Quick & Hearty Beef Goulash Recipe Everyone Will Love

Hearty beef goulash brings warmth to chilly evenings with its rich, comforting flavors.

Memories of Hungarian kitchens dance through this classic stew, inviting you to savor each spoonful.

Tender meat slowly simmers in a deeply seasoned sauce, creating magic on your plate.

Paprika weaves its vibrant red magic into every bite, promising a meal that feels like a culinary hug.

Rustic and soul-satisfying, this recipe connects you to generations of home cooks who perfected this beloved dish.

Simple ingredients transform into something extraordinary when prepared with love and patience.

You’ll want to ladle this goulash over fluffy rice or crusty bread and experience pure comfort.

Instant Pot Beef Goulash Ready in Minutes With Full Flavor

• Quick and Effortless Cooking: Transform complex beef goulash into a simple, hassle-free meal using the Instant Pot's time-saving functionality.
• Versatile Family Comfort Food: Packed with tender beef, hearty pasta, and rich spices, this one-pot wonder satisfies everyone from kids to adults with its familiar, comforting flavors.
• Meal Prep Champion: Prepare a delicious dinner in under 40 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when time is limited and hunger is high.
• Nutrition Powerhouse: Combines protein-rich beef with tomatoes and robust seasonings, delivering a balanced meal that offers both taste and nutritional value in every satisfying bite.

Inside the Instant Pot Beef Goulash Pantry

• Beef Stew Meat: Rich, tender meat that becomes soft and flavorful when slow-cooked, perfect for a hearty goulash. Choose well-marbled cuts with good fat content for maximum tenderness.

• Onions, Garlic: Foundational ingredients that provide deep, sweet, and pungent base notes to the dish. Fresh, firm onions and aromatic garlic cloves work best.
• Paprika: Classic Hungarian spice that gives traditional goulash its signature warm, slightly sweet flavor. Use high-quality Hungarian or sweet paprika for authentic taste.

• Crushed Tomatoes, Tomato Paste: Create rich, tangy sauce base that adds depth and acidity. Look for San Marzano or high-quality canned tomatoes.
• Beef Broth: Provides additional liquid and enhances meaty flavor. Low-sodium versions allow better seasoning control.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds complex umami and slightly tangy undertones to the dish. Provides additional depth of flavor.

• Elbow Macaroni: Classic pasta shape that absorbs sauce beautifully and provides hearty texture. Choose standard or whole wheat varieties.
• Italian Seasoning: Blend of dried herbs that adds herbal complexity to the goulash.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing overall flavor profile.

• Cooking Oil: Helps with initial meat browning and prevents sticking. Neutral oils like vegetable or canola work well.

Beef Goulash Instant Pot Instructions

Step 1: Brown the Beef

Heat the Instant Pot using the sauté function.

Toss beef chunks into the pot, allowing each piece to develop a deep golden crust.

Work in batches to ensure proper caramelization.

Once beautifully browned, transfer beef to a temporary plate.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

In the same pot, tumble chopped onions and transform them into soft, translucent gems.

Sprinkle minced garlic and stir briefly until its fragrance fills the kitchen.

Step 3: Build the Flavor Base

Return browned beef to the pot.

• Crushed tomatoes
• Tomato paste
• Beef broth
• Worcestershire sauce

• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Italian herbs

Stir everything together, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the bottom.

Step 4: Pressure Cook the Beef

Secure the lid, set valve to sealing.

Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes.

Allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure.

Step 5: Cook the Pasta

Fold elbow macaroni into the beef mixture.

Close lid, seal, and pressure cook for 5 additional minutes.

Quickly release pressure when done.

Step 6: Final Touch and Serve

Gently mix the goulash, ensuring pasta is perfectly coated.

Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.

Ladle into deep bowls and enjoy this comforting meal.

Instant Pot Tips for Beef Goulash Dinners

• Let beef sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking to ensure even browning and more tender results.
• Add macaroni at the end of cooking to maintain perfect al dente texture and prevent overcooking.
• Use sweet Hungarian paprika for authentic taste and richer color in your goulash.
• Swap regular pasta with gluten-free or whole wheat options to suit different dietary preferences without compromising taste.
• If sauce seems too thin after cooking, use cornstarch slurry or simmer on sauté mode to thicken quickly and achieve desired texture.

Instant Pot Goulash Leftovers

• Transfer leftover goulash into airtight containers and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Package cooled goulash in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months, maintaining best quality and flavor.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm in a saucepan over medium heat. Add a splash of beef broth to restore moisture and prevent sticking, stirring occasionally until heated through.
• Place individual portions in microwave-safe dishes, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals. Stir between intervals to ensure even warming and prevent hot spots.

