Erős Pista 200g - Hot Paprika Sauce

Erős Pista is an authentic Hungarian raw crushed hot paprika paste: a lively, spicy condiment for goulash, soups, sauces, rich stews and everyday cooking.

What Is Erős Pista?

Erős Pista is a much-loved Hungarian hot paprika paste, made with coarsely crushed raw hot peppers rather than dried paprika powder. Its visible pieces of pepper give it a more rustic texture, fresh pepper flavour and gentle crunch alongside its heat.

Made with 87% raw crushed hot paprika, Erős Pista has a bright, savoury character that brings more than heat alone. It is a classic table condiment in Hungary, found in home kitchens, restaurants and canteens, ready to be stirred into a dish or added to taste at the table.

It is hot but not extreme, at around 1,000 Scoville Heat Units. For significantly more heat, try Haragos Pista. For the same distinctive paprika character without the burn, choose Édes Anna.

How to Use Erős Pista

Use Erős Pista whenever a dish needs a quick hit of fiery red-pepper flavour. Try it in:

• rich beef goulash, creamy chicken paprikash, smoky lecsó, comforting stuffed cabbage and warming fish soup
• hearty broths, chicken soup, vegetable stews, casseroles and slow-cooked dishes
• tomato sauces, curries and marinades for extra colour, warmth and savoury depth
• scrambled eggs, toasties, pizza and stir-fries for an easy spicy kick
• tacos, wraps and burgers where its punchy paprika heat works especially well with rich fillings
• mayonnaise, sour cream or yoghurt to make a creamy, spicy dip with a distinctly Hungarian flavour

A Simple Cooking Tip

Start with half a teaspoon, taste, then add more if needed. Erős Pista is preserved with salt, so reduce the additional salt in your recipe until you have tasted the finished dish.

For a rich Hungarian-style base, cook onion gently in oil, add a little Erős Pista and Hungarian paprika, then add your meat, vegetables or stock. The paste blooms in the warm oil, building colour, heat and savoury depth from the start.

Where Does It Come From?

Erős Pista is made by Univer, a Hungarian-owned food producer based in Kecskemét and founded in 1948. Its paprika products have become fixtures of Hungarian kitchens, with Erős Pista and Piros Arany among the company’s best-known creations.

Its name is part of the appeal: erős means hot or strong in Hungarian, while Pista is a familiar nickname for István. The lively illustrated jar and its coarsely crushed pepper texture have made Erős Pista instantly recognisable to generations of Hungarian food lovers.

Unlike a smooth chilli sauce, Erős Pista is a proper paprika condiment, with visible pepper pieces and a full, savoury heat that feels at home in both traditional Hungarian cooking and everyday modern dishes.

Explore more paprika pastes, goulash blends, herbs and store-cupboard flavourings in our Hungarian seasoning collection.

Product Details

Ingredients

Raw crushed hot paprika (87%), salt, thickener: xanthan gum; acid: citric acid; preservative: potassium sorbate.

Dietary information: Naturally vegan and gluten-free.

Origin: Hungary.
Storage: Store in a cool, dry place. Refrigerate after opening and use within the period stated on the jar.

Nutritional Information

Typical values per 100g: