Vegan Goulash

Name: Vegan Goulash
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 White Onions (diced ); 3 cloves Garlic (minced ); 28 ounces Organic Tomato Sauce; 14.5 ounces Organic Fire Roasted Tomatoes; 3 cups Organic Vegetable Broth; 2 cups cooked brown or green lentils (I used Trader Joe's pre-cooked steamed lentils); 1 cup finely chopped Baby Bellas or Other Mushrooms of Choice; 1 Red Pepper (diced); 1 Tablespoon Hungarian paprika; 3 Tablespoons soy sauce (Liquid Aminos, or Tamari); 1 Tablespoon Vegan Worcestershire Sauce; 2 Tablespoons Italian Seasoning; 2 teaspoons Garlic Powder; 2 whole Bay Leaves; 2 1/2 cups uncooked Whole Grain Elbow Macaroni (or Gluten-Free Elbow Macaroni); Chopped Basil, thyme, or chopped parsley

Published: Mar 26, 2023 · Modified: Apr 2, 2023 by Kathy Carmichael · This post may contain affiliate links.

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Vegan goulash is sweet with a slight hint of spice. This one-pot wonder is easy to make, quick and hearty, and clean-up is minimal. This vegan goulash recipe is a keeper! Just wait until you taste it!

Vegan Goulash Recipe in a bowl on a table with parsley garnish.

When I crave comfort food, I think of my grandma's goulash. Traditional Hungarian goulash is full of flavor but loaded with fat. My vegan goulash is a version full of whole food ingredients, but it maintains the essence of grandma's recipe. Of course, my grandma wasn't Hungarian, but my vegan goulash recipe is an Americanized version of how I remember my favorite childhood meal.

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What is Goulash?
Choose Spicy Level
Recipe Ingredients
Recipe Ingredient Substitutions
Recipe Instructions
Serving
Recipe FAQs
Tips
Vegan Recipes the Whole Family Loves!
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What is Goulash?

Many variations of Hungarian goulash share similar flavors, but most recipes contain meat and cheese. Even in Hungary, chefs create their unique ingredients when crafting goulash. So, being somewhat of a chef, I made a particular version of a vegan goulash recipe.

Choose Spicy Level

Even though the sweet, subtly spicy flavors resonate in all goulashes, this vegan goulash recipe begins spicy but is easily adjusted for personal preference. Remember to add spice in small amounts, taste, and add more.

My vegan goulash is a one-pot, minimal-mess, quick recipe perfect for a weeknight dinner. This vegan goulash recipe is so easy; it practically cooks itself.

Recipe Ingredients

Vegan Hungarian Goulash ingredients: elbow macaroni, brown cooked lentils, fire roasted tomatoes, vegan Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, mushrooms, white onions, red bell peppers, vegetable broth, tomato sauce, bay leaves, garlic powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning.

I started with her base ingredients to mimic my grandmother's Hungarian goulash recipe. Then, I deleted the meat, cheeses, and oil, adding vegan, healthy whole foods.

White Onions: White onions have a strong, sharp, and not very sweet flavor and should be used sparingly when raw. When cooked, they take on a mild taste.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic, when cooked with onions, makes the onion more savory and warm.
Red Bell Pepper: Red bell peppers are sweet and vibrant for the goulash, especially when added to the acidity in the tomatoes.
Mushrooms: The mushrooms add a savory umami flavor and a meaty texture.
Cooked Brown Lentils: I used Trader Joe's cooked, brown steamed lentils.
Organic Tomato sauce: A tomato naturally has three flavors: sweetness, acidity, and umami. The trick to a flavorful tomato sauce is to balance or accentuate those three flavors. I buy a sugar-free brand of tomato sauce made only from tomatoes.
Organic Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: Fire-roasted tomatoes are sweeter than fresh, canned, or cooked tomatoes. Being charred by the fire brings out the natural sugars in the fruit and contrasts them perfectly with the smoky flavor from the fire.
Italian Seasoning: Italian seasoning is a blend of herbs present in Italian seasoning, usually consisting of basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram, with other herbs and spices sometimes making an appearance
Hungarian Paprika: Hot paprika is the Hungarian variety of paprika and is generally accepted as superior to the rest. Hungarian cuisine uses Hungarian paprika as a primary flavoring method instead of simply adding color to a dish. Therefore, it is most commonly found in classic dishes like goulash.
Soy Sauce: Soy sauce adds another layer of umami flavor and saltiness.
Vegan Worcestershire Sauce: I used Amy's Vegan Worcestershire Sauce.
Organic Vegetable Broth: I buy organic vegetable broth in bulk at Costco.
Elbow Macaroni: I chose whole-grain elbow macaroni noodles. Although not a staple in traditional goulash, my grandma used elbow macaroni.

