The Portuguese Stew That Transforms Tough Beef Cuts

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy

Watch the recipe

Cooking With Anadi

12K subscribers · beef and potatoes in tomato sauce with warm spices

I’ve never been to Portugal (actually, there are so many countries I’ve never been to… I’ve not been much of a globe-trotter as of yet!), but I hear Portugal is wonderful! When I had the opportunity to try my hand at a Portuguese recipe, Molha de Carne, or beef stew with potatoes, really was a must-have! If you know me by now, you know I just love potatoes, and a meat and potato dish will always have my name on it!

Is Portuguese food a new cuisine for you too? This Molha de Carne recipe is excellent to dip your toes into the cuisine without leaving your home! I encourage you to make Portugal no longer a destination unseen by preparing this beef and potato stew as part of your one-month Live to Cook challenge! I also encourage you to make Portuguese cooking a theme for the week to give you some more creative ideas and get out of your comfort zone, as I explain in my free motivational guide Make Cooking Fun!" Get started on your cooking journey for free by signing up to my email newsletter, plus you’ll never miss out on an exciting dinner idea again with all of my new recipes going right to your inbox!

Molha de Carne Portuguese beef stew served in a white bowl with carrots, potatoes, and fresh herbs, alongside crusty bread.

Check out the video to see all the details in how this Molha de Carne comes together! It would mean a lot if you would please subscribe to my YouTube channel, and be sure to press the bell button so you’re notified when my video recipes go live! You’ll get a full picture of how easy this flavorful and wholesome Portuguese stew recipe comes together, and it will bring all the concepts of the written recipe together. Let’s get cooking!

Bowl of Molha de Carne Portuguese beef stew with tender meat, potatoes, and carrots in rich brown broth, garnished with green onions.

Equipment Needed for Portuguese Beef Stew

Molha de Carne Portuguese beef stew served in a white bowl with chunks of beef, potatoes, and carrots in rich brown gravy, garnished with fresh herbs and accompanied by a crusty roll.

Ingredients for Molha de Carne

For all ingredient quantities and to save the recipe for later, scroll to the bottom of this post or press the “Jump to Recipe” button for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card. You can also scale the recipe based on how much beef you have to cook or how many portions you want to make! Individual ingredient quantities are automatically adjusted for you, so you don’t need to do any mental math!

Ingredients laid out for Portuguese beef stew including paprika, diced onions, carrots, potatoes, and beef broth.

Yellow potatoes
Sweet potatoes
Ground cumin
Allspice
Ground coriander
Paprika
Bay leaves
Beef broth: The main source of liquid here.
Beef stewing cubes: You could also use chuck steak or sirloin tip roast, cut into cubes.
San Marzano Tomatoes
Olive oil
Red wine: The type of red wine I used was Cabernet Sauvignon.
Onions
Garlic cloves
Salt and pepper
Water
Parsley

How to Make This Hearty Portuguese Beef Stew Recipe

Heat 2-3 Tbsp of the olive oil in a large cast-iron pan over medium-high heat and add the chopped onions, carrots and garlic. Add a generous pinch of salt and saute until the veggies turn fragrant and start to soften.

Browned beef and onions being stirred in a red cast-iron pan on a stovetop.

Pink and yellow diced onions and garlic cooking in olive oil in a red cast-iron pan on stovetop.

Diced onions, carrots, and garlic sautéing in a red cast-iron pan with water being added.

Diced onions, carrots, and garlic sautéing in a red cast-iron pan with a wooden spoon stirring the ingredients.

Add the meat and stir well. Stir and cook until each side is browned evenly. Then, add the paprika, ground coriander, ground cumin, freshly ground black pepper and stir well. Cook until the spices become fragrant and coat the meat and veggies well, about 3-4 minutes.

Add the potatoes and mix well until they are also well coated with the spices. If the pan is too dry, add a splash of water and continue stirring and cooking for 3-4 minutes.

Raw beef chunks and diced vegetables browning in a pink Dutch oven during preparation of Portuguese beef stew.

Diced beef and diced carrots being stirred in a pink Dutch oven during the browning stage of Portuguese beef stew.

