Ahh, classic comfort food 🇭🇺❤️
Here’s a traditional Hungarian Töltött Paprika—soft peppers, savory filling, and that slightly sweet tomato sauce that ties it all together.
Hungarian Stuffed Peppers (Töltött Paprika)
Ingredients
Peppers & Filling
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6–8 Hungarian wax peppers or bell peppers
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1 lb (450 g) ground meat (pork is traditional; beef or mix works)
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½ cup uncooked white rice, rinsed
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1 small onion, very finely chopped
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1 clove garlic, minced
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1 tsp sweet Hungarian paprika
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1 tsp salt
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½ tsp black pepper
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1 egg
Tomato Sauce
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2 tbsp oil or lard
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2 tbsp flour
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1 tbsp sweet Hungarian paprika
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2 cups tomato purée or crushed tomatoes
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1–2 cups water or broth
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1–2 tbsp sugar (important for that classic sweet-savory balance)
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Salt to taste
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Optional: bay leaf
Instructions
1. Prepare the Peppers
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Cut off the tops of the peppers and remove seeds and membranes.
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Rinse and set aside.
2. Make the Filling
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In a bowl, mix ground meat, rice, onion, garlic, paprika, salt, pepper, and egg.
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Mix gently—don’t overwork.
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Stuff peppers loosely (rice expands!).
3. Make the Tomato Sauce
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In a wide pot, heat oil or lard over medium heat.
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Stir in flour and cook 1–2 minutes until lightly golden.
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Remove from heat, add paprika (don’t burn it!).
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Stir in tomato purée and water/broth until smooth.
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Add sugar, salt, and bay leaf. Bring to a gentle simmer.
4. Cook the Peppers
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Carefully place stuffed peppers into the sauce (standing or lying down is fine).
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Add extra water if needed—the peppers should be mostly submerged.
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Cover and simmer gently for 60–70 minutes, turning peppers once or twice.
5. Finish
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Taste sauce and adjust salt/sugar.
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Remove bay leaf before serving.
How Hungarians Serve It
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With boiled potatoes or fresh white bread
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Sometimes with extra tomato sauce ladled on top
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Leftovers taste even better the next day 😌
Traditional Tips
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The sauce should be noticeably sweet, not acidic.
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No herbs like basil or oregano—this is old-school Hungarian.
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If peppers tear, don’t panic—the sauce forgives all sins.
If you want:
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a grandma-style version with meatballs,
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a modern lighter take, or
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tips to make it ahead or freezer-friendly,