🇭🇺 Hungarian Lecsó – Traditional Pepper and Tomato Stew

Hungarian Lecsó is a classic Hungarian vegetable stew made with sweet peppers, ripe tomatoes, onions, and plenty of paprika. Simple, rustic, and full of flavor, this comforting dish is one of the best examples of how Hungarian cooking can transform a few everyday ingredients into a delicious meal.

The peppers become tender and sweet as they simmer with the tomatoes and onions, while Hungarian paprika gives the stew its distinctive warm, savory character. Lecsó can be enjoyed on its own with fresh bread or served as a side dish with sausage, eggs, or meat.

Ingredients

For the Lecsó

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or lard
• 2 large onions, thinly sliced
• 4–5 Hungarian wax peppers or sweet yellow peppers, sliced
• 3–4 ripe tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tablespoon Hungarian sweet paprika
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon sugar, optional
• ½ cup water, if needed

Optional Additions

• 8 oz (225 g) Hungarian smoked sausage, sliced
• 2–3 eggs
• 1 small zucchini
• Hot paprika or chili pepper, to taste