Hovezi Gulas Traditional Czech Beef Goulash Stew Recipe (2024)

Posted November 2, 2022 Recipes

Hovezi Gulas is a traditional Czech Goulash recipe typically served as a comforting stew in the cold Fall and Winter months.

Hearty homemade Czech Goulash is prepared by braising chunks of stewing beef with potatoes, tomato, onions, paprika and garlic.

We suggest serving this easy Czech Beef Goulash recipe with crusty bread, boiled dumplings or noodles. Wash it all down with an ice cold glass of pilsner-style lager like Pilsner Urquell.

Serve topped with a dollop of sour cream, sprinkle of fresh parsley and thinly sliced sweet vidalia onions.

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Hovezi Gulas Traditional Czech Beef Goulash Stew Recipe (1)

What Is Hovezi Gulas?

Hovezi Gulas, spelled locally as Hovězí Guláš, is a thick savoury stew prepared with chunks of tender beef, onions and spices.

Goulash is popular throughout Eastern Europe, but this version is authentically Czech. The most famous version of goulash comes from Hungary. It’s a thin soup with meat, peppers, potatoes, and plenty of paprika.

Meanwhile in the Czech Republic, local cooks have their own unique version of goulash. Czech beef goulash is a staple on local pub menus where it is often served topped with sliced onion, boiled dumplings and accompanied by a Pilsner, a beer style originally invented by Pilsner Urquell in Pilsen.

Hovezi Gulas Traditional Czech Beef Goulash Stew Recipe (2)

Travel to Czech Republic by Making Beef Goulash at Home

I love traveling to Europe.

As a professional food and travel journalist, I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy amazing meals in Europe, from traditional markets to award winning restaurants.

During my first visit to the continent I traveled for 5 months by train and plane. I had the opportunity to eat my way throughIreland,Scotland,England,Wales,Portugal,Spain,France,Belgium,Holland,Denmark,Norway,Sweden,Finland,Russia,Estonia,Latvia,Poland,Czech,Germany,Austria,Croatia,Bosnia,Hungary,Slovakia,Greece,TurkeyandItaly.

I’ll never forget the first time I tasted Czech Beef Goulash. I was on a press trip hosted by the Czech beer brand Pilsner Urquell and joined by other food writers and a few famous Canadian chefs.

The 3 day trip had us visiting the Pilsner Urquell Brewery in Pilsen as well as the bustling city of Prague.

After spending our first day touring the historic Pilsner Urquell production facility in Pilsen we dined at the brewery’s on site Restaurant Na Spilce. The traditional brewpub offers a menu featuring classic Czech fare, all of which pairs perfectly with an ice cold glass of freshly tapped pilsner.

An impressive bowl of Czech Goulash arrived at the table, paired with a parade of traditional side dishes. Later on the trip I explored other unique Czech dishes at award winning restaurants like Kampa Park, Cafe Savoy, and La Degustation Boheme Bourgeoise.

Where To Eat Czech Goulash

If you live in a large city inCanadaorAmericayou’ll likely have access to a local German or Eastern European restaurant that serves their own Czech Goulash recipe.

Haven’t traveled to the Czech Republic before? It may be helpful to first sample Hovezi Gulas at a local restaurant to better understand how the stew is served. You’ll get an understanding for the ideal beef to potato ratio, perfect blend of spices and thickness of the sauce.

InToronto, popular restaurantsserving Eastern European dishes that may offer Czech Beef Goulash include Country Style Hungarian, Wvrst, Otto’s Bierhalle, Little Bavaria, Cafe Polonez and Europe Bar and Restaurant.

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My Family Loves Czech Beef Goulash

After traveling to the Czech Republic I returned home keen to recreate some of my favourite dishes for friends and family.

I knew my family would love a homemade Czech Goulash recipe because they are big fans of beef and hearty stews.

We now like to make this Czech meat stew every winter at the cottage. After spending the day shoveling snow, cross country skiing or skating on the frozen lake a hot bowl of Czech Goulash warms you up quickly!

Hovezi Gulas is the perfect main course to serve with a few bottles of cold pilsner lager. Sop up the sauce with slices of sourdough bread or your favourite dumplings or egg noodles.

Hovezi Gulas Traditional Czech Beef Goulash Stew Recipe (5)

Health Benefits

Our homemade Czech Goulash recipe is packed full of wholesome ingredients!

