34 Best Goulash Recipes – The Ultimate Guide to Every Style of Goulash
If you love warm, comforting, rich, and flavor-packed meals, goulash is the ultimate dish. This traditional stew, believed to have originated in Hungary, has traveled the world and transformed into dozens of exciting variations. From Hungarian paprika-heavy classics to American tomato-based macaronis, creamy slow-cooker styles, veggie-friendly versions, spicy twists, and hearty meat-lover favorites, goulash is beloved globally.
In this comprehensive, human-written, SEO-optimized guide, we dive into the 34 best goulash recipes you can make at home. Whether you’re looking for a traditional family-style meal or a creative culinary twist, this list has something for every cook.
Let’s begin!
What Is Goulash?
Goulash (or gulyás) is a slow-cooked stew traditionally made with beef, onions, paprika, and broth. Early Hungarian shepherds created it as a filling meal cooked over campfires. Over time, countries adapted it with pasta, tomatoes, cream, vegetables, and different meats.
Today, goulash exists in two main global styles:
1. Hungarian Goulash (Gulyás)
- Broth-based
- Heavy on paprika
- Slow-cooked chunks of beef
- Potatoes often added
- No pasta typically
2. American Goulash
- Ground beef
- Tomatoes or tomato sauce
- Elbow macaroni
- Comfort-food style
- One-pot friendly
Below is the most complete collection of 34 best goulash recipes anywhere online — including authentic, modern, spicy, keto, vegan, and fusion varieties.
⭐ The 34 Best Goulash Recipes (With Complete Recipes)
Each recipe includes ingredients + step-by-step cooking instructions.
1. Classic Hungarian Beef Goulash
Ingredients: Beef chuck, onions, garlic, paprika, caraway, tomato paste, potatoes, broth, salt.
Steps: Brown beef → sauté onions + garlic → add paprika → stir in tomato paste → add broth + potatoes → simmer 1.5 hours.
2. Traditional American Goulash
Ingredients: Ground beef, onions, garlic, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, paprika, elbow macaroni.
Steps: Brown beef → add onions/garlic → add sauces → simmer → add macaroni → cook until tender.
3. One-Pot Cheesy Goulash
Ingredients: Ground beef, onions, broth, tomatoes, macaroni, cheddar cheese.
Steps: Make American goulash → stir in cheese at the end.
4. Slow Cooker Hungarian Goulash
Ingredients: Beef cubes, onions, paprika, broth, potatoes, carrots.
Steps: Add all to crockpot → cook 8 hours low.
5. German Goulash
Ingredients: Beef, onions, garlic, paprika, bay leaf, red wine, carrots.
Steps: Brown beef → add vegetables → pour wine → simmer 2 hours.
6. Instant Pot Goulash
Ingredients: Ground beef, onion, garlic, tomatoes, macaroni.
Steps: Sauté beef → add everything → pressure cook 4 minutes.
7. Chicken Goulash
Ingredients: Chicken thighs, paprika, tomatoes, sour cream.
Steps: Brown chicken → add paprika + tomatoes → simmer → stir in sour cream.
8. Pork Goulash
Ingredients: Pork shoulder, onions, paprika, potatoes, broth.
Steps: Brown pork → add spices → add broth + potatoes → simmer 1 hour.
9. Turkey Goulash
Ingredients: Ground turkey, tomatoes, macaroni, Italian spices.
Steps: Cook turkey → add sauces + macaroni → simmer.
10. Hungarian Mushroom Goulash
Ingredients: Mushrooms, onions, garlic, paprika, sour cream, dill.
Steps: Sauté mushrooms → add seasonings → simmer with broth → finish with sour cream.
11. Spicy Goulash
Ingredients: Beef, onions, hot paprika, chili flakes, tomatoes.
Steps: Make classic goulash → add heat spices.
12. Creamy Goulash
Ingredients: Ground beef, cream cheese, macaroni, tomatoes.
Steps: Make American style → add cream cheese at the end.
