Alright, folks. Buckle up, because we’re diving into the world of comfort food that saves dinner on those “what’s even left in the fridge” nights. Enter: Easy Instant Pot Goulash. It’s like a warm blanket for your soul–minus the lint. Goulash is a mish-mash of goodness that fills the kitchen with its homey scent. If you’re all about meals that feel like a hug, you’re gonna want to try this one out.

Now, let me tell you about my little family and this goulash situation. My husband, Jim, has this way of walking into the kitchen just as the goulash has hit its peak—a perfect balance of flavors and cozy vibes. It’s like he’s got some sixth sense where goulash is involved. This dish has wormed its way into our family’s heart—and it’s not just for Sunday dinners. I’m talkin’ regular Tuesday evenings when you want something tasty, fast, and not requiring a degree from a culinary school.

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Why You’ll Love This Easy Instant Pot Goulash

– It’s like a warm hug in a bowl. Who doesn’t need one of those?
– Faster than you can say “what’s for dinner?” – Instant Pot for the win!
– Taste so good, the leftovers rarely make it to the fridge. Oops.

How to Make It

Okay, here goes. Get that Instant Pot out and switch it to sauté mode, for starters. Toss in some ground meat, might be beef, or turkey works if you’re feeling a bit lighter. Brown it up like you mean it. Just don’t wander off, keep stirrin’ so it cooks nice and even. Speaking from experience, whole side is no pretty sight burned. Once you’ve browned it up, drain any extra fat. Toss in chopped onions—oh man, that smell, right? Go ahead and saute those until they’re soft and awesomely translucent. Add minced garlic, and keep the heart happy. Then the canned stuff: tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth all go in like guests at a potluck who didn’t know what to bring. Season it up, and give it a loving stir. Lock that pot, set it to high pressure for just about eight nerve-wracking minutes. And pow, you’re done! Let that pressure drop by itself because that’s part of the secret magic. Open it up, stir again, and there you have it—goulash heaven.

Ingredient Notes

– Ground Meat: It’s the heart of this dish. Go beef, go turkey, go whatever. Just don’t forget to brown it with love.
– Onions: These guys are your tearful besties. Don’t skip ’em or you’ll miss out on that good base flavor.
– Diced Tomatoes: Once I used crushed tomatoes ‘cause that’s all I had. “Tomato-tomah-to”, right?

Recipe Steps:
1. Brown the ground meat in the Instant Pot on sauté mode.
2. Drain the fat and add chopped onions. Sauté until soft.
3. Add minced garlic and stir for a minute.
4. Stir in canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth.
5. Season the mixture, lock the pot, and cook under high pressure for 8 minutes.
6. Let the pressure release naturally, then give it a final stir and serve.

What to Serve It With

Tips & Mistakes

Storage Tips

Any leftover goulash? Pop it in a container and store it in the fridge. It’s super chill about waiting around till lunch or dinner another day. Often tastes better—one of those dishes that get all Isabella Rossellini on you, aging nicely. Eating it cold straight from the fridge? I ain’t judging.

Variations and Substitutions

So, you’re out of something? Not the end of the world. Use turkey instead of beef if you want something leaner. No beef broth? Chicken broth has your back. And let’s not forget about skipping onions; once in a blue moon, I’ve even tried a dash of Worcestershire. If it doesn’t turn out, blame the spice gods. Everyone’s tastes are a little different, right?

Frequently Asked Questions

I can’t have gluten… will this still work?

Totally. Just switch the soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos. I’ve done it more times than I can count. Still tastes bomb.

Do I have to peel the pineapple first? Asking for a friend.

Yeah… definitely peel it. Unless you’re into chewing bark. It’s not fun, trust me.

Can I use canned pineapple instead of fresh?

Been there, done that. Just drain it like your life depends on it. Still good, just not *as* wow.

How sweet is this? Can I tone it down a bit?

You totally can. Cut the sugar a little or swap in honey or maple syrup. I’ve done both when I ran out of brown sugar.

What if I skip the sesame oil?

Honestly? It’s fine. You’ll lose that toasted vibe, but it’s not a dealbreaker. Still delicious.

Remember it later

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