As the crisp autumn air begins to replace the warmth of summer, there’s a distinct shift in our culinary cravings. Suddenly, thoughts turn to hearty, comforting meals that warm us from the inside out. And what better way to usher in the cozy season than by dusting off your trusty slow cooker and diving into the world of rich, savory comfort food? This **Crockpot Goulash recipe** is more than just a meal; it’s a nostalgic journey back to simple, satisfying flavors that the whole family will adore. Beyond being a perfect weeknight dinner, the generous portions make for fantastic leftovers and simplify your freezer meal prep, ensuring you have delicious, homemade goodness ready whenever hunger strikes.
Easy & Delicious Crockpot Goulash Recipe: Your Ultimate Comfort Food Guide
There’s something truly magical about a meal that cooks itself while you go about your day. This **slow cooker goulash** embodies that magic, transforming simple ingredients into a deeply flavorful, tender, and robust dish. It’s the kind of hearty stew that evokes images of crackling fires, soft sweaters, and gathering around the table with loved ones. Forget complicated techniques; our recipe focuses on maximizing flavor with minimal effort, making it ideal for busy families or anyone looking for a stress-free yet utterly delicious meal solution.
The Secret to Perfect Goulash: Quality Ingredients
While the slow cooker does most of the heavy lifting, the quality of your ingredients plays a pivotal role in the final taste and texture of your **American goulash**. For instance, selecting the right egg noodles is crucial. I once opted for a generic brand and ended up with a bowl of unappetizing mush – a culinary mishap I wouldn’t wish on anyone! The slight savings were certainly not worth the disappointing outcome. From now on, I prioritize high-quality egg noodles, which hold their shape beautifully and absorb the rich flavors of the goulash without turning pasty.
Beyond the noodles, consider the quality of your beef, the freshness of your vegetables, and the depth of your beef stock. These foundational components contribute significantly to the overall deliciousness of this **hearty beef goulash**. A little attention to ingredient selection can elevate a good meal to an unforgettable one.
Embracing the Season: Slow Cooking for Fall & Beyond
Are you eagerly anticipating the flavors of pumpkin spice and crisp apples, or are you clinging to every last moment of summer sunshine? I find myself somewhere in between! While I relish the warmth of late summer evenings spent outdoors, there’s an undeniable pull towards fall’s culinary delights. Slow cooker recipes like this **comfort food goulash** are the perfect bridge, offering warmth and flavor without demanding endless hours in the kitchen. It’s a taste of autumn’s embrace, allowing you to enjoy those lingering warm nights before the first snowflakes make their unwelcome appearance. So, bring on the cozy sweaters, stylish boots, and comforting hot chai teas – and let your slow cooker take care of dinner!
This easy beef crockpot goulash recipe is a testament to how simple yet incredibly satisfying home cooking can be. By utilizing your slow cooker, you reclaim valuable time and energy, perhaps even affording yourself a few more peaceful moments to soak in the fading summer light. It’s a meal that not only nourishes the body but also brings a sense of comfort and ease to your busy schedule.
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Crockpot Goulash
Crafting an epic **CrockPot American Goulash** starts with a selection of simple yet powerful ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the dish’s signature rich, savory, and slightly sweet flavor profile. Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need; precise measurements and detailed step-by-step instructions are available in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this page.
- Beef: The star of the show! You have options here. While traditional goulash often features beef stew meat or chuck roast cut into cubes, you can also use lean ground beef for a quicker, equally delicious version. Look for good quality beef that will tenderize beautifully in the slow cooker.
- Onion: A foundational aromatic that adds a sweet, savory depth to the sauce as it slowly cooks down.
- Tomato Paste: This concentrated tomato flavor is key to the rich, robust base of the goulash. It provides a deeper, less watery tomato taste than crushed tomatoes or diced tomatoes alone.
- Paprika: The quintessential spice for goulash. Opt for sweet paprika for a classic flavor, or a touch of smoked paprika if you desire a deeper, more smoky undertone. This isn’t just for color; it’s central to the goulash’s character.
- Garlic Clove: Freshly minced garlic adds an indispensable aromatic punch, complementing the beef and tomato flavors perfectly.
- Flour: Used to create a roux with butter, which acts as a thickening agent for the rich sauce, ensuring it clings beautifully to the beef and noodles.
- Butter: Essential for sautéing the flour to make the roux, adding richness and a smooth texture to the sauce.
- Beef Stock: Provides the liquid base for the goulash, infusing every bite with savory beef flavor. A good quality, low-sodium beef broth is recommended to control seasoning.
- Egg Noodles: As mentioned, quality matters here. These wide, flat noodles are the classic pairing for goulash, offering a tender and comforting base.
- Salt and Pepper: Fundamental seasonings to enhance and balance all the flavors in the dish. Adjust to your taste.
Optional garnishes: For an extra layer of flavor and presentation, consider a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese, fresh chopped parsley, or shredded cheddar cheese.
Essential Equipment for Slow Cooker Goulash
One of the beauties of this recipe is its simplicity, requiring only a few basic kitchen tools. The slow cooker, of course, is paramount for achieving that melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and deep flavor with minimal effort.
- Crockpot (Slow Cooker): We highly recommend using a slow cooker with a programmable digital timer. This feature allows you to set the cooking duration, and once complete, it automatically switches to a “warm” setting. This prevents overcooking and provides incredible flexibility, meaning your dinner will be perfectly cooked even if you’re delayed. A 6-quart or larger capacity is ideal for this recipe to ensure all ingredients fit comfortably.
- Frying Pan: Necessary for searing the beef and preparing the roux, adding crucial depth of flavor. A sturdy cast iron or heavy-bottomed pan works best for even browning.
- Kitchen Spoon/Spatula: For stirring ingredients and serving.
How to Make This Effortless Crockpot Goulash
Making this **easy beef goulash** in your slow cooker is incredibly straightforward, allowing you to enjoy a comforting, flavorful meal with minimal hands-on time. The full, detailed instructions are available in the printable recipe card below, but here’s a simplified overview to get you started on your culinary journey.
- Sear the Beef: Begin by seasoning your beef cubes generously with salt and pepper. In a frying pan, sear the beef over high heat until all sides are nicely browned. This crucial step, known as the Maillard reaction, develops deep, savory flavors that form the foundation of your goulash. Don’t overcrowd the pan; sear in batches if necessary to achieve a good crust.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Carefully transfer the seared meat, along with any delicious pan juices, to your slow cooker. These juices add an extra layer of richness to the sauce.
- Add Aromatics & Liquids: Into the slow cooker, add your sliced onions, minced garlic, a generous amount of paprika, concentrated tomato paste, and beef stock. Give everything a good stir to combine.
- Slow Cook: Cover your slow cooker and cook on the low setting for 5-6 hours. This extended cooking time allows the beef to become incredibly tender and all the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a rich, complex sauce.
- Prepare the Roux: About an hour before you plan to serve, melt butter in your frying pan. Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 2 minutes. This brief sautéing period cooks out the raw flour taste, ensuring a smooth, nutty-flavored thickening agent.
- Thicken the Goulash: Add the prepared roux to the slow cooker. Stir it thoroughly into the goulash mixture, ensuring it’s fully incorporated. Cover again and continue cooking for the remaining time (approximately 1 hour), allowing the sauce to thicken to a perfect consistency.
- Serve & Garnish: Once cooked, ladle the hot, rich goulash over a bed of hot, buttered egg noodles. For an optional touch of creaminess and tang, garnish with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh parsley or grated cheese.
Preparation and Storage Tips for Your Goulash
This **slow cooker goulash recipe** is not only easy to make but also incredibly versatile when it comes to meal prep and storage, making it a fantastic choice for busy households.
Make Ahead & Storage: You can significantly reduce day-of cooking time by preparing certain components in advance. The beef can be seared, and the tomato sauce base (excluding the roux) can be assembled up to three days beforehand. Store these separate components in airtight containers in the refrigerator. On serving day, simply combine them in the slow cooker, add the roux, and cook. We also love the practice of prepping common vegetables like onions and garlic a few times a month, storing them in labeled baggies for quick access. Alternatively, jarred minced garlic is a convenient shortcut.
