Karjalanpaisti (Karelian Stew)
Karjalanpaisti is a traditional Finnish stew originating from the Karelia region. It's a slow-cooked dish typically made with a mix of beef and pork, seasoned simply with salt, allspice, and bay leaves, and is known for its rich, deep flavor that develops over hours of simmering.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Beef chuck steak(cut into 3 cm cubes)
- 500 g Pork shoulder(cut into 3 cm cubes)
- 2 large Onions(peeled and cut into large chunks)
- 2 Carrots(peeled and cut into large chunks)
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 500 ml Water(or enough to just cover the meat)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 10 Whole allspice berries
- 2 Bay leaves
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F).
💡 Tip: Ensure oven is fully preheated before placing the stew inside. - 2
Melt butter in a large stew pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef and pork cubes in batches until nicely seared on all sides. Remove meat and set aside.
💡 Tip: Browning the meat in batches prevents overcrowding the pan, ensuring a good sear. - 3
Add the chopped onions and carrots to the pot and sauté until slightly softened, about 5 minutes.
- 4
Return the browned meat to the pot. Add the water, salt, allspice berries, and bay leaves. The liquid should just cover the meat and vegetables.
💡 Tip: If using a pan for browning, rinse it with the water and add it to the pot to capture any flavorful browned bits. - 5
Cover the pot tightly with a lid or foil. Place in the preheated oven and cook for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the meat is very tender.
💡 Tip: If the stew appears to be drying out during cooking, add a little more water. If the meat starts to burn, cover with foil. - 6
Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Discard bay leaves and allspice berries if desired.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Traditionally, Karjalanpaisti uses a mix of beef and pork, but lamb or even reindeer can be used for variations.
- ✓The key to this stew is slow cooking at a low temperature, allowing the flavors to meld and the meat to become incredibly tender.
- ✓Serve with boiled or mashed potatoes, lingonberry jam, and pickled cucumbers for an authentic Finnish experience.
🔄 Variations
- Add a splash of dark beer or a tablespoon of tomato paste for added depth of flavor.
- Some recipes include a small amount of flour to thicken the stew slightly, though it's not traditional.