Tender turkey breast simmered in a rich, creamy sauce with tangy sun-dried tomatoes, sweet carrots, garlic, and smoky paprika. This easy turkey goulash is full of flavor, wonderfully comforting, and perfect for a quick family dinner. Serve it with rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, or crusty bread for a satisfying meal everyone will love.
Why You’ll Love This Turkey Goulash
- Tender and juicy turkey: Turkey breast can sometimes turn out dry, but coating it in seasoned flour and gently simmering it in a creamy sauce helps keep the meat tender and juicy.
- Rich, flavorful sauce: Sun-dried tomatoes and smoked paprika add a delicious depth of flavor, balanced by the creaminess of the sauce and a subtle tangy sweetness.
- Easy and versatile: This creamy turkey stew pairs beautifully with rice, mashed potatoes, buckwheat, pasta, or fresh crusty bread.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | US Measurements | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey breast fillet | 1½ lb | 700 g |
| All-purpose flour | 2 tbsp | 16 g |
| Butter | 2 tbsp | 28 g |
| Vegetable oil | 1 tbsp | 15 ml |
| Onion | 1 large | 1 large |
| Carrot | 1 medium | 1 medium |
| Garlic | 3 cloves | 3 cloves |
| Fresh chili pepper | ½–1 pepper | ½–1 pepper |
| Sun-dried tomatoes | ⅓ cup | 50 g |
| Heavy cream (20–33% fat) | 1¼ cups | 300 ml |
| Hot water or chicken broth | ¾ cup + 1 tbsp | 200 ml |
| Smoked paprika | 1 tbsp | 7 g |
| Dried oregano | 2 tsp | 2 tsp |
| Ground turmeric | 1 tsp | 1 tsp |
| Cayenne pepper | ½ tsp | ½ tsp |
| Ground black pepper | 1 tsp | 1 tsp |
| Salt | To taste | To taste |
| Bay leaves | 2 | 2 |
| Allspice berries | 3 | 3 |
| Fresh parsley or dill | A small bunch | A small bunch |
Instructions
1. Prepare and season the turkey
Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Place the turkey in a large bowl. Add salt, black pepper, oregano, turmeric, and smoked paprika. Sprinkle with the flour and toss until all the pieces are evenly coated.
2. Brown the turkey
Heat the butter and vegetable oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the turkey in a single layer, working in batches if necessary. Cook for about 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally, until lightly golden on the outside. Transfer the turkey to a plate. It does not need to be fully cooked at this stage.
3. Sauté the vegetables
In the same skillet, add the finely diced onion and cook until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and finely chopped chili pepper. Cook for another minute, stirring frequently, until fragrant.
4. Add the carrots and sun-dried tomatoes
Add the diced carrot and sliced sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for approximately 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the bay leaves and allspice berries.
5. Make the creamy sauce
Pour in the hot water or chicken broth, followed by the cream. Stir well, scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
6. Simmer the turkey
Return the browned turkey to the skillet and stir to coat it with the sauce. Cover with a lid, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 15–20 minutes, or until the turkey is cooked through and tender and the sauce has thickened.
7. Serve
Remove the bay leaves and allspice berries. Serve the creamy turkey goulash hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley or dill.
Helpful Tips
- Choosing the cream: For a lighter sauce, use light cream (10–20% fat). For a richer, thicker, restaurant-style sauce, choose heavy cream (30–33% fat).
- Can I use chicken instead? Absolutely! Chicken breast or boneless, skinless chicken thighs work just as well. Adjust the cooking time depending on the size of the pieces.
- What if my sun-dried tomatoes are dry? If you’re using dry-packed tomatoes rather than tomatoes preserved in oil, soak them in boiling water for about 10 minutes. Drain, pat dry, and slice before adding them to the skillet.
- Adjust the heat: Reduce or omit the chili and cayenne pepper for a milder, family-friendly version.
- Don’t overcook the turkey: Simmer gently rather than boiling vigorously. Turkey breast cooks quickly, so check that it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
What to Serve with Creamy Turkey Goulash
This flavorful turkey dish goes well with:
- Steamed white rice or basmati rice.
- Creamy mashed potatoes.
- Pasta, such as tagliatelle or penne.
- Buckwheat or other hearty grains.
- Crusty bread to soak up every bit of the creamy tomato sauce.
Enjoy this comforting, creamy turkey goulash with your favorite side dish!