Peposo is a hearty Tuscan beef stew that’s made with just 5 ingredients. Chuck roast is seared and slowly braised until tender in a sauce made from black pepper and chianti. Traditionally served with crusty bread, Peposo is also wonderful served with creamy polenta.
The first time I had Peposo I was blown away by the incredible flavor that pepper yields after it’s been cooked for a few hours.
You may be looking at the ingredients and wondering if the 1 1/2 tablespoons of black pepper is correct; yes, it is.
The pepper is stewed with the wine and beef for over 2 hours and that allows the flavor of the pepper to mellow and morph into something truly wonderful.
Peposo, or Tuscan beef and black pepper stew, is a favorite in our home and I love the fact it requires just a few ingredients, and that after the searing, I can basically set it on the stove and allow it to cook while I tend to other things.
Oh, and the aroma of the Peposo while it’s simmering is reason enough to make it!
How to make peposo (Tuscan beef stew)
Each number corresponds to the numbered written steps below.
- Slice a 2 1/2 pound beef chuck roast into large chunks. Alternatively, you can purchase stew beef or chuck that’s already been sliced. Using a paper towel, pat the chunks until they are very dry. (Photo #1)
- Season the beef chunks with 2 teaspoons of kosher salt. Note: As a general rule 3/4 to 1 teaspoon of kosher salt per pound of beef is what tastes good. Of course, feel free to adjust to your own tastes. (Photo #2)
- Heat a large Dutch oven to medium heat and add 8 cloves of garlic and 3 tablespoons of olive oil and cook the garlic for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden. Remove the garlic cloves and save them for later. Without overcrowding the pot, add the beef and begin to sear on all sides. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your pot. (Photo #3)
- After 5-6 minutes the beef should be seared and can be moved to a plate. Repeat the process for subsequent batches of beef. (Photo #4)
- Crush 1 1/2 tablespoons of black peppercorns with a mallet and add to the oil and cook for 30 seconds. Turn the heat up to medium-high and add 1 750ml bottle of chianti. (Photo #5)
- Once bubbling, dislodge the brown bits from the bottom of the Dutch oven by scraping with a wooden spoon. Let the wine bubble for 2-3 minutes then turn the heat down to medium-low. (Photo #6)
- Return the seared beef and garlic cloves to the pot and cover with the lid. Cook for 90 minutes completely covered. During this time you can check to see if anything is sticking to the bottom of the pot, but this likely won’t happen as long as you are using a heavy lid. (Photo #7)
- Remove the lid and cook for another 60-90 minutes or until the beef is tender. Be sure to stir the meat every so often and check for tenderness. The meat should be tender but not falling apart. If you wish to thicken the sauce, first remove the beef and place it on a plate. Reduce the liquid in the pot by bringing it to a boil. If the sauce thickness is to your liking, there’s no need to reduce it and you can skip the boiling step and serve with crusty Italian bread, polenta, or mashed potatoes. (Photo #8) Enjoy!
Top tips
- The pepper. Since pepper is one of the main ingredients of Peposo, it is imperative that you use coarse freshly ground pepper. I would advise against using preground pepper that comes in a pepper shaker type of container. Using a meat mallet to grind whole black peppercorns is a great option, or you can use a coarse grind setting on a peppermill. A mortar and pestle or a coffee grinder work great too.
- The wine. Chianti or any Super Tuscan or Sangiovese wine would be perfect for this Tuscan stew. Alternatively, you could use a cabernet.
- The sauce. The sauce that’s left after cooking the beef is pretty thin and that is how it is served traditionally. However, if you prefer a thicker sauce you can bring the sauce up to a boil and allow the sauce to reduce, or you can create a slurry with cornstarch to thicken the sauce.
- The beef. Chuck roast is fatty so if you’d like to remove some of the fat from the dish, you can start by trimming some of the fat from the chuck. You can also remove some of the fat by skimming the top with a slotted spoon, or by using a bulb baster to remove it. When cooking the beef you want it to be tender but not falling apart so be sure to check the tenderness, especially during the last hour of cooking, to prevent it from breaking down too much.
- Making ahead. Peposo, much like other stews or soups, will taste better the next day after the flavors have had a few hours to meld in the fridge. If you’d like to make ahead, the stew will be good in the fridge for up to 3 days and you can simply reheat on the stovetop.
- Serving the peposo. Traditionally, peposo is served with crusty bread. It’s also fantastic served over creamy polenta, as pictured below, or roasted garlic mashed potatoes. A nice sauteed green like garlicky spinach, or broccoli rabe would be a perfect side.
More great recipes
If you have enjoyed this Tuscan black pepper stew, I think you’ll also love these other great recipes.
- Italian beef stew – also known as spezzatino di manzo, this stew is made with beef, onion, carrots, celery, mushrooms, red wine, and rosemary.
- Guinness beef stew – chunks of beef, carrots, and potatoes stewed with Guinness, beef broth, and fresh thyme.
- Beef Bourguignon – beef braised in red wine with carrots, pearl onions, mushrooms, and herbs.
- Brasato al Barolo – beef brisket braised in red wine.
- Short rib ragu with pappardelle – short ribs braised in tomato and wine, tossed with pasta, and topped with Parmigiano Reggiano.
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Peposo
Peposo is a hearty Tuscan stew of beef that's braised in chianti and black pepper until tender and served with crusty bread.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 pounds chuck roast cut into chunks
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 cloves garlic
- 1 750ml bottle chianti
- 1 1/2 tablespoons coarse black pepper crushed with a mallet
Instructions
- Using paper towels, pat the beef chunks very dry. Season with salt on all sides.
- Heat a large Dutch oven to medium heat. Add the olive oil and the garlic to the pot and cook for 1-2 minutes or until the cloves turn lightly golden. Remove the garlic cloves but save them for later.
- Add the beef without crowding the pan (work in batches). Sear the beef on all sides (about 5-6 minutes total) then place the pieces onto a plate. Repeat for subsequent batches.
- Add the black pepper to the oil and cook for 30 seconds. Turn the heat up to medium-high and add the red wine. Once bubbling, scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon. Let the wine bubble for 2-3 minutes then turn the heat down to medium-low.
- Return the seared beef and garlic cloves to the pot and cover with the lid. Cook for 90 minutes completely covered then remove the lid and continue to cook for another 60-90 minutes or until tender. Make sure to stir the meat every so often and to check for tenderness. The meat should be tender but not falling apart.
- Once the meat is tender you can remove it to a plate and reduce the liquid in the pot by bringing it to a boil. If the liquid is thick enough to your liking, just skip the boiling step and serve with crusty Italian bread, polenta, or mashed potatoes. Enjoy!
Notes
- Makes 4 large or 6 moderate-size servings.
- Cooking time will vary. Cook until the meat is very tender but not to the point that it falls apart.
- The sauce can be degreased by skimming the top or by using a bulb baster. Cutting away some of the initial fat from the chuck will also help.
- Traditionally the sauce is quite thin, but if you like it on the thicker side remove the meat at the end of cooking and bring the pot to a boil. The liquid will reduce and thicken. Alternatively, if you want more sauce, thicken it with a bit of cornstarch.
- Peposo tastes even better the next day. Leftovers can be saved for up to 3 days in the fridge and can be reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
Nutrition
Calories: 772kcal | Carbohydrates: 5.1g | Protein: 86.1g | Fat: 28.2g | Saturated Fat: 8.2g | Cholesterol: 253mg | Sodium: 1359mg | Potassium: 1327mg | Sugar: 1.5g | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 54mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Great recipe and a go to for winter dinners.My family is from Italy and it’s very good for game meat. I cook longer and it doesn’t hurt anything . Low and slow
Sounds delicious and can hardly wait to make it. Can you suggest a brand of Chianti? Also, by mistake I ended up with beef chuck and London broil. I was going to buy another pound of chuck but am hoping the London broil will work with the chuck.
Hi Tricia, Ruffino is a good middle of the road Chianti. London Broil is more lean than the chuck so those pieces may be a little drier than the chuck and the texture will be a bit different, but it will still be good. Hope you enjoy!
Amazing recipe. I went searching for a peposo recipe online after having this dish a few weeks ago at Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco in Florence. I never thought I would replicate how delicious that meal had been, but got pretty close with this recipe!
One question Jim: have you ever tried making this with a different cut of beef? I have seen some versions online that use short ribs and am just wondering if you have explored other options like that.
Thank you for your great recipes, I look forward to making more!
Hi David, it’s great to hear this recipe is close to one you had in Florence. I haven’t made it with other cuts of beef but I’m sure it would be excellent with short ribs. Thanks for the comment!
Can’t wait to try the Peposo!
Can it be made in a slow cooker?
Hi Crystal, we didn’t test this one in a slow cooker, however, someone commented back in October 2022 that she used the slow cooker function on her Instant pot and it worked well. We’d love to hear back from you if you do use the slow cooker.
Excellent!!!
Hi Dave, so happy you enjoyed and thanks for the comment!
Hey Jim! I love all your recipes and can’t wait to try this one. I haven’t sent you an email before, but wanted to ask if you’ve ever done a video on osso bucco. I would love to see you do one on that!
Hi Madeline, thanks for the comment. We’re so happy you’re enjoying the recipes! Jim hasn’t filmed a video for osso buco but he does have a recipe with full process photos to walk you through the entire process. Here’s the link to that recipe. https://www.sipandfeast.com/osso-buco/
James, I made this last night and it was absolutely delish. The only I had (my fault) was my burner was a little high during the initial 90 minutes covered. At close to the 90 minute mark, most if not all of the liquid evaporated. I wonder if I can reduce some red wine tonight and then add the meat to it to reward and have some sauce. Thanks!
Hi Ian, thanks for the comment and we’re happy to hear you enjoyed. You certainly could reduce some additional wine if you’d like to add a bit more liquid.
Very good and very old recipe from my family from Venice. My uncle was the hunter in the family and used this recipe for deer meat. It was never gamey and we had it with polenta.i add banquet seasoning.just because….
Made this one a bunch and it’s always a crowd favorite. I’ve cooked other methods and think James’s method is the best, brown the meat first!!!
Hi Anthony, really appreciate the comment and so happy you enjoyed this one a few times!
I made this last night and it was simple and delicious. This is the 4th or 5th recipes I’ve made of yours and they have all been great. Thanks.
Hi Dillon, I’m so happy you enjoyed the peposo and other recipes as well. Thanks so much for the comment!
Can’t wait to try it.
Hi Ellen, thanks for the comment and hope you enjoy!