Austro-Hungarian Sauerkraut Goulash Recipe Transports Diners

Pork, paprika, and sauerkraut simmer into a bright, hearty goulash with a silky, clinging sauce.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Food writer Daniel Gritzer shares his recipe for Szegediner Gulasch, an Austro-Hungarian pork and sauerkraut goulash that he discovered on a recent trip to Vienna. The dish features tender pork shoulder, smoky bacon, and tangy sauerkraut simmered in a paprika-infused sauce that is finished with a touch of sour cream.

Why it matters

Szegediner Gulasch is considered a classic Viennese and Austrian dish, but it actually originates from Hungary, the birthplace of all goulash. This recipe highlights the interplay of fatty pork, salty-sour sauerkraut, and a lightly creamy paprika-stained sauce - a flavor combination that speaks to those with Austro-German roots, as well as newcomers to the dish.

The details

Gritzer's version of Szegediner Gulasch starts with rendering smoky bacon, which provides the fat for searing the pork shoulder in large steaks. This searing process develops deep, rich flavors while keeping the meat tender when cubed and braised in the stew. The sauerkraut is added midway through the 1.5-2 hour cooking time, allowing it to become silky and tender while retaining some body. Finally, a small amount of flour is stirred into sour cream to thicken the stew in the last minutes of cooking, creating a rich, clinging sauce.

  • Gritzer discovered Szegediner Gulasch during a press trip to Vienna in the fall.
  • The dish takes 1.5-2 hours to fully cook, with the sauerkraut added halfway through the simmering process.

The players

Daniel Gritzer

A food writer who recently visited Vienna and discovered the classic Austro-Hungarian dish of Szegediner Gulasch.

Gulasch & Soehne

A restaurant in Vienna that served Gritzer a tasting trio of different goulash dishes, including the szegediner gulasch that inspired this recipe.

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What they’re saying

“If you grew up eating pork and kraut, as I did, thanks to my father's Austro-German roots, this is a combo that just speaks to you. If you didn't grow up with that, it will probably still speak to you.”

— Daniel Gritzer (seriouseats.com)

The takeaway

This recipe for Szegediner Gulasch, an Austro-Hungarian pork and sauerkraut goulash, provides a hearty and flavorful dish that connects to traditional Viennese and Austrian cuisine while also appealing to a wider audience through its comforting blend of tender pork, tangy sauerkraut, and a rich, paprika-infused sauce.