• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Vegan Punks
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • About us
  • Work with us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • About us
  • Work with us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Resources
    • About us
    • Work with us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Uncategorized

    Easy Vegan Goulash

    Published: Nov 24, 2021 by Jess & Dan · Modified: Nov 26, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links

    93 shares
    • 77
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Pinterest image of vegan goulash with a title underneath the picture
    Vegan goulash Pinterest image with mashed potato and text at the top of the image

    Goulash is a traditional dish from Hungary. This vegan Goulash takes everything we know about the authentic version but makes it plant-based and super easy to make. Perfect for a comforting winter dinner to cosy up with! Especially when served with mashed potatoes or traditional Hungarian dumplings.

    Top down view of vegan goulash served with mashed potato with paprika powder and another dish of stew to the right
    Jump to:
    • 🌟 Why this recipe works
    • 🍽 Equipment and Products Used
    • 📋 Ingredient Notes
    • 🔪 Step-by-step Instructions
    • 👩‍🍳 Expert Tips
    • 💭 FAQs
    • 🍛 Similar recipes to try
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🌟 Why this recipe works

    • Sweet Paprika – this is the key ingredient. If you don’t have the right quantity then it won’t be the same. A traditional Goulash, and therefore a Vegan Goulash version, needs to have a good helping of sweet paprika. If you can find the Hungarian version, that would be best, otherwise you should buy sweet paprika and failing that, standard paprika powder will do the trick. Just steer clear of smoked paprika.
    • Simmer time – stews and casseroles always need a healthy simmer time. This vegan goulash is no different. In total it will simmer for 60 minutes. This is to make sure the sauce thickens and the flavours develop. Plus, we want the chickpeas to cook until they’re nice and soft.
    • Rich and comforting – there’s nothing better than a rich and comforting stew during autumn and winter. It’s a staple during the winter months in our house. This stew has it all - a rich depth of flavour, a hint of sweetness from the paprika powder and lashings of warming sauce. And if you love stews, you may also like to try this Vegan Stew and Dumplings or this Spicy Stew.
    • Easy dinner for busy midweek evenings – as there is minimal prep needed for this recipe, it’s a case of putting everything into the casserole dish and letting it simmer in the oven! It could even be made in the slow cooker, if you have one. While dinner is cooking, it’s a perfect time to catch up on jobs, some work from home tasks or even your latest Netflix binge (it’s what winter was made for, right?).

    🍽 Equipment and Products Used

    The main product recommendation for a hearty and authentic vegan goulash is Hungarian Sweet Paprika. You can get it online, but we haven’t seen it in many other places. If you don’t have the traditional stuff, use sweet paprika powder or plain paprika powder. A good quality casserole dish wouldn’t go amiss either.

    📋 Ingredient Notes

    Ingredients for vegan goulash laid out in small bowls on a work surface
    • Hungarian Sweet Paprika – as mentioned above, if you can get hold of Hungarian Sweet Paprika, it is highly recommended to create a dish that is authentic. If not, use sweet paprika or plain paprika powder from the supermarket.
    • Chickpeas – a great versatile ingredient that is packed with protein. Make sure they get the full 20 minutes of simmer time, otherwise they may be a little hard. One of my pet peeves! We use chickpeas from a can, but it’s often cheaper to buy them dried and in a larger quantity. If you have dried chickpeas, make sure to soak and boil them before adding to this dish. 
    • Onions & Garlic – the best foundation for so many recipes, it wouldn't be the same without onion and garlic. If you want to save the preparation time, use frozen garlic and onions or lazy garlic from a jar!
    • Vegetable stock – vegetable stock or vegan beef stock work best for this vegan goulash. There are many options for stock on the market these days, including vegan chicken stock. For this recipe, it’s best to use a vegan beef stock or a veggie stock. Beef style is what would traditionally be used, but herby chicken style stock doesn't pair as well with the rich paprika flavour.
    • Red Peppers – usually we would say any colour pepper (or capsicum) is fine, but using red peppers is traditional for Hungarian goulash.

    Check out the recipe card at the bottom of this article for exact measurements.

    🔪 Step-by-step Instructions

    These step-by-step instructions are an overview to go with the pictures. Head to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list, instructions and recipe notes too.

