Hearty Vegan Goulash Recipe

Vegan goulash, made with potatoes, vegetables and TVP! A wholesome vegan version of the traditional Hungarian dish, this easy recipe requires just one pot but does not miss out on any flavor. Savoury, smoky and rich, it's great for a weeknight meal. 

I just can't get enough of comfort food nowadays. I'm sure a lot of you can relate. It's cold, dark and extra rainy outside. My answer to make myself feel better? Either go to to the gym or prepare some delicious food - oftentimes, one follows the other. Bonus points if the food I make can appeal to the meat eaters in my family as well as my very vegan self.

That's where this vegan goulash recipe comes in. It's a fail-proof meal that will satisfy all of your comfort food cravings every time and turn out a total crowd pleaser! Vegans and non-vegans alike will love this dish, so be sure to make enough to go back for seconds!

Hearty vegan goulash

Traditional goulash is a Hungarian dish, made with meat and different vegetables. It's famous for being super flavourful and smoky, with a good amount of spice due to the addition of plenty of paprika.

Growing up in Russia, where goulash is also really popular, I used to eat this dish all the time: both at home, and when my family went out to restaurants. So, I decided to make a vegan and healthy version to create nostalgia compatible with my current dietary requirements.

The result? A resounding success. My mum and step-dad, who are both quite fussy, loved it, and its currently on our dinner rotation at least once a week. That's fab because it means no feeling isolated at dinner time for me!

Imagine this: a thick, chunky texture, enriched with hearty and starchy potatoes and a lot of vegetable flavours coming together to create something magical. There's also smokiness coming from paprika and just the right amount of spice. In other words, you'll want this as a weeknight dinner every day!

Goulash made with TVP

This vegan goulash uses TVP, or textured vegetable protein, as a meat replacement. This is a soy product which is neutral in flavour on its own but resembles the texture of meat when you soak and cook it.

You can also use other typical meat replacements such as tofu or crumbled tempeh, but TVP is the most 'realistic' option. It is also healthy, being naturally low in fat and high in protein. Another option is adding beans, chickpeas or lentils, which also work really well for texture and flavour.

How to make plant based Hungarian goulash

Cover the TVP in lukewarm water and leave to soak for around 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, start by adding onion, garlic, celery and onion powder to a non-stick saucepan with around 2 tbsp water. Sauté for around 3 minutes, until beginning to soften.

Add fresh tomatoes, bell pepper and paprika to the saucepan. Sauté for a further 2-3 minutes.

Add potatoes, chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, vegetable broth and plant based milk. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for around 10 minutes, until the potatoes begin to soften.

Stir in the TVP and mustard. Simmer for a further 10 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding more liquid if it starts to get dry.

Add the spinach and stir them through the goulash until they wilt. Season to taste with salt and serve with rice or noodles.

Tips for delicious vegan goulash

1. If you can, use Hungarian paprika. I know it's harder to get hold of, but achieves the best result.
2. Don't add too much liquid in order to achieve the best thick and hearty texture.
3. I find that using oat milk achieves the best result because it has the richest flavor, but any plant based milk of your choice will work.

Storing and freezing instructions

This dish lasts for around 3 days in the fridge in an airtight container. In fact, it can taste even better the next day, because that gives the flavors plenty of time to develop!

Vegan goulash is also freezer-friendly. Store it in freezer bags for up to 2-3 months, allowing to thaw fully in the fridge before heating up on the stove or in the microwave. You may need to add more liquid if it's too thick.

Other vegan one pot dinners

• Mushroom tofu stir-fry
• Peanut chickpea curry
• Chunky potato soup
• Easy potato curry
• One pot chickpea pasta

Let me know in the comments: what do you typically eat when you're craving comfort food? If you give this vegan goulash recipe a go, be sure to tag me on Instagram (@ohmyveggies) so I can see your creations, and leave your feedback in the comments below.

Recipe