One of the most famous Hungarian dishes, this slow-simmered Hungarian beef and onion stew is loaded with flavor and is positively delicious! Authentic Pörkölt, or Hungarian beef and onion stew, is a rich and flavorful dish. It features tender beef, caramelized onions, and traditional Hungarian spices like paprika and caraway seeds. The stew is simmered slowly for a deep and satisfying flavor. Pörkölt is typically served with potatoes or noodles, and it’s a comforting and delicious taste of Hungary.
Serves 4-6
INGREDIENTS
4 slices thick-cut bacon, diced (traditionally you would use about 2 tbsp of lard) and many Hungarians add some kolbasz for flavor
1 large yellow onion
1 green bell pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large tomato
1/2 tsp caraway seeds
1 bay leaf, salt and black pepper
1 1/2 pounds (700 g) stewing beef, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
4 tbsp sweet Hungarian paprika
1 1/2 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Water
INSTRUCTIONS
Heat a heavy pot or Dutch oven and fry the bacon until crispy. Once done, add the onions and cook over medium-high heat until they turn golden. Add the bell peppers and garlic, and sauté for an additional two minutes. Next, add the beef to the pot and cook for one minute until it loses some of its pink color. Stir in the paprika, then remove the pot from the heat.
Add the tomatoes, bay leaf, caraway seeds, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pour just enough water into the pot to reach slightly over halfway up the stew mixture. Return the pot to the heat and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium-low, and let it simmer for 90 minutes. If the stew is not thick enough, simmer uncovered for a few more minutes to allow some of the liquid to evaporate.
Serve with mashed or boiled potatoes or wide egg noodles. It is traditional to also serve a side salad, particularly a cucumber salad.
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Homemade Mashed Potatoes: Easy, Creamy, and Bursting with Flavor!
INGREDIENTS:
2 lb (1 kg) potatoes
1 tbsp salt
3 tbsp (50 g) unsalted butter
1/2 cup (120 ml) warm whole milk
1/2 tsp salt
Garnish with extra butter
INSTRUCTIONS:
To prepare the perfect mashed potatoes, start by cutting the potato into evenly sized pieces. Boil them in salted water until they are incredibly soft and can be easily crumbled with a fork. After draining, return the potatoes to the pot and mash them with butter and milk until they reach a creamy and fluffy texture.
Finally, transfer the mashed potatoes to a serving bowl and create decorative swirls on the top. This will provide the perfect canvas to drizzle some extra melted butter, taking the mashed potatoes to a whole new level of deliciousness!
