This is one of those recipes that only takes a few minutes to get into the slow cooker, and then you can walk away entirely. Keto Hungarian goulash comes back to a rich, paprika-loaded sauce and genuinely tender beef.
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Spoon this over creamy mashed cauliflower and you have a real dinner worth coming home to.
This dish really is not the same without the onions, so if you are strict keto, a different beef stew might suit you better.
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Chef Jenn’s Take on Hungarian Goulash
When you deglaze the hot skillet with cider vinegar, do not breathe it in, it is genuinely pungent. Keep your nose away from the pan while it hits that hot surface.
Cut big beef cubes into bite-size pieces for more even, faster cooking. Sear the seasoned beef in batches, then transfer to the slow cooker. Sautee the onion and garlic until tender, add the spices, and cook one more minute before adding that too. Deglaze the same skillet with cider vinegar and a bit of broth, scraping up the browned bits, and scrape that into the slow cooker as well. Add the tomato paste and remaining broth, then cook covered on high for 4 to 6 hours, until the beef is tender. Use low or no-sodium beef broth so you control the salt yourself.
Fresh spices genuinely matter here, smoked hot paprika specifically adds something extra, do not skip it.
This dish really is not good without the onions. If strict keto and worried about the carbs, my other Beef Stew is a better choice instead. Pre-cut stew meat works great, or cut your own from a chuck roast on sale.
What You’ll Love About Hungarian Goulash
- Just 4 net carbs per serving, made without any starchy thickeners.
- A rich, paprika-loaded sauce and genuinely tender beef, real comfort food.
- A true set-it-and-forget-it dinner, once it’s in the slow cooker.
Ingredients
- Beef stew meat – Cut into bite-size pieces. Pre-cut works fine, or cut your own from a chuck roast on sale.
- Avocado oil – For searing and sauteing.
- Onion – Sliced. This dish genuinely isn’t the same without it.
- Garlic – Fresh, roughly chopped.
- Beef broth – Low or no sodium, so you can control the salt.
- Tomato paste – Not tomato sauce.
- Paprika and smoked hot paprika – Fresh spices make a real difference.
- Dried thyme – Fresh works too, in a larger amount.
- Bay leaves – Whole, removed before serving.
- Cider vinegar – For deglazing. Keep your nose away from the pan, it’s pungent.
How to Make Hungarian Goulash
Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.
Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper. Working in batches, sear in oil until browned on all sides. Transfer to the slow cooker.
Sautee the onion and garlic in more oil until soft and translucent. Add the spices and cook 1 more minute. Transfer to the slow cooker.
Deglaze the skillet with the cider vinegar and some of the beef broth, scraping up the browned bits. Add this to the slow cooker.
Add the tomato paste, remaining salt, and remaining beef broth to the slow cooker. Cook covered on high for 4 to 6 hours, or until the beef is tender.
Make It A Meal
Spoon this over Keto Cauliflower Mash or Keto Mashed Turnips for the full experience, or serve with a crisp salad or steamed broccoli.
For more beef stews, Keto Beef Stew and Beef Goulash are both worth adding to the rotation.
Storage
This freezes well. Chill it thoroughly, then package in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Frequently Asked Questions
I like using the pre-cut beef stew meat from the grocery store. Or, you can cut your own cubes of meat from a chuck roast. Watch for them to go on sale then stock up! Cut and package your own stew beef for dishes like this!
There are only 4 net carbs in this version of keto goulash. By controlling the amount of onion and not using any starchy thickeners, we can keep the carbs down low.
It all depends on your slow cooker, but to get really tender beef it’ll need to cook on high for at least 4 hours, so give yourself plenty of time.
Hungarian Keto Goulash
Tender chunks of melt-in-your-mouth beef are enveloped in a savory sauce that's packed full of flavor in this keto version of Hungarian Goulash.
- Crock Pot
- 2.5 pounds beef stew meat (cubed)
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil (divided)
- 1 cup onions (sliced)
- 3 cloves garlic (roughly chopped)
- 2 cups low sodium beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 tablespoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon smoked hot paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt (divided)
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Sprinkle the beef cubes with salt and pepper. Working in batches, and adding oil as needed, sear the beef in the oil until brown on all sides. Put the beef into the crock pot.
Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in the skillet and sautee the onions and garlic over medium heat until they're soft and translucent. Add the spices and cook an additional minute. Put the onion and spice mixture into the crock pot.
Deglaze the skillet with the cider vinegar and some of the beef broth if necessary. Put this, and all the pan scrapings, into the crock pot.
Add the tomato paste, 1/2 tsp of salt, and remaining beef broth to the crock pot.
Cook covered, on high, for 4-6 hours or until the beef is tender. Enjoy!
Recipe Card Tips
- Cut big beef cubes into bite-size pieces for more even, faster cooking.
- Deglaze the skillet after searing and sauteing, and add that liquid to the slow cooker for extra flavor.
- Use fresh spices, especially smoked hot paprika, it adds something genuinely extra.
Chef Jenn’s Keto Favorites
There are oodles more keto recipes to love! At the time of publishing this recipe, I’m in love with the following recipes and can’t get enough of them!
- Wonton soup
- Beefy and vegetable soup
- This sausage dish that’s loaded with cheese and sauce
- This Southern inspired chicken casserole
- and for breakfast, my favorite keto version of corned beef hash.
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So flavourful and the beef was so tender. One of our favourite dinners.
OMG, this goulash sounds so amazing! Love that you managed to get it to the right texture without adding starch!
Seems like a great simple recipe! I love your food photography and styling as well.
Thank you so much!
The savory sauce is seriously amazing! This meal was so good and was a huge hit at my house!
This was amazing and everyone loved it! I am looing forward to some leftovers for lunch today!
Love that you added an option for the slow cooker! It looks absolutely yummy and so loaded with flavors!
The worst thing about a keto lifestyle or any other long-term diet is food boredom. Wow, this is awesome.
No boring recipes here! But ya, this one is a keeper! Thanks for dropping by! ~Jenn