Authentic Hungarian Goulash with Smoked Paprika

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-06 · Updated 2026-04-06

A deeply flavored beef stew made with slow-simmered chuck roast and genuine Hungarian smoked paprika, honoring the dish's roots in Central Europe. This Hungarian-inspired slow-cooker recipe, ready in about 160 minutes, pairs beef chuck roast, smoked paprika, carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck roast
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 medium, sliced 1/4 inch thick carrots
• 2 medium, cut into 1/2-inch cubes potatoes
• 1 large, chopped onion
• 2 stalks, chopped celery
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 bay leaf
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

The slow cooker we’d leave this in all day → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat 1.5 lb beef chuck cubes dry and season with 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat a large pot over medium-high heat and add a thin layer of oil. Brown beef in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply seared, then remove and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same pot, cook 1 chopped large onion and 2 chopped celery stalks for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in 2 tsp smoked paprika and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then add 1 tbsp tomato paste and stir for 1 minute more.
3. Step 3: Return beef to the pot, add 2 cups beef broth, 2 sliced medium carrots, and 2 chopped medium potatoes. Add 2 bay leaves and bring to a gentle simmer.
4. Step 4: Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until beef is fork-tender and potatoes are cooked through.
5. Step 5: Remove bay leaves. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes to thicken sauce until it coats the back of a spoon. Discard any excess fat before serving.