Chef John's Beef Goulash

1 . Stage

Gather all ingredients. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

2 . Stage

Season beef with salt and black pepper. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

3 . Stage

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over high heat; cook and stir beef in hot oil in batches until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

4 . Stage

Transfer to a large stockpot and reserve drippings in the skillet. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

5 . Stage

Return skillet to medium heat; stir onions into the reserved drippings, drizzle olive oil over onions, season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook until onion has softened, about 5 minutes. Transfer to the stockpot with beef. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

6 . Stage

Combine paprika, caraway seeds, black pepper, marjoram, thyme, and cayenne pepper in the skillet and toast over medium heat until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

7 . Stage

Add 1 cup chicken broth and stir; transfer to the beef and onion mixture. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

8 . Stage

Stir 3 cups chicken broth into beef mixture. Add tomato paste, garlic, vinegar, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and bay leaf; place stockpot over high heat and bring to a boil. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

9 . Stage

Reduce heat to low and simmer until a fork inserts easily into the meat, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios