Comforting Crock Pot Ground Beef Goulash
This hearty and flavorful goulash recipe combines the ease of a slow cooker with the comforting taste of a ground beef dish that the whole family will love. Originally inspired by an international scout food project, this version swaps out traditional stewing beef for ground beef, making it quicker to prepare and more budget-friendly. With savory onions, tangy Worcestershire sauce, and a hint of sweetness from brown sugar, this goulash is perfect over a bed of warm noodles. Set it in the morning and let your crock pot do all the work, resulting in a delicious meal ready by dinner time!
N/A
Servings
333
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground beef
1 lb (browned)
onions
2 medium (chopped)
dry mustard
1 teaspoon (none)
Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons (none)
ketchup
6 tablespoons (none)
cider vinegar
1 teaspoon (none)
hot water
1 cup (none)
brown sugar
2 tablespoons (none)
cool water
1/2 cup (none)
flour
3 tablespoons (none)
noodles
16 ounces (cooked)
Instructions
1
In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess fat and transfer it to the crock pot.
2
In the same skillet, add the chopped onions and sauté for about 5 minutes or until they are tender and translucent.
3
In a mixing bowl, combine Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, cider vinegar, dry mustard, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until well blended.
4
Pour the sauce mixture over the browned beef in the crock pot, adding 1 cup of hot water. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
5
Cover the crock pot with the lid and cook on low for 4 hours.
6
After 4 hours, stir in the brown sugar and continue to cook on low for an additional hour.
7
In a separate bowl, blend the flour with the remaining 1/2 cup of cool water until smooth. Add this mixture to the goulash in the crock pot and stir well.
8
Let it cook for another 10-15 minutes or until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
9
Serve the goulash hot over freshly cooked noodles and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
10
Fat
37
Carbs
20
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of meat is used in this goulash recipe?
This recipe uses 1 lb of ground beef, which is a quicker and more budget-friendly alternative to traditional stewing beef.
How should the ground beef be prepared before adding it to the crock pot?
The ground beef should be browned in a skillet over medium heat and drained of excess fat before being transferred to the crock pot.
How are the onions prepared for this dish?
Two medium onions should be chopped and sautéed in a skillet for about 5 minutes until they are tender and translucent.
What ingredients make up the goulash sauce?
The sauce is made by whisking together Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, cider vinegar, dry mustard, and a pinch of salt.
How much liquid is added to the crock pot initially?
One cup of hot water is added to the crock pot along with the beef and sauce mixture.
What is the recommended cooking setting and initial time for this goulash?
The crock pot should be set to low and cooked for an initial duration of 4 hours.
When should I add the brown sugar to the recipe?
The brown sugar should be stirred in after the first 4 hours of cooking, followed by one additional hour of cooking on low.
How do you thicken the goulash sauce?
The sauce is thickened by blending 3 tablespoons of flour with 1/2 cup of cool water and stirring the mixture into the crock pot.
How long does it take for the sauce to thicken once the flour mixture is added?
It takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes of additional cooking for the sauce to reach the desired consistency.
What should this goulash be served over?
This Comforting Crock Pot Ground Beef Goulash is best served hot over a bed of 16 ounces of freshly cooked noodles.
How many calories are in one serving of this goulash?
There are 333 calories per serving of this ground beef goulash.
What is the protein content of this dish?
This recipe contains 20 grams of protein per serving.
How much fat is in this recipe?
There are 10 grams of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate count for this goulash?
There are 37 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What gives this goulash its sweet flavor component?
The sweetness comes from the addition of 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and the ketchup used in the sauce.
Can I use white vinegar instead of cider vinegar?
While the recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of cider vinegar for a specific tang, white vinegar can be used as a substitute if necessary.
How much Worcestershire sauce is required?
The recipe requires 3 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce.
Is it necessary to use hot water when starting the crock pot?
Yes, adding 1 cup of hot water helps maintain the temperature in the crock pot for even cooking.
How much ketchup is used in the sauce?
Six tablespoons of ketchup are used to provide the base for the savory and tangy sauce.
What is the total number of ingredients needed?
There are 11 total ingredients required for this recipe, including the noodles.
What was the inspiration for this recipe?
This recipe was inspired by an international scout food project, modified to be easier and more affordable.
Can I cook the noodles directly in the slow cooker?
The recipe recommends cooking the noodles separately and serving the goulash over them for the best texture.
How much dry mustard is included?
One teaspoon of dry mustard is included in the sauce mixture.
Is there a specific amount of flour needed for the slurry?
Yes, exactly 3 tablespoons of flour are mixed with water to create the thickening slurry.
What is the total cooking time in the crock pot?
The total cooking time is approximately 5 hours and 15 minutes plus preparation time.
Is this recipe considered comfort food?
Yes, it is tagged as comfort food, a hearty meal, and an easy dinner for the whole family.
What type of noodles are recommended?
While 16 ounces of any noodles can be used, egg noodles or similar pasta work best for soaking up the savory sauce.
Can this be a budget-friendly meal?
Yes, by using ground beef instead of expensive stewing meat, this version is very budget-friendly.
Does this recipe include fiber or sugar data?
The provided nutritional data does not list specific grams for fiber or sugar, though it includes calories, fat, carbs, and protein.
Is salt required in the sauce?
A pinch of salt is recommended when whisking together the sauce ingredients.