austrian

Keyword: Goulash Recipes

Ingredients

  • 1 and ⅔ lb (750 g) Yellow onion
  • 2 lb (900 g) Beef cut from shank or shoulder
  • 6 oz (170 g) Lard or vegetable oil such as sunflower oil or canola
  • 1 Tbsp Sweet Hungarian paprika
  • 2 Cloves of garlic
  • 1 Tbsp Tomato paste
  • 2 tsp Goulash spices dried marjoram, crushed caraway, yellow lemon zest finely chopped; ratio about 1:1:1
  • Water
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • Sprig of parsley for garnish

Instructions

  • Trim any tough bits from the beef, such as ligaments or excess fat. Cut the cleaned beef into pieces about 2 inches (5 cm) in size.

  • Peel the onion and chop it finely.

  • In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the lard over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and fry until golden brown, stirring frequently. The onions must not be too brown or burn; otherwise, the goulash will taste bitter.

  • Add paprika and stir. Paprika must not fry; otherwise, it would burn.

  • Immediately add the chopped meat, goulash seasoning, crushed garlic, and about a teaspoon of salt. Stir until the meat cubes release their liquid. Let the liquid evaporate.

  • Add water so that the meat is about half submerged.

  • Cover the pot with a lid, but not entirely, leaving a small space where steam can escape.

  • Lower the heat so that the meat simmers slowly. Check regularly and always top up with water so that the meat is half covered with liquid. The meat must be stewed in its own juices, not boiled in water. In this way, the goulash acquires its brown, rich color, and plump consistency so appreciated in Viennese Inns and restaurants.

  • Slowly braise the meat until fully tender. Once the meat is tender to the core (it takes up to 3 hours), add as much water until the liquid covers it. Then let the whole thing simmer for another 10 minutes or so until you get a nice creamy juice.

Notes

  1. Makes 4-6 Portions.
  2. SERVING: Both boiled potatoes and fluffy bread dumplings are suitable as sides. In the evening, a small glass of beer is a popular accompaniment to an Austrian goulash.
  3. STORAGE: If you have any goulash leftover, let it cool completely and store covered in the fridge, where it will keep for about 3-4 days.
  4. As a rule of thumb: any goulash tastes best the next day, resting overnight in the fridge.
  5. This goulash does not contain any flour or roux. The onions boil away completely and provide the necessary binding.
  6. Count on the fact that it takes about 3 hours for the beef to soften. The goulash needs time to get the desired taste!

DISCLAIMER: Because I come from Central Europe, my recipes are based on metric units such as grams or milliliters. Check out how I convert metric units to the U.S. system:

Conversion chart

Nutrition Disclosure

Do you like the recipe?I would be happy for your feedback! Please, rate the recipe and share your opinion or questions in comments bellow. Thank you very much.

Original Austrian Goulash Recipe - Cook Like Czechs (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Czech and Hungarian goulash? ›

Czech goulash differs from Hungarian goulash, of course. It tends to be milder and beefier, with fewer vegetables than its Hungarian counterpart; it's sometimes made with beer, and it's always served with houskové knedlíky, the ubiquitous Czech bread dumplings, not noodles, potatoes, nor sour cream.

What is the difference between Hungarian and Austrian goulash? ›

Difference Hungarian and Austrian goulash

Whereas Hungarian-style goulash like gulyás or pörkölt is often soupy and contains bell peppers or potatoes, the Viennese-style goulash only contains beef and onions.

What was goulash made of originally? ›

The origins of goulash have been traced to the 9th century, to stews eaten by Magyar shepherds. Before setting out with their flocks, they prepared a portable stock of food by slowly cooking cut-up meats with onions and other flavourings until the liquids had been absorbed.

What is Austrian goulash made of? ›

Austrian goulash is traditionally made with beef. Tomato paste and sweet ground paprika are then added for better color. The typical taste of the dish is completed by goulash seasoning, which consists of dried marjoram, crushed caraway, and grated lemon zest.

What country has the best goulash? ›

Hungary's most famous food, the goulash, is a crimson-hued beef soup laced with vegetables and imparting the sweet-sharp flavor of fresh paprika. The dish is named after the herdsmen in eastern Hungary — the gulyás — who prepared this hearty soup in large cast-iron kettles.

What is the difference between American and European goulash? ›

American goulash is a one-pot dish of ground beef, pasta (often elbow macaroni), tomatoes and cheese. Sometimes it includes paprika, like its Hungarian counterpart. Since American goulash calls for ground beef, it cooks much faster than Hungarian goulash which relies on low-and-slow cooking to render the beef tender.

Where did Austrian goulash come from? ›

Its origin may be traced back as far as the 10th century, to stews eaten by Hungarian shepherds. At that time, the cooked and flavored meat was dried with the help of the sun and packed into bags produced from sheep's stomachs, needing only water to make it into a meal.

What is German goulash made of? ›

This German Goulash is what the Swabians in Germany call “Hungarian Goulash”. Ha! A juicy and tender beef stew made with paprika, peppers, and a red wine sauce. Originally goulash (gulyás) is from Hungary but over the centuries this traditional stew obviously traveled into different cuisines, including German cuisine.

What is goulash called in America? ›

American goulash, sometimes called slumgullion, American Chop Suey, or even Beef-a-Roni, is an American comfort-food dish popular in the Midwest and South. Besides the name, there is no real connection to Hungarian goulash in terms of the flavor or ingredients.

What are the two types of goulash? ›

Hungarian Goulash is a thick meat and vegetable stew with a broth that's heavily seasoned with paprika, while American Goulash is a quick dish made from ground beef, tomato sauce, herbs, and elbow macaroni noodles. It also goes by the name of American Chop Suey.

How do you make goulash meat softer? ›

Preparing goulash meat: Remove tendons (and similar) and cut meat into larger equally sized chunks. Boiling the meat: Boiling meat in stock allows for the meat to soften. It also cuts down on total simmering time in a big way. For extra hard meat boil a little bit longer.

What cut of meat is tafelspitz? ›

Tafelspitz is the Austrian name of the meat cut which is used, usually from a young ox. This cut is typically known in the United States as the standing rump or top round, depending on the nomenclature of cuts used. The British cut is called "topside"; in Australia, it is called the rump cap.

What is a good side dish for goulash? ›

The best side dishes to serve with American Goulash are crispy green beans, country gravy, mashed sweet potatoes, butternut squash, watermelon cucumber salad, caramelized carrots, Tabasco sauce, corn salsa, grilled asparagus, cornbread, roasted Brussels sprouts, cucumber salad, garlic bread, biscuits, and macaroni ...

Did the Hungarians invent goulash? ›

The invention of goulash began with one of the humblest groups in Hungarian society, the cowherds, according to the distinguished Hungarian ethnologist Eszter Kisbán.

What is goulash in Prague? ›

Goulash originated in Hungary, but has become a popular dish in the Czech Republic. Here, it's a dish based on onions cooked for a very long time to be caramelized, with beer and beef with the perfect texture. With a touch of cumin and paprika, this makes for an extremely tasty dish.

What is Czech traditional food? ›

In the Czech cuisine, thick soups and many kinds of sauces, both based on stewed or cooked vegetables and meats, often with cream, as well as baked meats with natural sauces (gravies), are popular dishes usually accompanied with beer, especially Pilsner, that Czechs consume the most in the world.

What is the difference between Hungarian goulash and paprikash? ›

Both paprikash and goulash are paprika-based stews, but goulash is made with beef and vegetables, while paprikash is most typically made with chicken. Recipes vary, but goulash is usually not thickened with flour like paprikash is, and goulash typically isn't enriched with cream or sour cream.

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