Croatian Gulaš (Gulyás)

Ingredients

While the Hungarian Gulyás is traditionally made with chunks of beef, the Croatian Gulaš often includes additional ingredients such as potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers. The Croatian version also tends to have a thicker consistency, achieved by adding a small amount of flour to the stew. Additionally, Croatian Gulaš may incorporate local spices and herbs, giving it a distinct flavor profile. We alse have the original recipe for Gulyás, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) beef, cut into cubes 500g (1.1 lb) beef, cut into cubes
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons sweet paprika 2 tablespoons sweet paprika
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
• 2 bay leaves 2 bay leaves
• 2 potatoes, peeled and diced 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 500ml (2 cups) beef broth 500ml (2 cups) beef broth
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 4g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic, and sauté until they become translucent.
2. 2.
   Add the beef cubes to the pot and cook until browned on all sides.
3. 3.
   Sprinkle the sweet and smoked paprika, caraway seeds, and bay leaves over the beef. Stir well to coat the meat with the spices.
4. 4.
   Add the potatoes, carrots, and red bell pepper to the pot. Stir to combine.
5. 5.
   Sprinkle the flour over the ingredients and stir until everything is coated evenly.
6. 6.
   Pour in the beef broth and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir well.
7. 7.
   Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for about 2 hours, or until the beef is tender and the flavors have melded together.
8. 8.
   Remove the bay leaves from the stew before serving.
9. 9.
   Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Beef — Choose a tender cut of beef, such as chuck or stewing beef, for the best results in this stew.
• Paprika — Opt for high-quality sweet and smoked paprika to enhance the flavor of the dish.
• Caraway seeds — Toast the caraway seeds in a dry pan before adding them to the stew to release their aromatic oils.
• Potatoes — Cut the potatoes into evenly sized cubes to ensure they cook evenly.
• Beef broth — If you prefer a richer flavor, use homemade beef broth or a high-quality store-bought version.

Tips & Tricks

• For a smokier flavor, you can add a small amount of smoked bacon or smoked sausage to the stew.
• If you prefer a thicker consistency, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a little water and add it to the stew during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
• Gulaš tastes even better the next day, so consider making it in advance and reheating it for a deeper flavor.
• Serve the stew with crusty bread or traditional Croatian dumplings for a complete meal.
• Feel free to adjust the amount of paprika and spices according to your taste preferences.

Serving advice

Serve the Croatian Gulaš hot in deep bowls, garnished with chopped fresh parsley. Accompany it with a side of crusty bread or Croatian dumplings for a satisfying and comforting meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, you can sprinkle a pinch of sweet paprika on top of the stew before serving. Serve it in rustic bowls or traditional Croatian pottery for an authentic touch.