Hearty Beef Goulash with Paprika and Carrots
Slow-simmered tender beef chunks in a rich paprika-spiced sauce with sweet carrots and onions. This austrian-inspired beef ready in about 155 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck, vegetable oil, medium diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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
- 2 lbs cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 medium diced yellow onion
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp sweet paprika powder
- 1 tsp caraway seeds
- 3 cups beef broth
- 3 large peeled and sliced carrots
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried marjoram
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cold water
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Season 2 lbs beef chuck cubes with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then brown in batches for 5 minutes per batch until deeply seared. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and add 2 diced yellow onions to the pot; sauté for 6-7 minutes until translucent. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp sweet paprika powder and 1 tsp caraway seeds, cooking for 30 seconds to release aromas. Add 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Step 4: Return the beef to the pot along with 3 sliced carrots, 3 cups beef broth, 1 tsp dried marjoram, remaining 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2 hours until beef is tender.
- Step 5: In a small bowl, whisk 2 tbsp all-purpose flour into 1/2 cup cold water until smooth. Stir this slurry into the goulash and simmer uncovered for 10 more minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 6: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then serve hot with crusty bread or buttered noodles.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hearty Beef Goulash with Paprika and Carrots take to make?
Total time is about 155 minutes (25 min prep + 130 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Hearty Beef Goulash with Paprika and Carrots?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep vegetable oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Hearty Beef Goulash with Paprika and Carrots?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Hearty Beef Goulash with Paprika and Carrots for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Hearty Beef Goulash with Paprika and Carrots?
Austrian beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
