Loaded with tender chunks of beef and a sauce that’s rich, thick, and loaded with flavor, this Hungarian Keto Goulash is a keeper!
This is one of those perfect recipes: it takes a few minutes to get it all in the crock pot, but then you can walk away and come back to a dinner that’s pretty darn terrific.
Spooned over top creamy mashed cauliflower? Yes please?
Hungry? Let’s get cooking!
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What You Need To Make Hungarian Keto Goulash
- Crock pot / slow cooker
- Beef stew meat
- Onions
- Garlic – fresh is best!
- Avocado oil
- Cider vinegar
- Beef stock
- Tomato paste
- Spices: paprika, smoked hot paprika, thyme, bay leaves
- Salt and pepper
How to Make Easy Hungarian Goulash
- Brown the well-seasoned beef cubes in oil until browned on all sides. Put into the crock pot.
- Cook the onions and garlic until the onions are tender. Add the spices and cook an extra minute. Put into the crock pot.
- Deglaze the pan with the cider vinegar and some beef broth, then, yup, you guessed it – into the crock pot.
- Everything else goes into the crock pot. Set it and forget it for about 6 hours or until the beef is tender!
Chef Jenn’s Tips to Make Keto Hungarian Goulash Slow Cooker Style
- If your beef is in big cubes, cut them down into bite-size pieces. This’ll help it cook more evenly and faster, too.
- Use fresh spices! Smoked hot paprika really adds a bit of something extra to this dish so don’t skip it. I like this combination pack which includes both sweet and smoked hot paprika.
- This dish really isn’t good without the onions. If you’re strict keto and worried about the onions, maybe this Beefy Beef Stew is a better option.
- When you deglaze the hot pan with the vinegar, don’t breathe it in! It’s really pungent – keep your nose away from the pan.
- Use low or no sodium added beef broth (or homemade!) to keep the sodium levels under your control.
What To Serve With This Keto Goulash Recipe
A creamy mashed cauliflower is just what you need with this recipe, or perhaps even creamy mashed turnips.
Imagine this rich and chunky stew ladled over the creamy mash – mmm! I’m making myself hungry!
You can also just enjoy it with a crisp, green salad, or opt for a simple veggie like steamed broccoli.
It is a protein-packed meal, so watch your macros and adjust accordingly.
Is This Traditional Hungarian Goulash Recipe Freezer Friendly?
A big yes!
Simply chill it thoroughly then package it in freezer-safe plastic bags or containers for up to three months.
Then to reheat, let it thaw and then heat it in the microwave or on the stovetop.
My favorite way to freeze saucy and soupy recipes is by using Souper Cubes! These amazing freezer-safe cubes are perfect for freezing portions of all my favorite soups, stews, and other saucy meals. I freeze them then pop them out and put the rectangular frozen blocks into a zipper-top freezer bag. It makes storing them SOOOO much easier!
Where can you find these Soup Cubes? You can order them from Souper Cubes – how cool is this?
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.
Like This Keto Beef Stew Recipe? Also Try:
Step By Step Process
Hungarian Keto Goulash
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2.5 pounds beef stew meat cubed
- 3 tbsp avocado oil divided
- 1 cup onions sliced
- 3 cloves garlic roughly chopped
- 2 cups low sodium beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp smoked hot paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tbsp cider vinegar
- 1 tsp salt divided
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- 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!
Nutrition
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed. Erythritol carbs (sugar substitutes) are not included in the carbohydrate counts as they have been shown not to impact blood sugar, and they have zero calories and zero carbs. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
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.
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