13. Keto Goulash
Ingredients: Beef, tomatoes, cauliflower chunks, broth.
Steps: Replace pasta with cauliflower → cook until tender.
14. Low-Carb Turkey Goulash
Ingredients: Turkey, zucchini, tomatoes.
Steps: Cook turkey → add vegetables → simmer.
15. Hungarian Venison Goulash
Ingredients: Venison, paprika, juniper berries, potatoes.
Steps: Sear venison → add spices → slow cook 2 hours.
16. Vegan Lentil Goulash
Ingredients: Lentils, paprika, tomatoes, carrots, vegetable broth.
Steps: Sauté veggies → add lentils + broth → simmer.
17. Vegetable Goulash
Ingredients: Potatoes, carrots, mushrooms, tomatoes, paprika.
Steps: Add vegetables to pot → simmer until soft.
18. Beef & Potato Goulash
Ingredients: Beef, potatoes, paprika, tomatoes.
Steps: Brown beef → add potatoes + broth → simmer.
19. Goulash Soup
Ingredients: Beef, veggies, paprika, broth.
Steps: Add everything → simmer until soup consistency.
20. Goulash with Dumplings
Ingredients: Beef goulash base + flour dumplings.
Steps: Make goulash → boil dumplings separately.
21. Creamy Paprika Goulash
Ingredients: Beef, paprika, cream, broth.
Steps: Cook beef → add cream → simmer.
22. Smoked Sausage Goulash
Ingredients: Sausage, tomatoes, macaroni, onions.
Steps: Sauté sausage → add pasta + sauce → simmer.
23. Italian Goulash
Ingredients: Beef, basil, oregano, tomatoes, pasta.
Steps: Make American style → add Italian herbs.
24. Polish Goulash
Ingredients: Pork, mushrooms, onions, paprika, noodles.
Steps: Cook pork → add mushrooms + paprika.
25. Beef & Cabbage Goulash
Ingredients: Ground beef, cabbage, tomatoes.
Steps: Sauté cabbage → add beef + tomatoes.
26. Hungarian Lamb Goulash
Ingredients: Lamb, onions, paprika, potatoes.
Steps: Cook lamb → add potatoes → simmer.
27. Goulash with Red Wine
Ingredients: Beef, red wine, onions, paprika.
Steps: Replace some broth with wine.
28. Rustic Campfire Goulash
Ingredients: Beef chunks, potatoes, carrots, paprika (simple).
Steps: Cook over fire or pot for 2 hrs.
29. Mac & Goulash
Ingredients: American goulash + extra cheese.
Steps: Stir cheese in at end.
30. Baked Goulash Casserole
Ingredients: Cooked goulash + cheese.
Steps: Bake 20 minutes.
31. Tex-Mex Goulash
Ingredients: Beef, chilies, corn, beans, tomatoes.
Steps: Cook beef → add spices + veggies.
32. Sweet Paprika Goulash
Ingredients: Beef, sweet paprika, tomatoes, broth.
Steps: Use only sweet paprika.
33. Goulash with Sour Cream
Ingredients: Beef/pasta + large sour cream scoop.
Steps: Add sour cream before serving.
34. Restaurant-Style Hungarian Goulash
Ingredients: Beef chuck, paprika, tomato paste, smoky spices, potatoes.
Steps: Brown beef → caramelize onions → add spices → simmer 2 hours.
Tips for Perfect Goulash Every Time
✔ Use quality paprika
Hungarian sweet and hot paprika deliver the best flavor.
✔ Slow cook for tenderness
The longer the simmer, the richer the taste.
✔ Add sour cream for creaminess
Best added at the end to avoid curdling.
✔ Brown the meat first
Creates depth and richness.
Final Thoughts
This list of the 34 best goulash recipes gives you every version of this beloved dish — from traditional Hungarian classics to quick weeknight American goulash and creative modern variations. Whether you enjoy bold paprika flavors, creamy pasta dishes, or hearty stews, there’s a perfect goulash recipe here for you.
