If you are in a search for a perfect and easy to make comfort food recipe to warm you up in cold weather, let me introduce you to the Hungarian goulash with smoked sausage and potatoes. This one pot dish has the yummiest sauce made with smoked paprika for the avalanche of flavor!
This Hungarian style goulash truly has more flavor that you will ever guess. This recipe swaps traditional Hungarian sweet paprika with smoked paprika giving it a wonderful smoky flavor. his one is a guaranteed way to make sure that every single bite of potatoes and sausage medallions disappears from your plate. This basic recipe is living proof that a few simple ingredients can create amazing results in the kitchen.
Craving other cozy dinners? Try Cheesy Mexican Chorizo and Potatoes, Homemade Cabbage and Beef Soup and Instant Pot Guinness Beef Stew.
I'll walk you through the best potatoes to use for goulash and how to achieve that perfect comforting stew aroma.
Why you'll fall in love with this recipe
Savory, Smoky, and Sweet - This Hungarian goulash recipe hits all the flavor notes! Savory smoked sausage, sweet Hungarian paprika, and the perfect amount of smokiness thanks to the smoked paprika!
Quick and Easy - Traditional Hungarian goulash takes a fair amount of time to make because the meat simmers and is braised in the sauce. My version is made in one skillet, ready to eat in 30 minutes, and absolutely delivers bold delicious flavors!
Hungarian Goulash Key Ingredients
Smoked sausage. As we all know they can make sausage out of different types of meat. In this recipe either chicken or pork sausage will do. In terms of what kind of smoked sausage works best here, I found that I prefer Italian style smoked sausage, even though andouille, kielbasa and even chorizo are easy to work with as well:).
Potatoes. I always use red skin potatoes in this recipe because this type of potatoes do not disintegrate while cooking. You should not use russet potatoes here because they are way more starchy the the red potatoes and will make your stew look like a mush.
Here's how to make Hungarian Goulash
Start with the potatoes. What I do is wash the potatoes, peel them, and then chop them into ½ inch squares, skin on and then they are ready for the stew pot. Play around with the timing until you get the potatoes to turn out exactly how you like them. I find that 15 minutes of simmering with the lid on and 10 minutes with the lid off just does the trick for me.
Cook smoked sausage: First things first, let's slice the sausage on the bias. Slice it at an angle into thin medallions.
Then brown you sausage before starting the potatoes. Simply add a bit of olive oil in the large deep skillet and brown those sausage medallions away!
Once done, those sausage slices will become deep brown in color:
Caramelize the onions: After your smoked sausage is nice and brown, you can caramelize those onions in butter and sausage drippings. So good!
Add the potatoes: Finally add sliced potatoes and chopped parsley to the pan with onions and simmer for 15 minutes with the lid closed. Then uncover, and let the potatoes to simmer for 10 more minutes.
Add smoked sausage last: Add sliced sausage back to the pan at the very end to reheat.
FAQs
What potatoes should I use? As I mentioned above I usually use red skin potatoes in my goulash. And I've been doing to for quite some time(ok, for many years). But I also successfully used Yukon Gold or whites as well as fingerlings.
Can I make the goulash ahead? Yes! Always make enough stew for the next day, it is always better on day two. Do what I do. If I want the stew on Saturday, I make it on Friday and put it in the fridge until Tuesday. Try it for yourself and see if you prefer it the next day.
Substitutions
Chicken Stock: 1 ½ cups of chicken stock can be substituted for 1 cup of white wine and 1 chicken stock. If using wine, add it to the pan after onions and garlic. Let it simmer in the pan for about 1 minute. You can also use beef broth instead.
Potatoes: Not any type of potato can be used in this recipe. Red potatoes are a first choice since they are firm and have a waxy texture that's ideal for stews. If you're looking for a creamy texture, opt for Yukon Gold potatoes. We find red, yellow, or baby potatoes hold their shape best, which is what we want here. Russet or baking potatoes should not be used.
Storage
The leftover Hungarian goulash recipe will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. You can also freeze the leftovers since this dish has no problem being defrosted.