    Onions in a casserole dish with garlic, and then with paprika and tomato puree

    1. Optionally, pop a splash of oil or oil spray in your casserole dish. Then add the chopped onions and pressed garlic.

    2. Once translucent, sprinkle in the paprika powder and then add the tomato puree. Stir well.

    A casserole dish with a tomato sauce and bay leaves in it, and peppers and chickpeas above it

    3. After two minutes pour in the tomatoes and the vegetable stock.

    4. Pop in the bay leaves and the black pepper, stir well. 

    Vegan goulash with red peppers and carrots in a casserole dish, and then the dish simmering with the lid on

    5. Add in the chopped carrots and peppers. Stir well and bring up to a simmer.

    6. Once simmering, pop the lid on the casserole dish and put it in the oven for 40 minutes, on gas mark 4 / 180°C.

    Two casserole dished with stew, one showing chickpeas added on top, and one with them stirred in

    7. Then, it’s time to add the chickpeas. Simmer again for 20 minutes in the oven, to allow the chickpeas to soften beautifully.

    8. Finally, add 1 teaspoon of salt and stir well. Serve with mashed potatoes and crusty bread.

    👩‍🍳 Expert Tips

    • Use sweet paprika or Hungarian paprika! I know we’ve banged on about it in this whole blog post, but it’s the key to creating an authentic style vegan goulash.
    • Don’t scrimp on the simmering time. This is what allows the vegan goulash sauce to thicken in to the beautifully rich and colourful sauce that you’re looking for. There’s no way around it. 
    • Put it in a slow cooker for an even easier cooking experience! We won’t pretend to be experts on slow cookers (we don’t have one) but from what we know about them, stews like this work well cooked in one. We might get one soon though (and then we’ll share loads of slow cooker recipes!)
    • It keeps well in the fridge and the flavour even intensifies when refrigerated for a couple of days. Keeps in the fridge for 3 days.
    • Vegan Goulash freezes well for up to 3 months.

    💭 FAQs

    What is the difference between American goulash and Hungarian goulash?

    From what I can tell, American goulash almost always contains pasta. Hungarian goulash is a deep, rich, red stew that is served with nokedli (a Hungarian type of dumpling that resembles pasta).

    Can I make it ahead of time?

    Yes, it keeps well in the fridge for 3 days but is best eaten fresh.

    Can I freeze it?

    Yes, just make sure to thoroughly defrost before eating. Keeps in the freezer for 3 months.

    Do I really need sweet Hungarian paprika?

    It is advisable to use Hugarian paprika or sweet paprika. Just don’t use smoked paprika! We won’t bang on about it anymore.

    Vegan goulash in a dish with handles with a loaf of bread behind it and butter on a small cutting board

    🍛 Similar recipes to try

    • A bowl with handles full with vegan stew and dumplings, a pot of vegan vegan in the background along with another smaller bowl of stew
      Hearty Vegan Stew and Dumplings
    • Top down view of vegan beef stew with lentils and a dumpling in a dish with handles
      Hearty Vegan Beef Stew [Protein Packed]
    • Square image of veg sausage casserole on a plate with herbs in the background
      Vegan Sausage Casserole [Protein-Packed]
    • TVP shepherd's pie on a plate with a fork
      TVP Shepherd’s Pie In 60 Minutes

    Did you make this recipe? Leave a review and a rating below, or tag us in your photos on Instagram! Alternatively, bookmark it in your browser or save to Pinterest for later.

    If you love our content, please consider supporting it by buying us a coffee.

    📖 Recipe

    Vegan goulash in a bowl served with mashed potatoes and bread

    Easy Vegan Goulash

    This vegan Goulash takes everything we know about the authentic version and makes it plant-based and super easy to follow. Perfect for a comforting winter dinner!
    5 from 1 vote
    Save Saved! Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: Hungarian
    Diet: Vegan
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 198kcal
    Author: Jess & Dan

    Ingredients

    Metric - US Customary
    • 2 onions
    • 5 cloves garlic
    • 2 bay leaves
    • ¼ cup Hungarian sweet paprika – or standard sweet paprika powder
    • 2 tablespoon tomato puree
    • 400 g chopped tomatoes
    • 400 g carrots – chopped
    • 3 red peppers
    • 350 ml vegetable stock
    • 250 g chickpeas – 1 x 400g tin, drained
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon salt

    Instructions

    • Optionally, pop a splash of oil or oil spray in your casserole dish. Then add the chopped onions and pressed garlic.
      2 onions, 5 cloves garlic
    • Once translucent, sprinkle in the paprika powder and then add the tomato puree. Stir well.
      ¼ cup Hungarian sweet paprika, 2 tablespoon tomato puree
    • After two minutes pour in the tomatoes and the vegetable stock.
      400 g chopped tomatoes, 350 ml vegetable stock
    • Pop in the bay leaves and the black pepper, stir well.
      2 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon black pepper
    • Add in the chopped carrots and peppers. Stir well and bring up to a simmer.
      400 g carrots, 3 red peppers
    • Once simmering, pop the lid on the casserole dish and put it in the oven for 40 minutes, on gas mark 4 / 180°C.
    • Then, it’s time to add the chickpeas. Simmer again for 20 minutes in the oven, to allow the chickpeas to soften beautifully.
      250 g chickpeas
    • Finally, add 1 teaspoon of salt and stir well. Serve with mashed potatoes and crusty bread.
      1 teaspoon salt

