Hungarian Style Goulash Hot Dog Sauce
Elevate your classic hot dog experience with this Hungarian Style Goulash Hot Dog Sauce, which brings a delightful twist to an American favorite. Using rich, sweet paprika as the primary seasoning, this sauce is reminiscent of traditional Hungarian goulash, offering deep flavors from the carefully balanced spices and fresh ingredients. The sauce benefits from a resting period in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to deepen and meld beautifully. When served over steaming hot dogs, topped with succulent chopped Vidalia onions and a dollop of creamy sour cream, this dish transforms into a mouthwatering one-dish meal that's perfect for gatherings or family dinners.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Lean ground beef
2 lbs (browned and drained)
Vidalia onion
1 large (finely chopped)
Garlic cloves
4 (finely chopped)
Hot Hungarian pepper
1 (finely chopped)
Marjoram
1/2 teaspoon (dried)
Thyme
1/2 teaspoon (dried)
Tomato puree
15 ounces (canned)
Sweet paprika
2 tablespoons (ground)
White wine vinegar
2 tablespoons (liquid)
Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon (liquid)
Prepared mustard
1 teaspoon (condiment)
Water
up to 8 oz (to thin sauce)
Salt
to taste
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, sauté the lean ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks until it's uniformly browned. Drain any excess grease and set aside.
2
In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and sauté the finely chopped Vidalia onion, garlic, and hot Hungarian pepper until the onion is translucent and the mixture is fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
3
Return the browned ground beef to the skillet. Add the marjoram and thyme, stirring well to combine all ingredients evenly.
4
Gradually incorporate the tomato puree into the beef mixture, mixing thoroughly. Follow with the sweet paprika, stirring until the sauce is well blended.
5
Add the white wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and prepared mustard. Stir to combine.
6
Adjust the consistency of the sauce to your liking by adding up to 8 ounces of water, stirring until smooth.
7
Cover the skillet and let the sauce simmer on low heat for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Once done, allow the sauce to cool down and season generously with salt to taste.
8
For additional heat, consider adding a few dashes of Tabasco or your favorite hot sauce; then reheat the sauce for about 30 minutes on low heat.
9
Serve the flavorful sauce generously over hot dogs on buns. For a classic touch, garnish with fresh chopped Vidalia onions and a spoonful of sour cream.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hungarian Style Goulash Hot Dog Sauce?
It is a flavorful twist on a classic American hot dog topping that incorporates traditional Hungarian goulash flavors like sweet paprika, marjoram, and thyme.
What kind of meat is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 lbs of lean ground beef, which is browned and drained before being mixed with the sauce ingredients.
How much paprika is required?
The recipe requires 2 tablespoons of sweet ground paprika, which serves as the primary seasoning for the deep goulash flavor.
How long should the sauce simmer?
The sauce should be covered and simmered on low heat for approximately 2 hours to allow the flavors to fully develop.
What type of onion is recommended?
Vidalia onions are recommended both for the sauce base and as a fresh garnish due to their sweet flavor profile.
Is this sauce spicy?
The recipe includes one finely chopped hot Hungarian pepper and offers the option to add Tabasco or hot sauce for additional heat.
What is the base of the sauce liquid?
The sauce base consists of 15 ounces of canned tomato puree, supplemented with up to 8 ounces of water to reach your desired consistency.
Can I adjust the thickness of the goulash sauce?
Yes, you can adjust the consistency by gradually adding up to 8 ounces of water and stirring until it reaches your preferred smoothness.
How should I serve this sauce?
Serve it generously over hot dogs on buns, topped with fresh chopped Vidalia onions and a spoonful of sour cream.
Why is a resting period recommended?
Allowing the sauce to rest in the refrigerator enables the various spices and ingredients to deepen and meld together beautifully.
How much garlic does the recipe use?
The recipe calls for 4 finely chopped garlic cloves to provide a fragrant and savory depth to the sauce.
What herbs are included in the seasoning?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon each of dried marjoram and dried thyme.
Does the recipe contain vinegar?
Yes, 2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar are added to provide a subtle tanginess that balances the rich paprika.
Are there any condiments added directly to the sauce?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce and 1 teaspoon of prepared mustard are mixed into the beef and tomato base.
When should salt be added?
Salt should be added generously to taste after the sauce has finished simmering and has had a chance to cool down.
Should I drain the meat after browning?
Yes, it is important to drain any excess grease after browning the lean ground beef to ensure the sauce isn't too oily.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 13 main ingredients including the beef, aromatics, spices, and liquid components.
Can I add hot sauce to this recipe?
Yes, for extra spice, you can add a few dashes of Tabasco or your favorite hot sauce and then reheat for 30 minutes on low.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to saute the lean ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until uniformly browned.
How should the onions and garlic be prepared?
Both the Vidalia onion and the garlic cloves should be finely chopped before being sauteed.
Is the skillet covered while simmering?
Yes, you should cover the skillet while the sauce simmers on low heat for two hours.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include hot dog sauce, hungarian cuisine, goulash, one dish meal, family friendly, and comfort food.
Can I use regular paprika instead of sweet paprika?
The recipe specifically calls for sweet paprika to achieve the authentic Hungarian goulash flavor profile.
What is the purpose of the Hungarian pepper?
The hot Hungarian pepper adds a specific regional heat and flavor characteristic of traditional goulash dishes.
How long do you saute the aromatics?
The onion, garlic, and pepper should be sauteed for about 5-7 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
Can this be considered a one-dish meal?
Yes, when served over hot dogs with toppings, it transforms into a substantial one-dish meal perfect for dinners.
What is the preparation for the tomato puree?
The recipe uses 15 ounces of canned tomato puree which is stirred into the beef mixture.
Is the mustard used as a topping or in the sauce?
The prepared mustard is mixed directly into the sauce along with the vinegar and Worcestershire sauce.
What heat level is used for the long simmer?
The sauce should be kept on low heat during the two-hour simmering process.
Is the hot Hungarian pepper dried or fresh?
The instructions imply using a fresh pepper as it is finely chopped and sauteed with the onions and garlic.