Description
Beef Paprikash is a classic Hungarian comfort food known for its rich, creamy sauce infused with sweet paprika and tender chunks of beef. This hearty stew is slow-simmered to perfection, creating a luscious, flavorful dish that pairs wonderfully with egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1½ lbs (700 g) beef stew meat, cut into cubes
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil or butter
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp sweet Hungarian paprika
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup beef broth
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp flour (to thicken, optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Optional for Serving
- Egg noodles
- Mashed potatoes
- Rice
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil or butter over medium-high heat. Add beef cubes and brown them evenly on all sides to seal in the juices. Once browned, remove the beef and set it aside.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: In the same pot, add a bit more oil if necessary. Sauté the finely chopped onions until they become soft and golden. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release their aroma.
- Add Paprika: Stir in the sweet Hungarian paprika and the optional smoked paprika quickly, mixing well to coat the onions. Be careful not to burn the paprika as it can become bitter if overheated.
- Simmer the Beef: Return the browned beef cubes back to the pot. Pour in the beef broth, season with salt and pepper, and stir everything well. Cover the pot and let it simmer on low heat for 1½ to 2 hours or until the beef becomes very tender.
- Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine sour cream and flour until smooth to create a thickening mixture. Stir this into the beef stew, then cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and become creamy.
- Serve: Serve the creamy beef paprikash over buttered egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice. Garnish generously with freshly chopped parsley for added freshness and color.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use beef broth made from homemade stock.
- Adjust the paprika quantity based on your preferred spice level, but avoid burning it during cooking.
- Using flour is optional; sour cream alone thickens the sauce slightly but flour adds more body.
- This dish tastes even better the next day as flavors meld overnight.
- Serve with crusty bread for soaking up extra sauce.
