Hungarian Beef

3 servings

90 minutes

Hungarian beef is a fragrant and rich dish of Hungarian cuisine where simple ingredients turn into true culinary delight. Beef marinated in lemon juice gains tenderness and a light citrus note, while sautéed onions and garlic add depth of flavor. The main charm of the dish lies in slow braising with cumin, red pepper, and sour cream, creating a thick, rich sauce with a delicate texture. This recipe embodies traditional Hungarian culinary techniques: vibrant spices, deep aroma, and rich flavor nuances. Hungarian beef pairs perfectly with sides like mashed potatoes or fresh bread, adding warmth and comfort to the meal. This dish will adorn any family dinner by bringing a piece of Hungarian gastronomic culture.

Energy value per serving

• Calories: 522.4
• Proteins: 37.4g
• Fats: 22.6g
• Carbohydrates: 43.9g

Ingredients

• Beef: 500 g
• Lemon: 1 pc
• Onion: 1 pc
• Garlic: 1 clove
• Wheat flour: 1 glass
• Caraway: pinch
• Ground red pepper: pinch
• Salt: to taste
• Sour cream: 1 tbsp
• Fresh pepper: to taste
• Vegetable oil: to taste

Cooking steps

1. Add boiling water to the pan so that the water level is slightly below the level of the meat. Cover the pan with a lid and simmer until the meat is fully cooked. During the simmering process, occasionally lift the lid and add hot water if necessary. Usually, it takes about 30-40 minutes for the meat to be fully cooked.

   Required ingredients:

   • Beef: 500 g

2. When the meat is ready, add red pepper and sour cream diluted with hot water to a very liquid state to the pan.

   Required ingredients:

   • Ground red pepper:  pinch
   • Sour cream: 1 tablespoon

3. Cover the pan with a lid and simmer the meat with sour cream for about 5-10 minutes.

4. Cut the beef like for schnitzels. The thickness of the piece should be about 1 cm.

5. Pound the sliced beef with a meat mallet.

6. Add lemon juice to the beef, mix to coat all pieces of meat, and let it marinate for 30 minutes.

   Required ingredients:

   • Lemon: 1 piece

7. Salt, pepper the marinated meat, and coat it in flour.

   Required ingredients:

   • Salt:  to taste
   • Ground red pepper:  pinch
   • Wheat flour: 1 glass

8. Fry the meat in well-heated oil. Fry on both sides until crispy.

   Required ingredients:

   • Vegetable oil:  to taste

9. Sear the meat in batches so that the pieces are laid out separately while cooking.

10. Transfer the fried meat to a separate plate. In the same pan, fry the chopped onion until translucent.

    Required ingredients:

    • Onion: 1 piece

11. Add finely chopped garlic to the onion and sauté everything together for about 1 minute.

    Required ingredients:

    • Garlic: 1 clove

12. Place the previously fried meat in the pan, add cumin, and lightly salt.

    Required ingredients:

    • Caraway:  pinch
    • Salt:  to taste