Slow Cooker Hearty Goulash Soup

​

INGREDIENTS

• 2 Tbs vegetable oil
• 5 Slices Bacon
• 1 lb boneless beef for stew (round, chuck or roast), cut in 1-inch cubes
• 1⁄4 Tsp salt (to taste)
• 1⁄4 Tsp black pepper
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 Tbs sweet Hungarian paprika
• 1 Tsp caraway seed
• 5 small potatoes, peeled & sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
• 2 Carrots, peeled & sliced
• 32oz beef broth
• 1.5 cups water
• 15oz Tomato Sauce
• Sour Cream (optional)

DIRECTIONS

• Fry bacon in large pan, remove, crumble and set aside (but keep bacon fat in pan)
• Add vegetable oil to pan and heat over medium-high
• Add & brown the beef on all sides then transfer to a plate and season with salt and pepper & set aside
• Add more oil to the skillet (if needed) and heat. Add the onion and bell pepper, reduce the heat to medium, and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add the flour, garlic, paprika, and caraway and stir for 1 minute. Remove from heat.
• Place the potato & carrot rounds in the bottom of a 3 1/2-quart slow cooker. 
• Add the beef, bacon and vegetables. 
• Pour in the broth, water and tomato sauce.
• Cover and cook on low for 7 hours
• Spoon into bowls and top with a dollop of sour cream (if desired)