    Notes

    • We recommend using Hungarian paprika powder or sweet paprika powder, not smoked paprika powder. This is to create an authentic tasting goulash.
    • Red peppers are traditional for Goulash, so we recommend using them.
    • This dish keeps well in the fridge for three days and will keep in the freezer for 3 months.
    • We use one can of chickpeas, drained. If you’re using dried chickpeas, make sure to soak and boil them first, according to packet instructions.
    • The simmering time is important for allowing the sauce to reduce down and cook the chickpeas perfectly. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 198kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1286mg | Potassium: 1078mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 23000IU | Vitamin C: 135mg | Calcium: 131mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this recipe? Tag us today!Mention @vegan_punks or tag #veganpunks!

    More Uncategorized

    • Square image of jackfruit wrap with kidney beans and sweet potato visible.
      Best Ever Jackfruit Wrap
    • Whole Moroccan roast cauliflower covered with spice mix and green cauliflower leaves are scattered around the cauliflower. Cous cous and hummus can be seen in the background.
      Moroccan Roast Cauliflower
    • sweet potato tortilla
      Sweet Potato Tortilla
    • Vegan Frittata
      Frittata
    93 shares
    • 77

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Claire

      November 29, 2021 at 9:30 am

      5 stars
      I made this for dinner last night and it was wonderful. Also goes really well with baked potato. Thanks for this - so simple but so delicious.

      Reply

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Pinterest image of vegan goulash with a title underneath the picture
    Vegan goulash Pinterest image with mashed potato and text at the top of the image
    Jess and Dan wearing sunglasses, sat against a painted brick wall

    Hey there! Thanks for checking out Vegan Punks. We're Dan and Jess – a husband and wife team who love creating and sharing vegan recipes. We draw on our experiences of travelling the world and learning about different cuisines. That's why you'll find plant-based versions of traditional dishes from all around the globe on our blog. And, of course, all with a pinch of punk attitude.

    More about us →


    An image showing all the publications we've been shared in, including: Veganuary, LiveKindly, Vegan Food & Living and Plant Based News, amongst others.

    Never miss a recipe again!

    Subscribe to our newsletter to get our latest recipes and news direct to your inbox.

    Thanks for signing up!

    Keep your eyes peeled for brand new recipes to your inbox very soon.

    In the meantime, why not connect with us on Instagram and Facebook?

    .

    Seasonal Recipes

    • Pumpkin spice syrup in a glass jar.
      The Best Simple Homemade Pumpkin Spice Syrup Recipe
    • Stuffed acorn squash with quinoa, kale and sage.
      Stuffed Air Fryer Acorn Squash with Quinoa
    • Vegan pumpkin soup in a bowl, with oat cream on top and chillies and coriander. Set on top of a blue towel with a lime in the background and spoon to the left.
      Vegan Pumpkin Soup with Thai Red Curry Paste
    • Butternut squash curry in a bowl with bread, lime and coriander.
      13 Best Indian Butternut Squash Recipes (curry + more)
    • A bowl with handles full with vegan stew and dumplings, a pot of vegan vegan in the background along with another smaller bowl of stew
      Hearty Vegan Stew and Dumplings
    • Satay sweet potato curry in a bowl on a tray with condiments around it
      Satay Sweet Potato Curry

    Popular Recipes

    • Battered enoki mushrooms with Gochujang mayo.
      Crispy Fried Enoki Mushrooms with Spicy Dipping Sauce
    • Thai vegetable stir fry on a white oval plate. Broccoli, carrots cabbage and mushrooms and cashews can be seen. Set on a pink background.
      Thai Vegetable Stir Fry in 15 minutes
    • Aubergine curry with cauliflower with spoons, friend Indian snacks and Indian bread.
      Roasted Aubergine and Cauliflower Curry (Easy)
    • Two jars of Biscoff overnight oats topped with yoghurt and a biscuit. With a spoon.
      Easy Biscoff Overnight Oats (4 Ingredients)
    • Vegan egg mayo sandwich cut in half
      Vegan Egg Mayo Sandwich
    • Best Vegan Carbonara

    Footer

    Pinterest image of vegan goulash with a title underneath the picture
    Vegan goulash Pinterest image with mashed potato and text at the top of the image

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Affiliate Disclaimer
    • Terms of Service

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Work With Us

    Vegan Punks is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com.

    Copyright © 2024 Vegan Punks®

    93 shares
    • 77