Best Slow Cooker Beef Goulash Recipe

Sharing is caring!

Beef goulash is originally an Hungarian beef and vegetable stew slow-cooked by herdsmen aka Hungarian shepherds. The word goulash is derived from the Hungarian word guliyas, which means herdsmen. Over the year the dish has come to be known as goulash meat.

Slow cooking was very common back in the olden days when workers who worked hours outside the house, either in the fields or with their cattle, had not to time to come back and cook. Before they left home they'd put food on a safe fire to slow cook for hours, so when they got back they would have something to eat.

Personally, I love slow-cooked meats over anything roasted or fried. Meat falling off the bones, soaking up all those exotic spices and juices. How can you not like such melt in the mouth meat?

While the original dish is a stew with meat and veggies, today I have skipped the veggies and made a thick beef goulash with only melt in the mouth meat.  This is how I like my goulash.. thick sauce with loaded with meat flavors. Don't get me wrong you can also add veggies.

About this slow-cooked Hungarian beef goulash

You don't have to be a fan of Hungarian food to appreciate this slow-cooked beef goulash. I have made it in a slow cooker today but have been making it for years on the stovetop in a Dutch oven.

The recipe is simple and easy with most ingredients we usually have in the pantry. The prep time is very minimum while the cooking time can take hours. The best thing about cooking for hours in a slow-cooker is that you get fork-tender meat that just melts in your mouth. But most importantly, you can leave it unattended which is perfect busy days.

The beef is very delicately spiced with some garlic, cloves, caraway, rosemary, thyme and balsamic. However, when combined together these spices make a wonderful dish packed with flavor.

Ingredients and substitutes (Save/Pin)

• Beef - I like to use lamb shoulder meat. That works great for slow cooking. But, if you ask the butcher he will give you good meat that does really well for slow cooking and it is not necessarily expensive.
• Flour - This helps not just sear the meat but also as a sauce thicker. BUT, if you want to keep it gluten-free, just substitute the flour with cornstarch. It will help sear the meat as well as thicken the sauce.
• Spices - Today I am using cloves, caraway seeds, and rosemary as my main flavors. And yet, if you prefer, you can omit any of these. I love the depth of flavor the beef gets from the cloves and caraway seeds.
• Balsamic Vinegar - This isn't just any vinegar! It gives a very special flavor and color to the beef goulash that matures even more with slow cooking. While I think you should stick to balsamic vinegar, if you must substitute, I'd rather you use apple cider vinegar instead of lemon.
• Stock - Beef is full of flavor, so adding stock only adds more depth of flavor. You can use any stock chicken, beef or vegetables. If you want you can even add water instead of stock.

Useful tips and tools

• In the interest of good hygiene, it is a good practice to always use separate chopping boards, one for the veggies and a separate one for the meat.
• A chef's knife does a great job of cutting meats, while a utility knife works best for the veggies.
• And, a heavy-bottom saute-pan or cast-iron skillet to sauté if using any veggies.
• Slow cooker or Crock-Pots are readily available these days and also quite affordable. They make meal planning so much easier, avoiding that last-minute stress of "what's for dinner?" If possible, choose one that has the option to sauté, so you can do everything in one pot including browning the meat. My only regret is that I can't brown the meats or saute the onions in the same pot. By the way, the Instant Pot also has a slow cooker option. And I'm pretty excited that I will be able to use it for slow cooking. 
• And, if you don't have a slow cooker, a good quality Dutch oven does a great job of slow cooking on the stovetop.
• If you plan to cook it on the stovetop, but don't have a Dutch oven, use a heavy-bottom skillet that will endure the long slow cooking. You can also use a heat tamer or heat diffuser that you can place under the pan to distribute the heat evenly.
• Also, I like to use my wooden spatula to cook, so I do not damage the surface of my pans.
• And, if you following a recipe it's best to use measuring cups and spoons for accuracy.
• Read - 10 essential pots and pan to help you cook better.

How to make the BEST slow-cooked beef goulash (Save/Pin)

Prepare

• Cut beef into large bit size pieces.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Then, add flour and toss well to coat.
• Chop onions fairly small.
• Mince garlic fine.
• If using whole spices, crush them with a mortar and pestle - set aside.

