The Best Easy Vegan Goulash Recipe - Munchyesta (2024)

by Simone

– Healthy, easy to make and so good

Say hello to the best vegan goulash recipe ever. Calling anything the best ever is a tall order, I know, but this plant-based goulash is a feast of rich deep flavors, amazing meaty textures, magical fragrant spices, and red wine. It’s a recipe you’re going to want to make on repeat.

There’s just something about that deep rich woodsy flavor to portobello mushrooms that brings out the best in red wine and vice versa. It’s a flavor combo that’s irresistibly delicious… it creates a mouthwatering aroma in the kitchen and tastes even better.

Jump to Recipe

This plant-based Hungarian goulash is a one-pot ultimate comfort food dish featuring lots of smoky paprika, deep earthy flavors, irresistible thyme and spices, and a meaty texture thanks to the mushrooms…so meaty, in fact, that I have been questioned if this dish really is vegan every time I serve it. And I haven’t even mentioned the sauce. All I can say is yum. Get ready for a deeply flavored, rich, and so tasty red sauce with a hint of red wine in the background.

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This easy vegan goulash is

  • Creamy, rich, and loaded with amazing flavors and textures
  • Completely plant-based
  • Easy to make
  • A great easy one-pot vegan dinner recipe
  • Gluten-free
  • Family-friendly recipe
  • So versatile – make it in a pot, instant pot, or crockpot
  • Healthy and loaded with nutrients
  • A low-calorie delicious dinner
  • A great cozy weeknight meal that doubles as a very tasty popular guest recipe
  • Budget-friendly vegan dinner

Ingredients you need to make the best easy vegan goulash

Portobello mushrooms

– portobello mushrooms work as our beef substitute in this plant-based goulash. The mushrooms are amazing because they soak up all the spices and sauce and have the same meaty texture as beef. I firmly believe that it’s the portobello mushrooms in this recipe that are the reason people always think there’s real meat in the dish.

Potatoes

– Yukon gold potatoes or other larger potatoes will work in this easy tasty goulash. To make sure the potatoes are cooked to tender deliciousness, dice them into 1/2” pieces. The potatoes add an extra meaty texture to the dish.

Red peppers

– juicy, spicy bell peppers enhance the paprika flavor and add a peppery without being too spicy flavor to the dish.

Onions

– you can’t make a goulash without onions. Dice the onions by hand or let your food processor take care of the chopping for you.

Garlic

– finely dice or mince the garlic to let the wonderful garlic flavors infuse the dish.

Tomato paste

– the condensed sweetness of tomatoes adds a delicious richness to the sauce.

Canned Tomatoes

– to make the most amazing deeply flavorful tomato sauce. Canned tomatoes are usually harvested at their prime and add a deep summer flavor to the rich sauce. Along with the spices, garlic, and red wine the canned tomatoes create a masterpiece of a sauce.

Spices

– spices make the goulash a real goulash. You need to season generously with paprika, thyme, ground pepper,

Red wine

– adding a splash of red wine to your goulash takes the tasty red sauce to another level of deliciousness. You will want to use a fairly good red wine with a deep flavor and a few spicy undertones. If you prefer making a sauce without red wine, read how to create a substitute red wine below that will add the same depth of spice, tartness, and sweetness.

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What to eat with goulash?

Goulash is traditionally a one-pot meal, typically served with a side of bread…but you can also serve it with fluffy rice, mashed potatoes, or couscous. For extra veggies, you can also add a healthy side of salad.

Salads that go well with goulash

  • Authentic Spanish White Bean Salad
  • Easy Greek Fennel Salad
  • Warm Spicy Chickpea and Carrot salad with Feta and Dukkah
  • Easy roasted eggplant and lentil salad
  • Amazing Spicy Black Bean and Zucchini Salad

Red wine sauce

This amazing cozy red sauce has a hint of red wine that creates a deeper flavor and brings out the meatiness of the mushrooms in the best way. As the sauce cooks, all of the alcohol evaporates leaving only the luscious depth and freshness of wine that takes this sauce to the next level.

Do I have to use red wine in goulash?

For a deeply flavorful sauce, you definitely want to use red wine. But I know there are a lot of people who would rather not waste good wine on food, so I’ve got a backup plan. If you would rather make a sauce without red wine, you can use my easy red wine substitute:

Red wine substitute for sauce

To create a sauce that closely mimics red wine you will need:

  • add vegetable stock
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • and 3 tablespoons red jam (preferably wild berry jam)
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Step-by-step: Easy way to make Vegan Goulash

  • Heat olive oil in a deep pan and add diced onions, peppers, and potatoes to the pan. Let the vegetables sauté for a few minutes while stirring occasionally. Add the chopped mushrooms and season with paprika, smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Mix to combine everything and cook for 1-2 more minutes at medium heat.
  • Next, add the tomato paste, canned tomatoes, vegetable stock, and red wine. Stir to combine everything. Place the bay leaves in the sauce and cover the pan with a lid. Turn the heat down to a simmer and let the goulash simmer for 20-30 minutes or until the potatoes are cooked tender.
  • Serve with a dollop of vegan yogurt and a sprinkle of fresh herbs and enjoy.

