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5.0 from 48 votes

Peposo - Tuscan Red Wine Stew

Peposo is a traditional Tuscan Beef Stew originating from Florence. It truly is the simplest stew you'll ever make yet it has so much flavour. Made with garlic, lots of black pepper and a whole bottle of red wine, super delicious and perfect served with creamy polenta.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
3 hrs
Total Time
3 hrs 5 mins
Servings: 4 - 6 servings
Calories: 605 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs beef chuck or shank or stewing beef (1 kg) cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 1 bottle red wine Chianti or Sangiovese if possible
  • 6 whole garlic cloves peeled
  • 1 tbsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp sea salt flakes or kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot, brown the beef on all sides for a minute or two (you might need to do this in batches so there is enough room).
  2. Add the beef and juices back to the pot (if browning in batches) and add the red wine, garlic, salt and pepper.
  3. Cover the pot with a lid and simmer on a medium-low heat for 1.5 hours, uncover the pot and continue to simmer the stew for another 1.5 hours until the liquid has reduced slightly.
  4. Top tip: once the stew is uncovered check it every so often and give it a stir to make sure it doesn't stick or the meat at the top dries out.
  5. The beef should be tender but not completely falling apart. Serve with creamy polenta and crusty bread.

Notes

  • The stew sauce is quite thin but that’s how it should be, if you prefer a thicker sauce simply whisk 1 tbsp of cornstarch with 1-2 tsp of water then add it to the stew at the end of cooking to thicken.
  • Traditionally this stew is cooked in a terracotta pot but I like to use a Dutch oven. You can use any large pot you have as long as it has a lid to cover it.
  • Use any good stewing beef for this, traditionally beef shank is used, I use beef chuck cut into chunks.
  • Use freshly ground black pepper, don't use pre-ground pepper that you can buy at the supermarket because it doesn't taste as good.
  • Whatever you do, do not use cooking wine! Use Chianti or San Genovese red or a good red wine that you would happily drink.

Nutrition Information

Calories 605kcal (30%) Carbohydrates 6g (2%) Protein 44g (88%) Fat 30g (46%) Saturated Fat 12g (60%) Cholesterol 156mg (52%) Sodium 773mg (32%) Potassium 1011mg (29%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 29IU (1%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 63mg (6%) Iron 6mg (33%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4- 6 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 605

% Daily Value*

Calories 605kcal 30%
Carbohydrates 6g 2%
Protein 44g 88%
Fat 30g 46%
Saturated Fat 12g 60%
Cholesterol 156mg 52%
Sodium 773mg 32%
Potassium 1011mg 22%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 29IU 1%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 63mg 6%
Iron 6mg 33%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.