Pan sauté

• Heat 2 tbsp oil to a sauté pan.
• Sear the floured beef pieces on all sides. Lay them in a single layer, turning only when needed letting them get a bit of color.
• Remove seared beef from the pan - keep warm.
• In the same sauté pan, add the remaining oil and sauté onions and garlic.
• Cook for 2 minutes - remove and set aside.
• Deglaze the pan with the water removing any caramelized onions and beef residue.
• Add, sugar, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and balsamic vinegar - cook for another minute.
• Remove from heat.

Set slow cooker

• Into the slow cooker, add the meat.
• Followed by onion and garlic mixture.
• Ground spices.
• De-glazed pan mixture.
• Stock.
• And, bay leaves.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Use a spatula to ensure the meat is well tucked into the liquid.
• Set the slow cooker on low for 8 hours, OR
• Set the slow cooker on high for 4 hours.
• I prefer to set it on high for 2 hours then on low for 4 hours.
• Beef goulash is traditionally served with noodles, but I love to have it with mashed potatoes or even steamed rice.
• Enjoy!

Don't have a slow cooker?

Of course, you can make this Beef Goulash even if you don't have a slow cooker!! I did it for years before I got mine. All you do is use a heavy bottom casserole pan or Dutch oven instead of a saute pan and follow the same process

• Season the beef pieces with salt, pepper, and flour
• In a heavy bottom pan (or dutch oven) sear the meat on all sides with the oil on high heat. Remove and set aside.
• In the same pan saute the onions and garlic.
• Add all the rest of the ingredients followed by the beef.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Let the whole thing come to a boil.
• Then lower the heat to a slow simmer.
• Continue to simmer covered on low for 2 hours until the meat is fork-tender.
• Enjoy!

The BEST Slow Cooker Beef Goulash Recipe

Author: Veena Azmanov

5 from 24 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 6 hrs

Total Time: 6 hrs 10 mins

Calories: 180kcal

Adjust Servings Here: 8 servings

Description

This slow cooked beef goulash is a simple, easy and effortless recipe that produces fork tender, melt in the mouth meat that's richly flavored with garlic, cloves and caraway before slow cooking for hours. Traditionally served with noodles but goes equally well with mashed potatoes or steamed rice. 

 

ADJUST SERVINGS HERE - 8 servings

Ingredients

• 1 kg (2.0 lb) Beef
• 2 tbsp Flour
• 3 tbsp Cooking oil
• 1/2 cup Onion chopped
• 3 cloves Garlic sliced
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 3 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp Tomato paste
• 1 cup (8.00 floz) Stock
• 1 cup (8.00 floz) Water
• 2 Bay leaves

Spices

• 1/8 tsp Cloves powder or two cloves
• 1/2 tsp Pepper powder or 10 corns
• 1/2 tsp Caraway seeds
• 1/2 tsp Dried rosemary
• 1/4 tsp Dried thyme

Instructions

Prepare

• Cut beef into large bit size pieces.
• Season with salt and pepper
• Then add flour and toss well to coat.
• Chop onions fairly small
• Mince garlic fine
• If using whole spices crush them with a mortar and pestle  - set aside.

Pan Saute'

• Heat 2 tbsp oil to a saute pan
• Sear the floured beef pieces on all sides. - Lay them in a single layer, turning only when needed letting them get a bit of color.
• Remove seared beef from the pan - keep warm.
• In the same saute pan add the remaining oil and saute onions and garlic.
• Cook for 2 minutes - remove and set aside
• Deglaze the pan with the water removing any caramelized onions and beef residue
• Add, sugar, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce and balsamic vinegar - cook another minute
• Remove from heat.

Set slow cooker

• Into the slow cooker - Add meat
• Followed by onion and garlic mixture.
• Ground spices
• Deglazed pan mixture
• Stock
• Bay leaves
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Use a spatula to ensure the meat is well tucked into the liquid
• Set the slow cooker on low for 8 hours OR
• Set the slow cooker on high for 4 hours.
• I prefer to set it on high for 2 hours then on low for 4 hours.
• Beef goulash is traditionally served with Noodles but I love to have it with mashed potatoes or even steamed rice..
• Enjoy!

