Recipe: Venison North American Goulash

by
posted on May 8, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
recipe-venison-north-american-goulash_lead.jpg

Is it soup, stew, casserole or just simple comfort food? There is often confusion around goulash. European and North American recipes are not even close to being the same dish. The European goulash includes stewing meat, onions and lots of paprika and is Hungary's national dish. The North American version, for most of us, is like the original Hamburger Helper.

North American goulash is easy to make, a fabulous way to use ground venison and is a quick fix for lunch, dinner or hunting camp. The ingredients can be altered for preferences and palates around the table. I love adding diced jalapeno, and some like to include sugar to make the dish sweet.

Peas or corn can also be added, which increases the confusion of whether the dish is a soup, stew or casserole. Hungarian goulash is typically considered a stew. However, the North American goulash is best described as a one-skillet dinner or casserole. 

Ingredients
• 2 Tbsp olive Oil
• 2 lbs. ground venison
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 - 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes with juice
• 1 - 15 oz. can tomato sauce
• 1- 10.5 oz. can Rotel
• 1 - 6 oz. can tomato paste
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Tbsp seasoned salt (Bearded Butcher Original or Cajun work great)
• 1 Tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp basil
• 1 tsp cumin
• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 2 cups frozen peas or corn (optional)
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, grated

Directions
1. Heat a Camp Chef Dutch oven or stockpot on med-high heat. Add the oil and the ground venison. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. As the meat starts to brown, add the diced onion, garlic, and bay leaves. Cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Add the broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Rotel, tomato paste, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and spices. Stir well.

3. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Stir in the macaroni noodles (uncooked), cover, cook for 20-25 minutes, or wait until the pasta is almost tender. Add the frozen vegetables and cook 5 minutes. Add the grated cheese and stir until melted.

5. Remove and discard bay leaves, and serve hot.

For more delicious wild-game recipes, click here. 

Latest

001 TRCR26 W Cover 01 (1)
001 TRCR26 W Cover 01 (1)

Range Review: Tippmann Arms M4-22 RCR-26 .22 LR Rifle

This lightweight, competition-grade semi-automatic from Tippmann is an ideal all-around sporting rimfire.

New for 2026: Woox Elegante Stocks

The Elegante is Woox's first purpose-built bolt-action platform for both sport shooters and hunters who build or upgrade their rifle to keep and pass on for generations. While most manufacturers put chassis systems inside synthetic or mass-produced wood stocks, Woox utilizes a single hand-selected piece of hand-oiled Claro American Walnut on the outside with an aerospace-grade aluminum mini-chassis on the inside.

Recall: Stop Use Order for CVA Paramount Series Muzzleloaders

CVA is issuing a safety recall for all Paramount, Paramount HTR, Paramount Pro, and Paramount Pro V2 muzzleloading rifles. This recall pertains.

An Ode to the Double Rifle

There are few who appreciate double rifles more deeply than our regular contributor, Phil Massaro. From the guns' storied history, to their heft and utility, the double rifle has fascinated Phil for a lifetime, and he has carried them in pursuit of game at home and abroad. Read on for his tribute to the classic design.

New for 2026: Spartan Precision Equipment Valhalla Gen 2 Bipod

Spartan Precision Equipment has announced the Valhalla Gen 2 Bipod, a shooting support system engineered for exceptional stability, rapid deployment, and lightweight performance for hunters and long-range precision shooters.

D.C. Legislators Who Understand Hunting and Shooting’s Role in Conservation

Yes Virginia, there are members of U.S. Congress and the Senate who hunt, fish or participate in the shooting sports despite their Beltway jobs.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.