Best Combos for Beef Goulash

• Pair Perfectly with Robust Wines
• Recommend sipping a bold Hungarian red like Egri Bikavér (Bull's Blood) that matches the goulash's rich, meaty flavor profile and complements its paprika-infused depth.
• Comfort Wine Companion
• Select medium-bodied red wines such as Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon that have enough structure to stand up to the hearty beef and provide a smooth, complementary taste experience.
• Bread Side Harmony
• Serve crusty sourdough or traditional Hungarian rye bread alongside the goulash to soak up the delicious sauce, adding textural contrast and enhancing the overall dining pleasure.
• Fresh Herb Garnish
• Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or chives on top of the goulash to introduce a bright, green note that cuts through the richness and adds a refreshing visual and flavor dimension.

Beef Goulash Instant Pot Options

• Veggie-Packed Version: Replace beef with plant-based protein like lentils or mushrooms, adding extra vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, and carrots for increased nutrition and texture.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional elbow macaroni with gluten-free pasta or cauliflower rice to accommodate wheat-sensitive diets while maintaining the robust flavor profile.
• Spicy Mediterranean Remix: Incorporate Greek or Mediterranean spices like oregano, cumin, and red pepper flakes, then top with crumbled feta cheese for a zesty flavor transformation.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Substitute pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice, reducing carbohydrate content while preserving the hearty meat sauce's rich essence.

FAQs

• What is the origin of goulash?

Goulash originated in Hungary as a hearty beef stew traditionally cooked by shepherds over an open fire. It became a popular comfort food across Central Europe, known for its rich, paprika-infused flavor.

• Why use an Instant Pot for this recipe?

The Instant Pot dramatically reduces cooking time, tenderizing tough beef cuts in just 20 minutes instead of hours of slow cooking. It also helps develop deep flavors quickly and keeps all the moisture locked in.

• Can I substitute the beef with another protein?

You can replace beef with ground turkey or chicken, but the cooking time might need adjustment. The recipe works best with stew meat or chuck roast, which become tender under pressure cooking.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

The recipe isn’t naturally gluten-free due to the pasta. To make it gluten-free, substitute regular elbow macaroni with gluten-free pasta or use cauliflower rice as an alternative.

Beef Goulash Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comforting Instant Pot Beef Goulash brings Hungarian culinary magic straight to your dinner table with tender beef, rich paprika-infused sauce, and quick preparation. Delicious one-pot magic promises satisfying warmth you’ll crave on chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) beef stew meat (or chuck roast, cut into cubes)

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 1 14.5 ounces (411 grams) can crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 cups (473 milliliters) beef broth (or vegetable broth for a lighter version)
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon paprika (regular or smoked)
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons oil (for sauteing)

Pasta:

• 2 cups (240 grams) elbow macaroni (or any small pasta)

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Instructions

1. Energize the Instant Pot’s sauté mode, introducing a touch of oil to caramelize the beef stew meat. Work in batches, allowing each piece to develop a rich, golden-brown exterior, which typically requires about 5 minutes per round. Transfer the browned meat to a separate plate.
2. Utilize the same pot to soften the chopped onions, creating a translucent base that releases aromatic oils. Introduce minced garlic for a brief 30-second sizzle, awakening its pungent essence.
3. Reunite the beef with the aromatic foundation, then incorporate crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Thoroughly integrate these components, carefully loosening any caramelized remnants clinging to the pot’s bottom to prevent scorching.
4. Secure the Instant Pot lid, positioning the valve to “Sealing” mode. Execute a high-pressure cooking cycle lasting 20 minutes, allowing the ingredients to meld and tenderize. Once complete, permit a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, followed by a manual pressure elimination.
5. Gently fold in the elbow macaroni, creating a harmonious blend with the robust sauce. Reseal the lid, return to high-pressure cooking for an additional 5 minutes. Carefully release the pressure using a quick-release method.
6. Conclude by thoroughly stirring the goulash, ensuring the pasta absorbs the rich, complex flavors. Conduct a final taste assessment, fine-tuning the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or paprika as desired to achieve a perfectly balanced dish.

Notes

• Use high-quality beef chuck or stew meat for maximum tenderness and rich flavor development during pressure cooking.
• Brown meat in batches to ensure proper caramelization and prevent overcrowding, which can lead to steaming instead of searing.
• Choose low-sodium beef broth to control salt levels and prevent the dish from becoming too salty during pressure cooking.
• Opt for smoked paprika for an enhanced depth of flavor that adds complexity to the traditional goulash profile.
• For gluten-free variation, replace regular elbow macaroni with gluten-free pasta or use cauliflower rice as a low-carb alternative.
• Allow natural pressure release partially to help meat fibers relax and become more tender, improving overall texture and succulence.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Hungarian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg