Chilean Estofado Beef Stew

Versión en español

This Chilean Estofado Beef Stew is another traditional dish made on the stove in Chile. It’s one of the meals I loved as a girl; my favorite part was mashing the potatoes and carrots to create a puree with the sauce. Delicious.

Chilean estofado is a traditional Chilean stew combining European and indigenous culinary influences. This hearty and flavorful dish is a staple in Chilean cuisine and is often enjoyed in winter.

Here are the key characteristics of Chilean estofado:

• Meat: Estofado typically features beef as the primary protein, although you may also find variations with pork or a combination of both. The meat is usually cut into bite-sized pieces and browned before stewing.
• Vegetables: Onions, garlic, and sometimes bell peppers are essential aromatic ingredients that provide depth of flavor to the stew. Carrots and potatoes add flavor and texture.
• Seasonings: Common seasonings include cumin, paprika, oregano (use only Mexican oregano for true Chilean flavor), and bay leaves. These spices contribute to the rich and savory flavor profile of the dish.
• Liquid: Red, white wine, and beef broth are often used as the liquid base for the estofado. The wine adds a pleasant acidity and depth to the sauce, while the beef broth provides richness.
• Tomatoes: Tomato sauce or fresh tomatoes are added to create a tomato-based sauce that gives the estofado its characteristic color and tanginess.
• Cooking Method: The meat and vegetables are typically sautéed in a large pot or Dutch oven until browned and then simmered in the liquid and tomato sauce. The long, slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld and the meat to become tender.
• Estofado is a main dish usually served with green salad: apio palta (celery and avocado) or cabbage salad.

Cultural Significance

Estofado de San Juan

Its consumption is associated with the night of San Juan, the longest night of the year, and from the Mapuche point of view, this food is linked to the rites of the change of year to promote the abundance of food and drink. In both cases, the coincidence with the winter solstice has led to this dish being shared in southern Chile’s indigenous traditions and the Creole and mestizo traditions. The Estofado de San Juan recipe is different and only includes meats, usually a combination of beef, pork, and some poultry. No carrots, tomato sauce, or potatoes are cooked with the meats.

Visit our collection of Chilean recipes here.

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