Reheat the leftovers in the microwave or on medium-low heat on the stovetop until warmed through. If the goulash is too thick, stir in a splash of chicken stock or water.
Enjoy!
More delicious sausage recipes
- Sausage Breakfast Casserole
- Italian Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
- Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash
- Creamy Tortellini with Sausage
- Easy Vodka Sauce and Sausage Pasta
- Creamy Cajun Chicken and Smoked Sausage Pasta
Hungarian Goulash with Smoked Sausage
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 14-16 ounces smoked sausage sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 onion thinly sliced
- 3 garlic cloves minced or pressed through garlic press
- Salt to taste
- ¾ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1.5 to 2 pounds medium-size red skin potatoes peeled and sliced into ½" thick circles (about 2 ¾ lbs)
- 1 ½ cup chicken stock
- ⅓ cup parsley chopped
Instructions
Brown the sausage
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large deep skillet.
- Once the oil is hot, add in the smoked sausage medallions, and brown them for a few minutes until they become a deep brown color.
- Remove the sausage from the pan and set aside.
Make goulash base
- To the same pan add in the butter, and allow it to melt; add in the onions, and caramelize those in the butter and sausage drippings, about 5-7 minutes.
- Now add in the garlic, a couple of pinches of salt, the freshly cracked black pepper and the paprika, and stir to combine with the onions.
- Saute for two more minutes.
Cook the potatoes
- Next, add in the sliced potatoes, chicken stock and parsley, and stir to combine.
- Cover the pan with a lid that and simmer on medium-low heat for about 15 minutes.
- Then, uncover and allow the potatoes to continue to simmer for 10 more minutes, or until they are tender and the sauce a bit thickened, stirring once or twice during that time.
- Finally add the smoked sausage back into the pan, and add a couple more pinches of salt and pepper, if necessary. Serve hot
Madison says
This has become one of my go-to comfort foods. I've started making it in double batches because between my husband and I, we have a hard time leaving enough for leftovers! I share this recipe with many of my beginner-cook friends looking for something easy, affordable, and entirely delicious.
Olya says
Thank you, Madison, for such a specific review - I love hearing all the details. So glad you both enjoy the recipe!
Cassidy says
I added some Coby jack cheese on top and everyone loves it
Olya says
Yes! Cheese is the way to go.
Feisty says
I happen to have some Hungarian smoked sausage and thought that I would give this recipe a try since there isn’t much to it. It was pretty simple, but it was very bland and I can’t even finish this bowl. I’m glad I Did not double the recipe move onto the next recipe. This one sucks and I’m a good.
Jackie says
Do you use hot or sweet paprika? Made this tonight using hot Hungarian sausage and sweet paprika to balance.
Olya says
I used sweet paprika, but can imagine that your combination worked very well!
Farrah says
I just made this tonight. I used homemade deer and pork sausage, and instead of potatoes, I used Turnips. I am trying different ideas for my dad and his diet. He can’t have much potatoes so I thought turnips cook like potatoes. It was a huge hit!
Olya says
Perfect combo of deer, pork and turnips in form of a goulash.
Barbara says
I made this with veggie broth and vegan sausage. It was fantastic. We love paprika. So this was a big hit. Thanks for a great recipe. I will definitely make it again.
Olya says
Sounds like a perfect vegan dinner, Barbara!
Alex says
Amazing, made it last night. Perfect.
Olya says
Wonderful!
Becky says
How can you freeze this?
Olya says
Yes, absolutely!
Antonio V says
Will be trying this next week and I'll update you how it goes. I love having a few recipes on hand that are quick and easy to make. One suggestion on your ingredients however, because it may confuse some. The potato entry reads "1.5 to 2 pounds medium-size red skin potatoes, peeled and sliced into ½” thick circles" follow by, in parenthesis "( about 2 ¾ lbs)".
Olya says
I'm glad you read the directions and saw that. I removed that second part. Please report on when you make it.
Zabreena says
My family loved this. We love anything with sausage anyway but this was amazing. I added a sprinkle of red pepper to give it a spicy taste and it was a hit. Thank you for your recipe
Olya says
Yes - the spice works so well.