Pörkölt (Hungarian Beef Stew)
Pörkölt is a hearty and flavorful Hungarian beef stew, rich with paprika and tender meat. It's traditionally served with noodles or potatoes, making it a comforting main course.
An original recipe by Forkin
- Total time
- 2 hr 20 min
- Serves
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Per serving
- 662 kcal
Mise en place
Ingredients
Converted for display; the recipe amounts stay equivalent.
- 900 gbeef chuck, cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes
- 2 pcsyellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsplard
- 3 tbspsweet paprika
- 1 tsphot paprika(optional)
- 3 clovegarlic, minced
- 0.5 tspcaraway seed
- 1 pcstomato, diced
- 1 pcsbell pepper, diced
- 2 cupwater
- 1 tspsalt
- 0.5 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
Equipment
large pot · wooden spoon
The method
Step by step
- 1
Heat the lard in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
About 2 min
- 2
Add the yellow onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 8-10 minutes.
About 9 min
Cook’s note: Do not brown the onions; they should be very soft.
- 3
Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the sweet paprika and hot paprika, if using. Mix well to coat the onions.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Removing from heat prevents the paprika from burning, which can make it bitter.
- 4
Return the pot to medium heat. Add the beef chuck and stir to coat with the paprika and onion mixture.
About 2 min
- 5
Add the minced garlic, caraway seed, diced tomato, and diced bell pepper to the pot. Stir to combine.
About 1 min
- 6
Pour in the water, ensuring it just covers the meat. If needed, add a little more water.
About 1 min
- 7
Season with salt and black pepper.
- 8
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and cook for at least 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is very tender.
About 2 hr
Cook’s note: Stir occasionally and add a splash more water if the stew becomes too dry.
- 9
Taste and adjust seasonings as needed before serving.
About 1 min
Per serving
Nutrition
- Calories
- 662.3kcal
- Protein
- 46.2g
- Carbs
- 19.7g
- Fat
- 46.2g
- Fibre
- 4.9g
- Sugar
- 6.3g
Estimated from the recipe’s ingredient quantities. Values can vary with brands and substitutions.
Keep it good
Store leftover pörkölt in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water if needed, or in the microwave.
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