Hungarian Pepper & Tomato Stew (Lecsó)
Ingredients
1 Onion (yellow)
4 Bell peppers or long sweet peppers
4 Tomatoes chopped (or 400g canned tomatoes)
4 Garlic clove
50 g Paprika (smoked) or sweet
Bread
Rice
2 tbsp Olive oil
Salt
Black pepper
1 tsp Sugar (caster) (optional)
Pork sausages (smoked) or Bacon (optional)
Instructions
- Slice the onions & the peppers, mince the garlic and chop the tomatoes.
- Heat oil in a large pan. Sauté onions until soft.
- Add garlic and paprika, stirring for 30 seconds.
- Add bell peppers and cook 5-7 minutes until slightly tender.
- Add tomatoes, salt, pepper, and sugar. Simmer 15-20 minutes, until the vegetables are soft and the sauce thickened.
- Optional: stir in cooked sliced sausage or bacon for a heartier version.
- Serve warm with bread, rice, or as a side to meat.
Notes
FAQs
What is Lecsó?
Lecsó is a traditional Hungarian stew made from peppers, tomatoes, onions, and paprika. It’s a simple, colourful, and flavourful dish that can be served on its own, with bread, rice, or as a side to meat dishes.
Can I make Lecsó vegetarian or vegan?
Yes! Traditional Lecsó can be made without meat. Simply omit any sausage or bacon and use vegetable oil instead of animal fat. It’s naturally vegan and gluten-free.
What type of peppers work best for Lecsó?
Hungarian wax peppers, bell peppers, or any sweet peppers work well. Avoid very hot chillies unless you like spicy stew. Using a mix of red and yellow peppers gives great colour and flavour.
Can I use canned tomatoes instead of fresh?
Yes! Use chopped canned tomatoes if fresh ones are not in season. Drain excess juice slightly to prevent the stew from becoming too watery.
How long should I cook Lecsó?
Simmer gently for 20–30 minutes, until the peppers are tender and the flavours have melded. Avoid overcooking to preserve colour and texture.
Can I freeze Lecsó?
Yes! Allow it to cool, then store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stove.
What spices are traditional in Lecsó?
Sweet Hungarian paprika is the key flavour. Salt, black pepper, and a little garlic or caraway seeds can also be added. Some recipes include smoked paprika for depth.
Can I make Lecsó spicy?
Absolutely! Add chopped hot peppers or a pinch of cayenne pepper to taste. Adjust gradually to suit your heat preference.
How do I serve Lecsó?
Serve hot with fresh bread, rice, or pasta. It can also accompany grilled meats, eggs (as a shakshuka-style breakfast), or sausages for a heartier meal.
Can Lecsó be stored in the fridge?
Yes. Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently to maintain the texture of the vegetables.
This pepper and tomato stew is so easy to make yet so tasty!!! Love it with chorizo and buttered sourdough bread!
Delicious recipe- great for the family. Like that it’s very easy to make and that it can all be done in one pot and made ahead of time. Because I was making for kids, I reduced the paprika to 2 tbsp and was still very flavourful. Made with around 340g smoked sausage for 4 people