Goulash | Description, Ingredients, & Origins (2024)

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Also known as: gulyas

goulash, traditional stew of Hungary. The origins of goulash have been traced to the 9th century, to stews eaten by Magyar shepherds. Before setting out with their flocks, they prepared a portable stock of food by slowly cooking cut-up meats with onions and other flavourings until the liquids had been absorbed. The stew was then dried in the sun and packed into bags made of sheep’s stomachs. At mealtime, water was added to a portion of the meat to reconstitute it into a soup or stew.

Goulash | Description, Ingredients, & Origins (1)

The paprika that is indispensable for flavouring the modern goulash was added to the formulation in the 18th century. The classic “kettle goulash” is prepared by frying cubes of beef or mutton with onions in lard. Garlic, caraway seeds, tomatoes, green peppers, and potatoes complete the stew. Székely gulyás, another Hungarian specialty, is a stew of pork and sauerkraut flavoured with tomatoes, onions, caraway seeds, and sour cream.

Goulash | Description, Ingredients, & Origins (2)

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Goulash | Description, Ingredients, & Origins (2024)

FAQs

Goulash | Description, Ingredients, & Origins? ›

Goulash (Hungarian: gulyás) is a soup or stew of meat and vegetables seasoned with paprika and other spices. Originating in Hungary, goulash is a common meal predominantly eaten in Central Europe but also in other parts of Europe. It is one of the national dishes of Hungary and a symbol of the country.

What was goulash made of originally? ›

The origins of goulash have been traced to the 9th century, to stews eaten by Magyar shepherds. Before setting out with their flocks, they prepared a portable stock of food by slowly cooking cut-up meats with onions and other flavourings until the liquids had been absorbed.

What's the difference between Hungarian goulash and American goulash? ›

Hungarian Goulash is a thick meat and vegetable stew with a broth that's heavily seasoned with paprika, while American Goulash is a quick dish made from ground beef, tomato sauce, herbs, and elbow macaroni noodles. It also goes by the name of American Chop Suey.

What is American goulash made of? ›

This hardy American Goulash Recipe is one of my kids' favorites. It is a classic dish from our childhoods similar to Hamburger Helper, with ground beef and elbow macaroni cooked in a savory tomato sauce and topped with cheese. It's so easy to make this comforting one-pot meal.

What is the difference between Czech and Hungarian goulash? ›

Czech goulash differs from Hungarian goulash, of course. It tends to be milder and beefier, with fewer vegetables than its Hungarian counterpart; it's sometimes made with beer, and it's always served with houskové knedlíky, the ubiquitous Czech bread dumplings, not noodles, potatoes, nor sour cream.

Why do Americans call it goulash? ›

Etymology. The name originates from the Hungarian gulyás [ˈɡujaːʃ]. The word gulya means 'herd of cattle' in Hungarian, and gulyás means 'herdsman' or 'cowboy'.

What's the difference between goulash and paprikash? ›

Both paprikash and goulash are paprika-based stews, but goulash is made with beef and vegetables, while paprikash is most typically made with chicken. Recipes vary, but goulash is usually not thickened with flour like paprikash is, and goulash typically isn't enriched with cream or sour cream.

What is German goulash made of? ›

A juicy and tender beef stew made with paprika, peppers, and a red wine sauce. Originally goulash (gulyás) is from Hungary but over the centuries this traditional stew obviously traveled into different cuisines, including German cuisine. Hungarian goulash has potatoes and sometimes carrots, but German goulash does not.

What's the difference between stroganoff and goulash? ›

What is the difference between Stroganoff and Goulash? The primary difference between Stroganoff and Goulash comes down to the point that Stroganoff is a gravy whereas Goulash is a stew.

What is Austrian goulash made of? ›

Austrian goulash is traditionally made with beef. Tomato paste and sweet ground paprika are then added for better color. The typical taste of the dish is completed by goulash seasoning, which consists of dried marjoram, crushed caraway, and grated lemon zest.

What is goulash in English? ›

gou·​lash ˈgü-ˌläsh. -ˌlash. : a stew made with meat (as beef), vegetables, and paprika. Etymology. from Hungarian gulyás, short for gulyáshús, literally, "herdsman's meat"

How many types of goulash are there? ›

There are two kinds of goulash: Hungarian goulash, which calls for the slow-simmered beef to be served alongside egg noodles, and American goulash, which pulls in ground beef and cooks the noodles in the pot alongside the sauce.

What does the word "goulash" mean in Hungarian? ›

gou·​lash ˈgü-ˌläsh. -ˌlash. : a stew made with meat (as beef), vegetables, and paprika. Etymology. from Hungarian gulyás, short for gulyáshús, literally, "herdsman's meat"

What is slumgullion made of? ›

Ground beef, macaroni and tomato, great flavor and a quick cooking time.

What's the difference between goulash and stew meat? ›

Hungarian goulash is very similar to beef stew, but there are some differences. While a typical stew consists of slow braising chunks of meat with root vegetables in a seasoned broth, goulash uses spices such as caraway, cumin, paprika, and peppers which really enhance and alter the flavor from a classic beef stew.

Who was the first person to make goulash? ›

Goulash has a fairly long history, as it is traced back to 9th century Hungarian shepherds (the term gulyás translates to “herdsmen”), when soup was an important part of the lifestyle. People would dry meats and veggies and then add hot water later to create a soup, and goulash was born.

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