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Hungarian Goulash is a hearty and flavorful dish filled with tender beef, paprika, and colorful vegetables. This single serving version is perfectly portioned, so you can enjoy a warm, satisfying meal without the concern of too many leftovers. Made with simple ingredients, this dish comes together easily for a satisfying meal.
Hungarian Goulash is similar to beef stew, with tender beef and hearty vegetables cooked in a flavorful base. If you’re looking for more single serving or small batch beef recipes, try our Pot Roast, classic Beef Stew, or Beef Stroganoff, served with a tangy sour cream sauce. Each recipe is perfectly portioned and packed with delicious flavors.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfectly Portioned: Our version of Hungarian Goulash is designed for one serving, so there’s no need to worry about extra food going to waste.
- Easy to Prepare: Simple steps make this recipe easy to follow.
- Rich, Bold Flavors: Sweet paprika, onions, and garlic create a deep, savory base.
- Nutritious Vegetables: Packed with carrots, potatoes, and bell peppers for a well-rounded meal.
- One-Pot Cooking: Everything cooks in one pot, making cleanup quick and easy.
This small batch Hungarian Goulash recipe features a rich, brothy base, a generous amount of Hungarian sweet paprika, and a colorful mix of fresh vegetables, creating a flavorful and satisfying meal. Our version is perfect for those cooking for one, offering just the right portion without waste. If needed, the recipe can easily be doubled to serve two.
Unlike American goulash—which includes ground beef, pasta, and a tomato-based sauce, this dish stays true to its Hungarian roots with its vibrant broth and mostly traditional ingredients. It’s a respectful adaptation, scaled and slightly modified to make it accessible for smaller households while maintaining the essence of the original.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this single serving Hungarian Goulash recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Beef Chuck Roast: This recipe uses 4 ounces of beef chuck roast, cut into cubes. This amount is perfect for this dish and if you have leftover beef, use it in recipes like Slow Cooker Pot Roast or Ropa Vieja.
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: These ingredients season the dish. I use Diamond Crystal brand of kosher salt for its ability to dissolve quickly and its lighter texture which allows for more precise seasoning.
- Butter: Used for browning the beef and adding richness to the dish.
- Onions and Garlic: These create the aromatic base of the goulash, bringing depth and flavor to the broth.
- Paprika: This recipe calls for a generous amount of paprika to achieve authentic flavor. Use Hungarian sweet paprika if possible. Regular paprika, which is naturally sweet, works as a good alternative if Hungarian paprika is unavailable. Avoid using hot paprika.
- Crushed Caraway Seeds (optional): I occasionally use a scant 1/4 teaspoon to add a subtle, earthy flavor, but they’re not always in my pantry. If you don’t have them, simply leave them out or substitute with fennel seeds or a small pinch of oregano.
- Vegetables: Use red and yellow bell peppers along with a carrot to add vibrant color and natural sweetness to the dish. If you have leftover bell peppers, try using them in recipes like Greek Chicken or Vegetable Lasagna. Extra carrots are perfect for Lentil Soup, Fried Rice, or Morning Glory Muffins.
- Roma Tomato: A roma is the perfect size for this recipe, but you can use a small tomato of a different variety if needed.
- Potato: Use one small russet potato or a few baby red potatoes, about 3 ounces total. Extra potatoes can be used in Chicken Stew or Cottage Pie.
- Beef Broth: Forms the flavorful base of the goulash. Leftover broth can be used in Bangers and Mash or Salisbury Steak.
Recipe Variations
There are many ways to adjust this single serving Hungarian Goulash to suit your preferences or make use of what you have on hand. Here are a few ideas:
- Vegetarian Goulash: Replace the beef with hearty vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or eggplant, and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
- Extra Vegetables: Add more vegetables such as parsnips, celery, or green beans for added flavor and texture.
- Add Extra Herbs: Stir in fresh herbs like thyme or marjoram, finely chopped, for an extra layer of flavor.
How To Make Hungarian Goulash
These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this single serve Hungarian Goulash recipe. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Season the Beef: Toss the beef with 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt and 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper. Set aside.
- Cook the Onions: Melt the butter in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Brown the Beef: Add the beef to the pan and cook, stirring frequently, for about 3 minutes until it begins to brown.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in the bell peppers, tomatoes, and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add Seasonings: Remove the pot from heat. Stir in the paprika, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, remaining 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and caraway seeds (if using).
- Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the beef broth and return the pot to the stove. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring once or twice during cooking.
- Add Carrots and Potatoes: Stir in the carrots and potatoes. Bring the mixture back to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for another 25 minutes, or until the beef is tender.
- Taste and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed. Pour into a bowl and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Choose The Right Paprika: Hungarian paprika is essential for authentic flavor. Regular paprika, which is naturally sweet, works as a great alternative if Hungarian paprika is unavailable. Avoid using hot or smoked paprika alone, as they can alter the flavor. If needed, mix equal parts regular and smoked paprika as a substitute.
- Cut The Beef Evenly: Ensure the beef is cubed into even pieces so it cooks uniformly and becomes tender.
- Use The Right Size Pan: A 2-quart saucepan is ideal for this single serving recipe, providing enough space for the ingredients to cook evenly without overcrowding.
Serving Suggestions
Pair this flavorful goulash with one of these simple sides to complete your meal:
- French Bread: Perfect for soaking up the rich sauce.
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy and comforting, a great complement to the tender beef and vegetables.
- Buttered Noodles: A classic, hearty side that works beautifully with the goulash.
- White Rice: A neutral base that lets the bold flavors of the dish shine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hungarian goulash has more of a brothy base and is more like a beef stew. It is packed with fresh vegetables and sweet paprika, while American goulash typically includes ground beef, pasta, and a tomato-based sauce.
Paprika is essential for the authentic flavor of Hungarian goulash, so it’s not recommended to skip it.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Yes, you can easily double this recipe to serve two. Simply double all the ingredients and follow the same cooking instructions and use a larger saucepan.
Yes, Hungarian goulash freezes well. Allow the goulash to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm on the stovetop over low heat until heated through. Add a splash of broth if the goulash seems too thick.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this single serve Hungarian Goulash recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
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Hungarian Goulash For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 ounces beef chuck roast -cut into 1-inch cubes
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt -divided
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper -divided
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ cup chopped onions
- ½ cup chopped red bell pepper (about ½ medium red bell pepper)
- ½ cup chopped yellow bell pepper (about ½ medium yellow bell pepper)
- 1 small roma tomato -chopped
- 2 cloves garlic -minced
- 1 tablespoon Hungarian sweet paprika
- ¼ teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 small carrot -peeled and chopped
- 1 small russet potato -peeled and chopped (3 oz)
Instructions
- Season the Beef: Toss the beef with ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt and ⅛ teaspoon of black pepper. Set aside.
- Cook the Onions: Melt the butter in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Brown the Beef: Add the beef to the pan and cook, stirring frequently, for about 3 minutes until it begins to brown.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in the bell peppers, tomatoes, and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add Seasonings: Remove the pot from heat. Stir in the paprika, the remaining ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt, the remaining ⅛ teaspoon pepper, and caraway seeds (if using).
- Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the beef broth and return the pot to the stove. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring once or twice during cooking.
- Add Carrot and Potato: Stir in the chopped carrot and the chopped potatoes. Bring the mixture back to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for another 25 minutes, or until the beef is tender.
- Taste and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed. Pour into a bowl and enjoy!
Notes
- Choose The Right Paprika: Hungarian paprika is essential for authentic flavor. Regular paprika, which is naturally sweet, works as a good alternative if Hungarian paprika is unavailable. Avoid using hot or smoked paprika alone, as they can alter the flavor. If needed, mix equal parts regular and smoked paprika as a substitute.
- Cut The Beef Evenly: Ensure the beef is cubed into even pieces so it cooks uniformly and becomes tender.
- Use The Right Size Pan: A 2-quart saucepan is ideal for this single serving recipe, providing enough space for the ingredients to cook evenly without overcrowding.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