Equipment

Saute Pan 5Q

Slow cooker

Meas Cups and Spoons

Nutrition Information

Serving: 161gCalories: 180kcalCarbohydrates: 3.9gProtein: 20.2gFat: 9.42gSaturated Fat: 2.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 149mgPotassium: 0mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 1.4gVitamin A: 0IUVitamin C: 0mgCalcium: 0mgIron: 0mg

The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you

Did you make this recipe? I'd love to hear about itMention @veenaazmanov or #tag on Instagram #veenaazmanov

10 Tips when using the slow cooker or crockpot

1. Plan your slow cooker recipe ahead of time so you choose the right meat as well as time for cooking.
2. Use the right size slow-cooker for the quantity of meat on hand.
3. Never overfill the slow cooker - leave enough space for the meat to release its juices without overspilling.
4. Low slow-cooking overnight works great for red meat and tough meat cuts - while short slow--cooking works best of chicken and fish.
5. Use cheap cuts for the slow-cooker and save expensive meats for stovetop or delicate cooking.
6. When choosing meat for the slow-cooker or crockpot, use cuts like beef brisket, lamb shoulder, pork shoulder, leg of lamb, chicken thighs.
7. You don't need much fat when slow cooking so trim off as much fat as you can before slow cooking.
8. Use less liquid in the slow-cooker or crockpot because the liquid in the slow-cooker does not evaporate.
9. Use starch or slurry towards the end of slow-cooking so it won't settle at the bottom of the crockpot. This can also ruin the cooker.
10. Leave the slow cooker alone - no peeking. Avoid opening the slow-cooker or crockpot during the cooking time because it will release heat and you will need to increase cooking time.

Frequently asked questions

What do you serve with this slow cooker beef goulash recipe?

Traditionally, beef goulash is served with cooked pasta such as pappardelle, tagliatelle or penne.

Today, I have served it with my kids' favorite mashed potato. When I'm on a low carb mood I usually serve it with cauliflower rice. This recipe is versatile and goes well with couscous as well as creamy polenta.

You can, of course, serve veggies on the side such as garlic sesame asparagus, parmesan asparagus, sesame green beans, cheesy baked eggplant slices, lemon rosemary potatoes, roasted dill potatoes,

SAVE THIS RECIPE ON PINTEREST FOR LATER. TRIED MY RECIPE? SHARE IT WITH ME, PLEASE.
Share a picture of your work with me by uploading an image here below my image on this board. You can also find a collection of my tutorials and recipes here on Pinterest.

More slow-cooked recipes

• Slow-cooker beer-braised beef
• Best Slow-cooked beef goulash
• Slow-cooked Indian lamb masala aka mutton masala
• Slow-cooked lamb with creamy polenta
• Easy slow-cooked apricot cranberry chicken
• Slow-cooker beef in red wine sauce
• Best slow-cooker Indian chicken curry recipe
• Easy slow-cooked beef curry recipe
• Yellow lentil soup - slow cooker
• Best ever slow-cooker Mongolian beef
• Easy Slow-cooker potato soup
• Slow-cooker black bean soup
• Moroccan slow-cooked beef with dates and hot paprika
• Slow-cooked roast lamb shoulder in red wine sauce
• Easy slow-cooked apricot beef

Slow Cooker Lamb

Slow cooking lamb in a slow cooker or crock pot is the best thing you can do to red meat especially if you can just add everything to the pot and cook. This slow cooker lamb will give tender, juicy, fork-tender meat in just 4 hours with a rich creamy sauce that works a treat over steamed rice or crusty bread.

10 Essential Kitchen Pots and Pans

Have you ever wondered why your pans are so different? Shot, tall, wide, deep. Or When should you cook in cast-iron, stainless steel or non-stick? Today, I share my pick for 10 essential pots and pans every kitchen needs that will help you become a better cook.

• 15 must-have tools for a home baker
• 10 best gifts for a bread baker
• 10 Essential Pots and Pans to help you cook better
• My Favorite Cake Decorating Books
• 15 Healthy Eating Habits for the family
• 10 Amazing Gifts for a Cake Decorator
• What's in My Camera Bag?
• What is my Cake Room - Tools and Equipment
• Best Stand Mixer for Home Bakers
• What's in my Kitchen - Tools, Appliances, and Gadgets

Sharing is caring!

Related posts:

Slow Cooker Beer Braised Beef Stew - Video Recipe Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef Slow Cooker Beef in Red Wine Stew Slow-Cooked Apricot Beef recipe