Recipe Ingredient Substitutions

Despite my preference for a mushroom/lentil combination, you can also use Beyond Meat Crumbles or another soy alternative like Boca Crumbles.
Also, you can choose gluten-free noodles instead of the whole-grain elbow macaroni in the recipe.
If you choose the gluten-free option, please see the cooking notes in the recipe.
However, depending on the type of selected gluten-free noodles, you may want to add the noodles at the end of the cooking process to avoid overcooking.
Use Tamari or liquid aminos instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free option. Or choose low sodium soy sauce for less sodium content.
Although Adobo chili peppers in the sauce are not Hungarian, it is an excellent substitute for Hungarian paprika. However, if you're Hungarian, don't be offended. It's a substitute, an Americanized version of a traditionally meat-filled dish.
Choose diced tomatoes if you don't have fire-roasted tomatoes.
You can cook your own brown lentils or use canned ones. However, if you choose canned, make sure they are well drained.

Recipe Instructions

Sautéing onion and garlic in a pot on the stove.

Since all the ingredients cook in one pot, begin by sauteeing the onions and garlic in a large pot over medium-high heat.

When the onions are translucent, add the mushrooms and lentils and cook until the mushrooms are brown.

cooking the mushrooms and lentils with the onions and garlic in the pot on the stove

Because the sauces and spices are the magic of this vegan goulash recipe, it's essential to add them early in the cooking process so they develop in the short time the ingredients cook together in the pot.

Although the sauce is tomato-based, the Hungarian paprika, soy sauce, vegan Worcestershire Sauce, Italian seasoning, and garlic create an incredible combination of flavors.

Stirring the vegan goulash ingredients on the stove with a bowl uncooked macaroni next to the pot on the counter.

Now add all the remaining ingredients except for the elbow macaroni. Stir together and bring to a boil.

Once the ingredients in the pot are boiling, add the macaroni noodles to the pot. Stir together, and turn the heat down to simmer, cover, and cook for 20 minutes.

Although the mixture may appear watery initially, everything will absorb together to create an incredible vegan goulash recipe.

Adding the uncooked noodles to the ingredients in pot on the stove.

When the time elapses, remove the pan's cover, and ladle it into bowls.
Though unnecessary, I always add a sprinkle of parsley, thyme, or chopped basil to the top.

Close-up of a bowl of goulash on the table.

Serving

Despite my husband's adverse childhood experiences with Hungarian goulash, I figured I could change his mind.

Fortunately, he ate two helpings, and I watched as he smeared bread around the bottom of the bowl to sop up the last bit of the sauce. He also took the leftovers to work the next day.

And the kids loved it, which is always a bonus! I served each bowl with hard-crusted whole-grain fresh bread I warmed in the oven. The sauce is so delicious; it begs for some bread for dipping. Unless, of course, you want the kids licking their bowls.

Recipe FAQs

What gives goulash its flavor?

Sweet paprika is the ingredient that gives goulash its distinctive warm flavor and reddish color! Since it's such a strong flavor, you must use fresh, good-quality paprika.

Is Goulash Italian or Hungarian?

Goulash (Hungarian: gulyás) is a soup or stew of meat and vegetables seasoned with paprika and other spices. Originating in Hungary, goulash is a typical meal in Central Europe and other parts of Europe. It is one of the national dishes of Hungary and a symbol of the country.

What would you serve with goulash?

I served and made the goulash with noodles. But you can skip the noodles and serve them over rice or mashed potatoes. I also served my vegan Hungarian goulash with a tossed green salad.

Tips

Whenever a recipe calls for spices, add slowly and taste before adding more. Everyone's palate is different, and removing too much sauce once added to a recipe is impossible.
If using gluten-free noodles, I suggest cooking separately and rinsing the noodles. Then, add the noodles to the mixture right before serving.
If you don't like pasta, reduce the vegetable broth in half and serve over vegan mashed potatoes recipe or brown rice.
I used steamed brown lentils from Trader Joe's, but you can use canned b brown lentils, drained well, or make your own brown lentils on the stove. Just make sure they are well drained.
The vegan Hungarian goulash stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Leftovers freeze well for up to 3 months. After that, however, thaw completely before reheating.

Vegan goulash in a bowl on the counter with parsley garnish.

And, vegetarian goulash packs well for lunches and lasts 5 days refrigerated.

Freezing goulash for meal prep in four containers.

Try this tasty vegan Hungarian goulash recipe in one pot in under 30 minutes! And try not to lick the bowl!

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If you love this vegan Hungarian goulash, give us a 5-star rating and comment below. We would love to hear from you!

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Kathy Carmichael

Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂

www.kathysvegankitchen.com/about-me/

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