Marha Pörkölt (Hungarian Beef Stew with Paprika)
A thick, brick red beef stew built on slow cooked onions and sweet paprika, served with plain boiled potatoes.
- Time2 hr 30
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.38 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Estimated nutrition per serving
- 797kcal
- 52.3gcarbs
- 11.4gof which sugars
- 41.5gfat
- 16.2gsaturates
- 51.1gprotein
- 9.9gfibre
- 1.9gsalt
A rough estimate worked out from the ingredients, for the serving size above. It is a guide only and not medical advice. If you count carbs or manage diabetes, check with your own tools and your care team.
Ingredients
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Method
- 1
Heat the oil in a large heavy pan over a low to medium heat. Add the onions and a pinch of salt and cook gently for 15 minutes, stirring often, until very soft and golden. Do not let them catch.
15 min - 2
Take the pan off the heat. Stir in both paprikas, the garlic and the caraway. Paprika turns bitter if it burns, so never add it to a hot, dry pan.
- 3
Add the beef and the salt. Return to a medium heat and stir for 5 minutes until the meat is coated and no longer pink on the outside.
5 min - 4
Add the tomatoes, green pepper, bay leaf and water. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook very gently for 1 hour 30 minutes, stirring now and then, until the beef is tender and the sauce is thick and glossy. If it gets dry, add a splash of water.
90 min - 5
About 25 minutes before the end, boil the potatoes in salted water for 15 to 20 minutes until tender, then drain.
20 min - 6
Taste and add salt if needed. Serve the pörkölt over or beside the potatoes, with a spoonful of the red sauce over the top.
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
