🏠 Home > 🗺️ Recipes > 🍝 Main Dishes > 🇦🇹 Austria Main Dishes > 🍝 Wiener Schnitzel , Austrian Beef Goulash , Tafelspitz
🍝 Authentic Austrian Main Dishes to Cook at Home
🏔️ Introduction — Discover the Heart of Austrian Cooking
When people think of Austria, they often imagine breathtaking alpine views, classical music, and elegant cafés serving aromatic coffee. But Austrian cuisine deserves just as much attention — it’s comforting, full of history, and surprisingly easy to cook at home.
In this article, we’ll dive into three of Austria’s most beloved main dishes, each carrying a story of its own:
1.The famous Wiener Schnitzel— crisp, golden, and iconic.
2.The hearty Austrian Beef Goulash — slow-cooked comfort at its finest.
3.The tender Tafelspitz — the emperor’s favorite boiled beef.
Whether you’re a home cook, a food traveler, or just curious about Austrian flavors, these recipes will bring a piece of Austria right into your kitchen. 🇦🇹✨
🥩 Recipe 1 — Wiener Schnitzel — crisp, golden, and iconic.
🍋 About This Recipe
If Austria had a national dish, it would be Wiener Schnitzel. This golden, crispy veal (or pork) cutlet is simple but deeply satisfying. Originating from Vienna, it’s a dish that represents Austrian elegance — thinly pounded meat, coated in breadcrumbs, and fried to perfection.
It’s traditionally served with a lemon wedge, potato salad, or lingonberry jam — a perfect balance of crunchy, tangy, and tender.
🧂 Ingredients & Measurements
- 4 veal or pork cutlets (about 150g each)
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- Salt & pepper to taste
- ½ cup vegetable oil or clarified butter
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1.Gently pound the cutlets until thin and even.
2.Season both sides with salt and pepper.
3.Prepare three bowls — one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs.
4.Dredge the cutlets in flour, dip in egg, and coat evenly with breadcrumbs.
5.Heat oil or clarified butter in a large pan.
6.Fry each cutlet until golden brown (about 2–3 minutes per side).
7.Place on paper towels to drain excess oil and serve hot with lemon wedges.
💡 Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t press the breadcrumbs too hard — you want the coating to puff up while frying.
- Always fry in hot oil; lukewarm oil makes it greasy.
- Use veal for authenticity, but pork works well and is more affordable.
❓ FAQ
Q: Can I bake it instead of frying?
A: You can, but it won’t achieve the same airy crispness — frying gives the best texture.
Q: What side dishes go best with it?
A: Potato salad, cucumber salad, or lingonberry jam are traditional.
Q: Can I prepare it ahead of time?
A: Coat the schnitzel and refrigerate for up to 2 hours before frying.
🍽️ Summary
Crispy, juicy, and irresistibly golden — Wiener Schnitzel captures the soul of Austrian comfort food. It’s a simple dish that proves that great flavor often comes from humble ingredients.
🍲 Recipe 2 — Austrian Beef Goulash — slow-cooked comfort at its finest.
🥕 About This Recipe
Austrian Beef Goulash (or Rindsgulasch) is a stew that warms both the body and the heart. While goulash has Hungarian roots, the Austrian version is thicker, richer, and often flavored with onions, paprika, and a touch of caraway.
It’s a must-try for anyone who loves slow-cooked meals with deep, layered flavors.
🧄 Ingredients & Measurements
- 800g beef chuck, cut into cubes
- 3 large onions, finely chopped
- 3 tbsp paprika powder (sweet)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp oil or lard
- 2 tsp caraway seeds
- 2 cups beef broth
- Salt & pepper to taste
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1.Heat oil in a large pot and sauté onions until golden brown.
2.Add beef cubes and brown on all sides.
3.Stir in paprika, tomato paste, and caraway seeds.
4.Add broth, cover, and simmer on low heat for 2–3 hours.
5.Stir occasionally until the meat becomes tender and the sauce thickens.
💡 Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
- Use plenty of onions — they’re the secret to the rich sauce.
- Avoid using smoked paprika; it changes the authentic flavor.
- Slow cooking is key — rushing makes the meat tough.
❓ FAQ
Q: Can I make this in a slow cooker?
A: Absolutely! Cook on low for about 6–8 hours.
Q: Can I freeze leftovers?
A: Yes, goulash freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.
Q: What do Austrians serve with goulash?
A: Typically with Semmelknödel (bread dumplings) or boiled potatoes.
🍽️ Summary
Rich, hearty, and deeply satisfying — Austrian Goulash is a comfort dish that brings the warmth of the Alps to your table. It’s the kind of meal that tastes even better the next day.
🫕 Recipe 3 — Tafelspitz — the emperor’s favorite boiled beef.
🐄 About This Recipe
Known as the Emperor’s favorite dish, Tafelspitz is Austria’s answer to boiled beef perfection. It’s tender beef simmered in aromatic broth, served with applesauce, horseradish, or creamy spinach.
Elegant yet rustic, it embodies Austrian sophistication and homestyle simplicity at the same time.
🧂 Ingredients & Measurements
- 1.2 kg beef (topside or brisket)
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 1 leek, sliced
- ½ celery root, cubed
- 1 onion (unpeeled, halved)
- 3 liters water or beef broth
- Salt, peppercorns, and bay leaves
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1.Place beef, vegetables, and spices into a large pot.
2.Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
3.Skim off foam from the surface occasionally.
4.Simmer for 2–3 hours, until the beef is fork-tender.
5.Serve slices of beef with broth, apple-horseradish sauce, and spinach.
💡 Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t let the broth boil too hard — gentle simmering keeps the beef tender.
- Leaving the onion skin on gives a beautiful golden color.
- The broth makes an excellent soup base for the next day.
❓ FAQ
Q: What cut of beef is best for Tafelspitz?
A: Brisket or topside — both offer flavor and tenderness.
Q: Can I use chicken broth instead of beef?
A: It’s possible, but beef broth gives the authentic richness.
Q: How do Austrians usually serve it?
A: With boiled potatoes, creamed spinach, and horseradish sauce.
🍽️ Summary
Tafelspitz is more than just boiled beef — it’s Austrian culinary heritage served on a plate. Each spoonful tells a story of tradition, patience, and refined taste.
🍷 Final Thoughts
Cooking Austrian main dishes at home might sound intimidating at first, but once you start, you’ll find they’re surprisingly approachable and incredibly rewarding.
From the crunch of a schnitzel to the rich aroma of goulash and the gentle warmth of tafelspitz, every dish brings you closer to Austria’s soul.
So grab your apron, start with one recipe at a time, and don’t forget to share your creations with friends and family — because, in Austria, food is meant to be enjoyed together. ❤️🇦🇹
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