How to make it
5 steps. Take it one step at a time.
Heat the vegetable oil
Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onions and sauté until translucent and slightly golden, about 8-10 minutes.
10 minStir in the sliced peppers and continue
Stir in the sliced peppers and continue to cook for another 5 minutes until they begin to soften.
5 minRemove the pot from the heat briefly
Remove the pot from the heat briefly and stir in the paprika. This prevents the paprika from burning and becoming bitter.
Add the chopped tomatoes, salt, and sugar
Add the chopped tomatoes, salt, and sugar. Return to medium-low heat. Cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the tomatoes have broken down into a sauce.
25 minTaste and adjust seasoning
Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt if needed. Serve hot with crusty bread.
A little kitchen wisdom
Traditional Lecsó is often made with Hungarian wax peppers (yellow peppers). If you can't find them, use a mix of yellow and orange bell peppers for a similar sweetness. For a non-vegetarian version, you can add sliced smoked sausage or bacon at the start with the onions.