How to make goulash in a crockpot

Place all the ingredients in your crockpot and stir to mix. Cook for 5-6 hours on high, or 7-8 hours on low. Stir together to combine and add extra salt if needed. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and a dollop of vegan yogurt right before serving.

Enjoy.

How to make goulash in an instant pot

  • Place the instant pot on the sauté setting. Heat the oil in the instant pot and carefully place the diced onions, peppers, and potatoes in the pot. Season with all the seasoning; paprika, smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook for a few minutes while stirring occasionally.
  • Next, add all the rest of the ingredients to the pot. Secure the lid and select the high-pressure setting. Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally (it should take 10-15 minutes). Carefully remove the lid and stir to mix everything well. Taste to see if more salt or other seasoning is needed.
  • Leave to rest for 1 minute to let the sauce thicken slightly.
  • Serve with a dollop of creamy vegan yogurt on top and enjoy.
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Frequently asked questions

Can you freeze goulash?

Yes, you can. This Goulash recipe is very freezer friendly. Just make sure to cool the goulash completely in the refrigerator first, then transfer it to the freezer for long-term storage. Goulash can be frozen for 3-5 months. Remember to defrost and completely reheat the goulash before serving again.

What is goulash?

Goulash is a traditional Hungarian stew filled with meat, usually beef, vegetables, and lots and lots of paprika. Vegan goulash is a goulash with the same seasoning, a delicious deep-flavored sauce, tender vegetables, mushrooms, or other meat substitutes, and still lots and lots of Paprika.

What kind of pot should I use to make goulash?

A large heavy soup pan or any deep-sided pan or pot will work to make this easy plant-based goulash recipe. A Dutch oven will work really well for making creamy goulash every time.

Can I make vegan goulash in a crockpot?

Yes, absolutely. Goulash is easy to make in a crockpot. Just follow the simple instructions in the recipe below to make your own crockpot Goulash in no time.

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The best Vegan Goulash recipe – easy, healthy, and so good

Say hello to the best vegan goulash recipe ever. Calling anything the best ever is a tall order, I know, but this plant-based goulash is a feast of rich deep flavors, amazing meaty textures, magical fragrant spices, and red wine. It’s a recipe you’re going to want to make on repeat.

There’s just something about that deep rich woodsy flavor to portobello mushrooms that brings out the best in red wine and vice versa. It’s a flavor combo that’s irresistibly delicious… it creates a mouthwatering aroma in the kitchen and tastes even better.

Course Dinner

Cuisine Hungarian

Keyword vegan dinner

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 4 people

Author Simone – Munchyesta.com

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 4 large (250g) Portobello Mushrooms chopped
  • 3 medium-sized Potatoes diced
  • 2 Yellow Onions diced
  • 4 cloves Garlic minced or finely chopped
  • 1 can Tomatoes fire-roasted canned tomatoes if you can get them
  • 3 tsp Tomato Paste
  • 2 Red Bell Peppers diced
  • 3 tbsp Paprika (yes, I actually mean 3 tablespoons)
  • 1 tbsp Smoked Paprika
  • 3 tsp Dried Thyme
  • 1 tsp Dried Oregano
  • 1 tsp Dried Basil
  • 2-3 Bay leaves
  • A pinch of Cayenne Pepper
  • cup (300ml) Vegetable Broth
  • cup (300ml) Red Wine Bordeaux, or good red wine
  • ½ tsp Salt more to taste
  • ¼ tsp Ground Black Pepper

Instructions

Cooking goulash on the stove

  • Heat olive oil in a deep pan and add diced onions, peppers, and potatoes to the pan. Let the vegetables sauté for a few minutes while stirring occasionally. Add the chopped mushrooms and season with paprika, smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Mix to combine everything and cook for 1-2 more minutes at medium heat.

  • Next, add the tomato paste, canned tomatoes, vegetable stock, and red wine. Stir to combine everything. Place the bay leaves in the sauce and cover the pan with a lid. Turn the heat down to a simmer and let the goulash simmer for 20-30 minutes or until the potatoes are cooked tender.

    Serve with a dollop of vegan yogurt and a sprinkle of fresh herbs and enjoy.

Making in a crockpot

  • Place all the ingredients in your crockpot and stir to mix. Cook for 5-6 hours on high, or 7-8 hours on low. Stir together to combine and add extra salt if needed. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and a dollop of vegan yogurt right before serving.

    Enjoy.

Cooking in an instant pot

  • Place the instant pot on the sauté setting. Heat the oil in the instant pot and carefully place the diced onions, peppers, and potatoes in the pot. Season with all the seasoning; paprika, smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook for a few minutes while stirring occasionally.

  • Next, add all the rest of the ingredients to the pot. Secure the lid and select the high-pressure setting. Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally (it should take 10-15 minutes). Carefully remove the lid and stir to mix everything well. Taste to see if more salt or other seasoning is needed.

  • Leave to rest for 1 minute to let the sauce thicken slightly.

