Paprikash is a traditional Hungarian meal usually made with pork shoulder and lots of full fat sour cream. It's called "paprikash" because of its ample use of the paprika spice, which is frequently used in many Hungarian dishes. The meat is simmered for a long, long time, until it falls apart basically (which makes it a great dish to do in the slow cooker) in a thick sauce.
Because this is Slender Kitchen and we like our meals on the healthier side, I lightened this dish up by swapping the pork shoulder for a much leaner pork tenderloin cut and also swapped out full-fat sour cream for a lower fat version. The rest stays the same.
If you prefer to make a chicken paprikash, this recipe would work just as well using chicken breasts or thighs.
How do you make Pork Paprikash in the Slow Cooker?
When I say this dish is easy, I mean it! This can be completed in 4 easy steps!
First, season your pork with salt and pepper. Second, add the pork to the slow cooker and top with the veggies and herbs. Third, make a sauce with paprika, caraway, Worcestershire sauce, red wine vinegar, chicken broth, and tomato paste and pour over pork. Fourth, cook for 8 hours on low, shred and mix in sour cream.
If this dish doesn't scream delicious, lazy slow cooker dish, I don't know what does.
Side Dish Ideas
If you're thinking cozy and comforting foods, then this Roasted Delicata Squash would make just about the most comforting, delicious, and nutritious side dish.
Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes round out this paprikash recipe quite well and are also a great side to serve if you are doing the low-carb thing.
Saute up a side of Zucchini with Garlic right after you shred your pork and mix in the sour cream.
A side salad works great with just about every meal and is so easy to put together. Any lettuce or green works as a base and top with your favorite veggies. No dressing? Make a simple one by sprinkling (or spraying if you have one) olive oil, a dash of balsamic, salt and pepper over your greens.
What is the difference between goulash and paprikash?
Both super fun words to say, both delicious dishes, but they are not the same dish.
Goulash is another Hungarian dish but it's more of a stew and is made with beef or veal and veggies. It also features paprika as its star spice nowadays, although it wasn't traditionally flavored with that spice until around the 16th century.
Paprikash, as we discussed is a Hungarian dish that looks like goulash but doesn't typically contain vegetables like potatoes, which are heavily featured in a lot of goulash dishes.
What does paprikash taste like?
Slow Cooker Pork Paprikash tastes peppery (thanks to the paprika) and a tad sour (thanks to the sour cream). It smells quite fragrant and has a lovely savory flavor I think you'll enjoy completely.
Have I convinced you to try this delicious dish? Put this on your meal plan for Sunday — I think you'll find this is one comfort food recipe you'll come back to again and again.
Is this a low carb recipe?
If you are on a low carb diet such as Paleo or Keto, I suggest instead of serving this dish over rice or the more traditional egg noodles, that you serve it on a bed of cauliflower rice or spaghetti squash.