Harcsapaprikas is a Hungarian fish paprikash, often made with catfish it can be made with any meaty white fish & it is delicious!
Hungarian Fish Paprikash
Let’s face it people do not know a lot about Hungarian food. If you asked even the most dedicated foodies to name 5 top Hungarian dishes I reckon that they would struggle to get beyond 2 or 3.
Naturally, Goulash would be mentioned and you will probably find chicken paprikash mentioned but then you will likely slow down long before you get to the majesty of Langos or Brassói aprópecsenye!
But within those two dishes alone there are hundreds of variants and paprikash does not automatically mean chicken!
Paprikash, in these parts at least, is just as likely to be made with fish as it is with chicken. I even have a pork paprikash recipe.
This is largely due to our proximity to Lake Tisza, the second largest lake in Hungary, and it is packed to the gunnels with catfish and carp.
Fish paprikash in these parts is made with the former, and harcsapaprikas translates as catfish paprikash.
It is a delicious but simple affair of meaty fish cooked gently in a Hungarian paprika and sour cream sauce.
Paprikash is also a simple dish made with sausage and potatoes called paprikas krumpli in homes across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of fish?
Hungary has not had a coastline in a century and as such harcsapaprikas here is always made with freshwater fish.
That does not mean that this dish must be made with catfish. Let’s face it the world is not overrun with catfish recipes because it just ain’t that popular!
If I had a completely free reign then I would choose monkfish tail, it is perfect for this recipe. But long gone are the days when it was affordable so it would be an indulgent substitution.
It is spectacularly good but needs cooking for 4-5 minutes longer than catfish or my other recommendations.
More affordable substitutions are hake, pollock, and haddock.
I have also noticed that Basa has started to make an appearance in some UK stores as varied as Sainsbury and Aldi. It is also known as pangasius and it is a form of catfish and it works really well in this recipe!
Can I use low-fat sour cream?
I would not because it runs the risk of the sauce splitting.
Can I use smoked paprika?
I recommend sweet Hungarian paprika for this recipe, nothing else really tastes the same. But regular paprika will do at a push.
Polish stores are generally a good place to look for Hungarian paprika.
Smoked paprika is “never” really used in Hungary and only started appearing in stores in recent years and even then in the “international” aisle rather than in the wall of paprika that all Hungarian shops have!
Serving Suggestions
Seemingly in these parts, fish paprikash is served with a dish called csusza teszta.
It is a “curd cheese” pasta side dish that features bacon, turo and sour cream. I have to serve this dish with it or my wife will hurt me, she loves the stuff!
Turo is often translated to be many things and it is none of the things it gets translated as.
You can make it at home and Hungary loves the stuff, they even have a chocolate bar stuffed with it. It is a mild cream cheese and you can make turo it at home!
If you want an alternative Hungarian experience, then pair this recipe with some homemade nokedli. A Hungarian noodle or dumpling is a great side for harcsapaprikas.
If you want a store-bought option give some gnocchi a boil and toss it through a little butter and maybe add some bacon.
I personally love this served with some crispy fried potatoes.
I also always add some spicy Hungarian hot wax pepper, it has a similar heat level to Jalapeno peppers.
Equipment Used
I only mention brands of equipment if I think that they make a material difference to a recipe. But if you have any questions feel free to ask them in the comments section below the recipe.
- Stovetop.
- 28cm or 11″ frying pan or skillet.
- Chopping board.
- Kitchen knife.
- Mixing bowls.
- Stirring and serving spoons.
- Weighing scales and or measuring jug, cups and spoons.
Harcsapaprikas, Hungarian Fish Paprikash Recipe
Fish Paprikash or harcsapaprikas is every bit as well known in many parts of Hungary as its chicken based brethren, a wonderfully rich decadent fish dish from Central Europe.
Ingredients
- 350g (12 oz) Boneless White Fish
- 50g (⅓ Cup) Shallot
- 75ml (⅓ Cup) Sour Cream
- 150ml (⅔ Cup) water
- 2 Tbsp Bacon Fat or Butter
- 1 Tomato
- 1 Small Green Pepper
- 1 Tbsp Flour
- 2 Tbsp Sweet Hungarian Paprika
- ½ Tsp Salt
- ¼ Tsp Pepper
Instructions
- Cut the catfish into large 2.5-3cm (1-1¼) chunks.
- Peel and finely dice the shallot.
- Cut the tomato and green pepper into 1cm (½") cubes.
- Mix together the paprika and flour, then season generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat the bacon fat or butter in a 28cm or 11" frying pan over a medium-high heat.
- Coat the fish in the paprika mix and fry for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the fish, leaving the fat in the pan, and place in a bowl for later.
- Add the diced shallot to the pan and cook until translucent.
- Add the diced pepper and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
- Pour in 50ml (3 Tbsp) of water, add the tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add 50ml (3 Tbsp) of water to the remaining paprika and flour, then mix to form a paste and add it to the pan.
- Stir in the fish and cook for 3-5 minutes.
- Mix the sour cream with a final 50ml (3 Tbsp) of water and then pour into the pan and bring to temperature before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 615Total Fat: 39gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 182mgSodium: 495mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 5gSugar: 7gProtein: 47g
Calorific details are provided by a third-party application and are to be used as indicative figures only.
Dave
Wednesday 8th of December 2021
Looks delicious! If using monkfish as you said, do you cook for the extra 4-5mins when you fry it or at the end in the broth?
Brian Jones
Wednesday 22nd of December 2021
I would cook it for longer at the end of the process rather than at the frying stage.
Norbert S.
Tuesday 23rd of March 2021
Szia!
I found a mistake, you wrote lake Tisza, but it's a river, maybe you wanted to write lake Balaton.
Best, Norbert S. Hungary
Brian Jones
Wednesday 24th of March 2021
No mistake Norbert!
Tisza To is less than 15km from my home and it is beautiful, you should definitely check it out!
It is far less commercial and more "natural" than Balaton, odd really considering that it is largely a man-made feature, it less spectacular than Balaton but really rather stunning in my opinion.
https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tisza-t%C3%B3
Tara
Friday 12th of January 2018
I've tried Sertéspaprikás, but not catfish yet. This looks delicious! I love how you paired it with the diced pickled cucumbers.
Brian Jones
Tuesday 16th of January 2018
Bizarrely enough pork is the least common meat to find in a paprikash here in Hungary, which is really odd as it is really common in every other way ;)
lisa
Friday 12th of January 2018
This looks and sounds absolutely fabulous -- so inventive too. I admit to not liking catfish, because I typically get the one piece that tastes like mud (why???) I have access to lots of other fresh fish, though - so maybe I'll try this with a different variety. Thanks for the inspiration!
Brian Jones
Tuesday 16th of January 2018
I reckon this would work wonderfully with monkfish and I would give it a try myself if I didn't have to sell a kidney to be able to afford some here in landlocked Hungary ;)
Kristen
Friday 12th of January 2018
This is just a good idea to use the same technique for chicken for fish--the flavors are just incredible.
Brian Jones
Tuesday 16th of January 2018
It is a very different technique to the way chickne paprikash is traditionally made but a very similar flavour.