    Serve with a dollop of creamy vegan yogurt on top and enjoy.

Notes

Red wine substitute for sauce (if you prefer a non-alcohol option)

To create a sauce that closely mimics red wine you will need:

  • add vegetable stock
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • and 3 tablespoons red jam (preferably wild berry jam)

Related

The Best Easy Vegan Goulash Recipe - Munchyesta (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between Hungarian goulash and American goulash? ›

Hungarian Goulash is a thick meat and vegetable stew with a broth that's heavily seasoned with paprika, while American Goulash is a quick dish made from ground beef, tomato sauce, herbs, and elbow macaroni noodles. It also goes by the name of American Chop Suey.

What is goulash sauce made of? ›

How do you make goulash? Its really simple! Start by cooking the onion and browning the beef. Then you add the beef broth, tomatoes, tomato sauce, Worcestershire, and seasonings to the pot and let it all simmer before you toss in the pasta. Once the pasta is cooked, fold in the cheese, and it's ready to serve.

What is true goulash made of? ›

The classic “kettle goulash” is prepared by frying cubes of beef or mutton with onions in lard. Garlic, caraway seeds, tomatoes, green peppers, and potatoes complete the stew. Székely gulyás, another Hungarian specialty, is a stew of pork and sauerkraut flavoured with tomatoes, onions, caraway seeds, and sour cream.

What is the difference between Czech and Hungarian goulash? ›

Czech goulash is a rich gravy full of cubes of beef stew kind meat and flavorful herbs like caraway, bay leaf, sweet paprika powder and marjoram. Compared to Hungarian goulash, often Hungarian recipes calls for vegetables, such as carrots and green or red bell pepper.

Why do people put sugar in goulash? ›

The secret to this recipe is adding a little sugar. It's an important step because it mellows the acidity of the tomatoes. It's a super simple recipe to pull together, and it basically just cooks itself.

What is German goulash made of? ›

This German Goulash is what the Swabians in Germany call “Hungarian Goulash”. Ha! A juicy and tender beef stew made with paprika, peppers, and a red wine sauce. Originally goulash (gulyás) is from Hungary but over the centuries this traditional stew obviously traveled into different cuisines, including German cuisine.

What is ASA goulash? ›

Asa Goulash is deep fried fish served in a spicy sauce. with tomato, onions and other vegetables and usually. eaten with injera.

What is Polish goulash made of? ›

Tender pork seared and then stewed with mushrooms and red bell peppers in a flavorful sauce — this Polish goulash is the comfort food of dreams. Serve your goulash over potato pancakes, a heaping bowl of mashed potatoes or buckwheat kasha!

Can you buy goulash sauce? ›

Gordon's Glorious Goulash Gourmet Sauce with smoked paprika and red pepper, slow cook for a deep and desirable flavour sensation. It's Gordon hassle free way to a delicious meal time treat.

What do you serve with goulash? ›

Serve up a hearty goulash for the ultimate comforting stew on winter nights. Searching for the perfect accompaniment? Try mashed potato, dumplings or your favourite veg.

What is American goulash made of? ›

This hardy American Goulash Recipe is one of my kids' favorites. It is a classic dish from our childhoods similar to Hamburger Helper, with ground beef and elbow macaroni cooked in a savory tomato sauce and topped with cheese. It's so easy to make this comforting one-pot meal.

What is a substitute for tomato paste in goulash? ›

Tomato purée (boiled and strained tomatoes) works well as a tomato paste alternative. Since purée is much thinner than paste, you'll get the best results if you cook it over medium heat for about 10 minutes before adding it to your recipe — this will give you a slightly thicker consistency and more intense flavor.

What is the difference between goulash and goulash? ›

There are two kinds of goulash: Hungarian goulash, which calls for the slow-simmered beef to be served alongside egg noodles, and American goulash, which pulls in ground beef and cooks the noodles in the pot alongside the sauce.

What makes goulash unique? ›

A new spice appeared in Hungary in the 18th century that soon became the defining feature of goulash: the paprika. Christopher Columbus brought the chili peppers — locally known as paprika — to Europe from the Americas, but it took a while for it to spread across the continent.

What does Hungarian goulash taste like? ›

Hungarian goulash is very similar to beef stew, but there are some differences. While a typical stew consists of slow braising chunks of meat with root vegetables in a seasoned broth, goulash uses spices such as caraway, cumin, paprika, and peppers which really enhance and alter the flavor from a classic beef stew.

What is the national dish of Hungary? ›

Hungary's national dish

Gulyás, known to English speakers as goulash, is a spicy meat stew containing lots of paprika pepper. Originally, it was eaten by the country's cattle herders and stockmen.

What does goulash mean in Hungarian? ›

The Hungarian word for this delicious dish is gulyáshús, from gulyás, "herdsman," and hús, "meat." Historically, goulash was a stew cooked by shepherds using lamb or beef. The paprika came later, but today it's a vital part of an authentic goulash.

What is another name for American goulash? ›

American Goulash has many names, depending on the region you're from – Slumgullion, American Chop Suey, Johnny Marzetti, and even Beefaroni.

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