Cooked CrockPot Goulash leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and are best enjoyed within four to five days.
Freezing/How to Freeze: Goulash freezes exceptionally well, making it perfect for future meals. Transfer freezer-bound leftovers into an airtight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags. For best quality, consume within three months. If you prefer to have more control over the sauce’s consistency upon reheating, you can even freeze the tomato sauce separately before combining it with freshly cooked pasta.
How to Reheat: To reheat, simply transfer your desired portion to a microwave-safe dish and heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally. For larger batches, you can gently reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of beef broth or water if the sauce is too thick. Frozen servings should be thawed overnight in the refrigerator for even reheating.
Recipe Variations to Customize Your Goulash
One of the joys of cooking is the ability to adapt recipes to suit your taste, dietary needs, or what you have on hand. This **Crockpot Goulash** is wonderfully forgiving and lends itself to numerous delicious variations.
Substitutions for Beef: While beef is traditional, this recipe is adaptable. Any beef-like meat cut into chunks will work beautifully. Consider using lamb or venison stew meat for a unique twist, if available. The slow cooker’s magic ensures that even tougher cuts become incredibly tender, falling apart with ease.
Noodle Alternatives: While egg noodles are classic, you can certainly use other pasta shapes. Elbow macaroni noodles are a popular choice for a more “American Chop Suey” style goulash. Rice or even mashed potatoes can also serve as an excellent base for soaking up the rich sauce.
Vegetarian + Vegan Option: To transform this into a vegetarian or vegan-friendly dish, replace the beef with plant-based protein substitutes such as firm tofu (pressed and cubed), hearty mushrooms (like cremini or portobello), or plant-based ground “meat.” Use vegetable stock instead of beef stock and swap butter for a vegan butter alternative or olive oil.
Gluten-Free: Making this **Slow Cooker Goulash** gluten-free is simple. Ensure you use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the roux and pair it with your favorite brand of gluten-free egg noodles or pasta.
Smaller Serving Size + Larger Group/More Servings: The original recipe yields eight servings, making it perfect for a family meal. You can easily scale the ingredients up or down to suit your needs. When scaling up for a larger crowd, be mindful that you may need to cook in batches, especially when searing the beef, to avoid overcrowding the pan and ensure proper browning.
Make it Spicy: For those who enjoy a kick, chili powder or cayenne pepper are excellent additions. Stir them in with the paprika for a spicier **CrockPot Goulash**. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes during the last hour of cooking or offer hot sauce at the table.
Sugar-Free: This recipe contains approximately 4 grams of sugar per serving. To make it entirely sugar-free, opt for tomato paste and beef broth that specify “no added sugar.”
Expert Tips for the Best CrockPot Goulash
Achieving the perfect **slow cooker goulash** is simple with a few helpful pointers. These tips will ensure your dish is flavorful, well-textured, and utterly satisfying every time.
- Mastering the Roux: As with all roux-based sauces, you have control over the final consistency. If the sauce is too thin, you can add a little more flour mixed with softened butter (a “beurre manié”) and cook for another 30 minutes. If it’s too thick, simply add a splash more beef stock or water until it reaches your desired consistency. Always cook the flour and butter for a couple of minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
- Don’t Skip the Sear: While it’s tempting to just toss everything into the slow cooker, searing the beef beforehand is a game-changer. It creates a rich, caramelized crust that adds immense depth of flavor, which cannot be achieved by slow cooking alone.
- Seasoning in Layers: Season your beef before searing, and then taste and adjust the seasoning of the goulash sauce before adding the roux. This layering of salt and pepper ensures a well-balanced flavor throughout.
- Quality Broth Matters: A good quality beef broth or stock makes a significant difference. It forms the base of your sauce, so choose one with rich, natural beef flavor.
- Al Dente Noodles: Cook your egg noodles separately and add them just before serving. This prevents them from becoming overcooked and mushy in the goulash sauce, ensuring they retain their perfect texture.
Remember, the printable recipe card with complete instructions and nutritional information is available below. Nutritional details, including calories, protein, calcium, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin C, potassium, cholesterol, sodium, and various fats, will naturally vary based on the specific brands and products you choose.
What to Serve with Your Comforting CrockPot Goulash
Our homemade take on Hungarian goulash is a beloved classic, particularly among those who appreciate a hearty, comforting meal. It pairs beautifully with a variety of sides, creating a satisfying, stick-to-your-ribs dinner that the entire family will undoubtedly enjoy. Here are some menu planning suggestions:
Sides to Complement Goulash:
- Kale & Apple Potato Salad: A refreshing counterpoint to the rich goulash.
- CrockPot Parmesan Potatoes: Cheesy and tender, these potatoes offer another layer of comfort.
- CrockPot Creamed Corn: Sweet and creamy, a classic comfort side.
- Cheddar Bay Sausage Balls: Savory, cheesy bites perfect for dipping.
- CrockPot Garlic Mashed Potatoes: A smooth, garlicky alternative to noodles.
- Slow Cooker Candied Sweet Potatoes: A touch of sweetness that pairs well with savory beef.
- Easy Broccoli Slaw: A light, crunchy salad for balance.
- Cheesy Ranch Potatoes: Flavorful and indulgent potato dish.
- Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole: A timeless, creamy vegetable side.
Main Dishes (for other meal ideas):
- Bacon Pot Pie
- CrockPot Cheese Grits
- Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese
- Loaded CrockPot Mashed Potatoes
- Camp Stew
- John Wayne Casserole
- Sausage Biscuit & Gravy Casserole
- CrockPot Bourbon Maple Pork Loin
- CrockPot Guinness Corned Beef & Cabbage
Delicious Desserts to Follow:
- 2 Ingredient Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie Cups
- Ooey-Gooey Butter Cake
- Caramel Apple Dump Cake
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies
- Crock Pot Peach Crumble
Refreshing Drinks:
- CopyCat Chick-fil-A Lemonade
- CopyCat McDonald’s Sweet Tea
- CopyCat Sonic Cherry Limeade
When to Serve Crockpot Goulash
This versatile **Crockpot Goulash** is perfect for a variety of occasions:
- Weeknight Dinners: Its ease of preparation makes it ideal for busy evenings.
- Potlucks: A hearty, crowd-pleasing dish that travels well.
- Family Gatherings: Comfort food that everyone loves, perfect for sharing.
More Great Dinner Recipes to Explore
If you’re looking for more inspiration for delicious, easy dinners, be sure to check out these fantastic recipes:
- Crab Rolls
- Apple Cider Beer Brats
- Baked Ziti (No Meat)
- Easy Lo Mein
- Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers
Do you love discovering new recipes? Be sure to explore our extensive collections of copycat recipes, delectable dessert recipes, and our ever-popular CrockPot Recipes. There’s something for every craving and occasion!
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Crock Pot Beef Goulash Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 lb. Beef cut into cubes
- 1 Onion sliced
- 1 can Tomato Paste small cans
- 1 Tablespoon Paprika
- 1 Garlic clove
- 2 Tablespoon All Purpose Flour
- 2 Tablespoon Butter
- 2 Cups Beef Broth
- 1 package Egg Noodles
- dash Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season beef and sear over high heat in a frying pan to brown all sides.
- Transfer meat (and any juices) to the slow cooker.
- Add sliced onions, garlic, paprika, tomato paste and beef stock.
- Cook on low for 5 – 6 hours.
- About one hour before serving, mix the flour and butter in a frying pan and saute the mixture for 2 minutes, just to cook out the raw taste of the flour.
- Add to the slow cooker, give it a stir, cover and continue cooking for the remaining time.
- Serve on top of hot buttered egg noodles.
- Can garnish with a dollop of sour cream if you desire.
Kitchen Tools
- Slow cooker
Nutrition
Calories from Fat 144
Recipe originally shared on August 7, 2016. Updated January 2021, October 2023