Beef Goulash in a Slow Cooker

  Posted on October 4, 2012  by Leslie Blythe  No comments

Goulash is a soup or stew of meat, noodles and vegetables , seasoned with paprika and other spices originating in Hungary. It is one of Hungary’s national dishes and a symbol of the country. 

Beef Goulash in a Slow Cooker

Serves 8

2 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
4 lbs boneless beef short ribs, cut into 2-inch pieces
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
4 carrots, cut into 2-inch lengths
¼ cup sweet paprika
1 Tbs ground caraway
1 tsp ground coriander
3 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
4 thyme sprigs
2 bay leaves
Sour cream and buttered noodles, for serving

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. Season the short ribs with salt and pepper. Brown half of the short ribs in the skillet over moderately high heat, about 12 minutes. Transfer them to a slow cooker with a slotted spoon. Repeat with the remaining short ribs.

Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the fat in the skillet. Add the onion, garlic and carrots and cook over low heat, stirring, until the onion is barely softened, about 5 minutes. Add the paprika, caraway and coriander and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Scrape the mixture into the slow cooker. Add the stock, thyme and bay leaves, cover and bring to a boil on high. Cook for 4 hours, until the meat is very tender. Discard the bay leaves and thyme and spoon off as much fat from the sauce as possible. Serve the goulash in deep bowls with a dollop of sour cream and buttered noodles.

Make Ahead –  The goulash can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.