Crazy Delicious Beef Goulash: Chef John’s Signature Recipe!

1. Gather all ingredients.

   

2. Season beef with salt and black pepper.

   

3. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over high heat; cook and stir beef in hot oil in batches until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch.

   

4. Transfer to a large stockpot and reserve drippings in the skillet.

   

5. Return skillet to medium heat; stir onions into the reserved drippings, drizzle olive oil over onions, season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook until onion has softened, about 5 minutes. Transfer to the stockpot with beef.

   

   

6. Combine paprika, caraway seeds, black pepper, marjoram, thyme, and cayenne pepper in the skillet and toast over medium heat until fragrant, about 3 minutes.

   

7. Add 1 cup chicken broth and stir; transfer to the beef and onion mixture.

   

   

8. Stir 3 cups chicken broth into beef mixture. Add tomato paste, garlic, vinegar, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and bay leaf; place stockpot over high heat and bring to a boil.

   

9. Reduce heat to low and simmer until a fork inserts easily into the meat, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

   

Chef’s Note:

Real goulash is more like a soup, so if you want yours thinner, just add 2 or 3 extra cups of broth.