Beef is a great source of protein and minerals like iron as well as an excellent source of the amino acid L-caine. Beef also features antioxidant glutathione known for its anti-aging benefits.

Onions are a humble vegetable packed with vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. Regular consumption of leeks can help boost digestive health and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.

It is only recently that scientists have begun to identify the components responsible for garlic’s myriad health benefits. Rich in phytochemicals and potassium, garlic helps boost your immune system, fight cancer and protect your heart.

Paprika is rich in vitamin A, capsaicin, and carotenoid antioxidants. These substances may help prevent inflammation and improve your cholesterol, eyehealth and blood sugar levels.

Potatoes are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Studies have linked potatoes to a variety of impressive health benefits, including improved blood sugar control, reduced heart disease risk and higher immunity.

Rich in a group of phytochemicals called carotenoids,tomatoesmay help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, and provide protection against cancer. Tomatoes are also a good source of immune-boosting vitamin C.

An excellent source of vitamin K, as well as vitamin C, folate, and iron, parsley helps keep your bones and blood healthy, and protects your skin from damage by free radicals.

Packed with calcium and friendly probiotic bacteria, sour cream and yogurt help keep your bones strong and your gut healthy. Yogurt may also help reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes and some types of cancer.

Hovezi Gulas Traditional Czech Beef Goulash Stew Recipe (6)

Czech Goulash Recipe Cooking Tips

This homemade Czech Goulash recipe is quick and easy to make at home. We’ve included a few cooking tips:

Prepare the stew in a heavy duty pot or Dutch Oven with a lid.
We’ve used stewing beef in this recipe but you can substitute with lamb or wild boar if you prefer.
We’ve used Spanish cooking onions in this recipe but you can substitute for red onion or shallots.
We’ve used canola oil in this recipe as it’s flavourless and takes on the flavour of the spices. You can substitute for olive oil if you prefer.
You can make a vegetarian or vegan Czech goulash recipe by substituting beef for a variety of fresh winter vegetables like carrots and parsnips. You can substitue the beef stock with mushroom broth of vegetable stock.
If you don’t have dried marjoram on your spice rack you can substitute for oregano.
If you’re counting calories substitute full fat sour cream for thick and creamy Greek yogurt. A healthier option and the kids certainly won’t know!

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What To Serve with Czech Beef Goulash

We know you’re family and friends will love this hearty Czech Goulash recipe.

It’s traditionally paired with an ice cold golden pilsner, like Pilsner Urquell. When you order the dish at a local pub or restaurant it’s typically served with crusty bread, boiled dumplings or noodles. It’s a truly comforting dish featuring your daily source of meat, carbs and cream!

How To Make Traditional Hovezi Gulas Czech Beef Goulash

Print Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Hovezi Gulas Czech Beef Goulash

How to make traditional Hovezi Gulas. Our easy Czech Beef Goulash recipe is a comforting winter stew served with sour cream and noodles.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time1 hour hr

Total Time1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Czech

Keyword: Czech Goulash

Servings: 6

Calories: 310kcal

Equipment

measuring cups
measuring spoons
French knife
Dutch Oven
Spatula or Wooden Spoon

Ingredients

1 Large Spanish Onion chopped
3 tbsp Canola Oil
400 g Stewing Beef cut into 3/4 inch cubes
1 tbsp Sweet Paprika
6 cups Beef Stock
1 Large Yukon Gold Potato peeled and diced
1/2 cup All Purpose Flour
2 tsp Dried Marjoram
1 tsp Ground Black Pepper
2 tbsp Tomato Paste
5 Garlic Cloves peeled and crushed
Salt
1 tsp Parsley chopped
2 tbsp Vidalia Onion thinly sliced
1/4 cup Sour Cream

Instructions

In a dutch oven, gently fry the onion in the oil for 5-10 minutes or until golden. Add the beef and season with 1 tsp salt.
Add the paprika and fry for 1 minute.
Pour over the beef stock and cook for 45 minutes to an hour, or until the meat is tender. Meanwhile, boil the potatoes in another pan for 15-20 minutes, or until tender.
In a small bowl, mix the flour with 1 tbsp cold water and, when the meat is cooked, stir into the goulash.
Add the cooked potatoes, marjoram, black pepper, tomato paste and garlic. Taste and adjust seasoning, then cook for an additional 5 minutes.
Garnish with parsley, sliced vidalia onion and dollop of sour cream. Serve with rye bread, dumplings or noodles.

Nutrition

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