Beef stew with diced carrots and spices being stirred in a pink Dutch oven pot.

Hand pouring ground spices into a glass over a pot of browning beef and carrots.

Beef stew with browned meat cubes and diced carrots cooking in a red Dutch oven with wooden spoon.

Beef stew with diced potatoes and carrots being stirred in a red pot with wooden spoon

Add the can of tomatoes, mix and break any large chunks of tomatoes. Add the wine, broth, bay leaf and allspice. Stir well and wait for the gravy to come up to a simmer. Once simmering, lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, cover the pan and cook for 2 1/2 - 3 hours.

Red tomatoes being poured into a pink Dutch oven filled with beef stew ingredients and diced vegetables.

Portuguese beef stew simmering in a pink Dutch oven with tomatoes, potatoes, and meat in rich gravy.

Molha de Carne simmering in a red Dutch oven with beef chunks, potatoes, and tomato broth on stovetop.

Molha de Carne simmering in a red Dutch oven with beef, potatoes, and tomatoes in rich broth

Portuguese beef stew simmering in red Dutch oven with tomatoes, potatoes, and rich broth.

Red braising pan with glass dome lid simmering on stovetop, showing Molha de Carne stew cooking.

Taste and adjust the dish for salt and pepper. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley leaves and serve hot right away.

Molha de Carne Portuguese beef stew simmering in a red pot, garnished with fresh green parsley.

Portuguese beef stew in a pink pot being stirred, garnished with fresh parsley and diced vegetables in rich tomato broth.

Enjoy with crusty bread, rice or quinoa.

Portuguese beef stew with tender meat and carrots in rich brown broth served in a white bowl with ladle.

Hearty bowl of Portuguese beef stew with tender meat, diced carrots and potatoes in rich brown broth, garnished with parsley.

Tips to Master This Portuguese Stew

I like to add the dry spices at the beginning of cooking because the dried spices will release their natural flavors. It’s a technique used in Indian cooking and I’ve adopted it here!
Cube the potatoes evenly so that they cook evenly.
Cooking slow and low will be key to get tender beef and incredible flavors!
Garnish with just a bit of parsley, you don’t need much for this dish!
If you want some extra protein, a commonly served variation is to cook this stew with chorizo as well!

Portuguese beef stew in a white bowl with tender beef chunks, potatoes, carrots, and rich brown broth, garnished with parsley.

Serving Suggestions for Portuguese Beef Stew

The traditional serving suggestion for Molha de Carne is with a warm, crusty bread, such as baguette or Ciabatta. I actually went for these croissant buns that I already had on hand! They were AMAZING with this stew! You could also do simple Steamed White Rice or some quinoa for gluten-free options.

Portuguese beef stew with tender meat, carrots, and potatoes in rich brown broth in a red Dutch oven.

How to Store Beef Stew▼

Be sure to first allow the stew to completely cool. After, transfer your stew into an airtight container. Due to the garlic and beef in this recipe, I wouldn’t keep it in the fridge for longer than 4 days.

I would most certainly NOT keep Molha de Carne in the freezer! Potatoes never freeze and defrost well, so you’re better off just planning to enjoy this throughout a couple of days or give it to a crowd!

Molha de Carne Portuguese beef stew in white bowl with tender beef chunks, diced sweet potato, and fresh green garnish.

Other Hearty Beef Recipes!

Open-Faced Lebanese Meat Pies

Let me know what you think of this recipe in the comments! If you’ve tried this recipe, be sure to post it on social media and tag it with #cookingwithanadi and mention me @cooking.with.anadi. Thank you!

Recipe by Anadi Misra

Hearty Molha de Carne Recipe: Portuguese Beef Stew

Discover Molha de Carne, a rich and hearty Portuguese beef stew slow-cooked with tender potatoes and bold spices. A traditional comfort dish perfect for lunch or dinner.

One-pot

Rate this recipe ✦

Leave a review

Saved to your collection

30 min

Prep

3 hr 30 min

Cook

4 hr

Total

servings

easy

Level

Ingredients

Tap any quantity to scale

For the stew base

(30 ml) olive oilShop →
large onion(finely diced)
medium carrot(finely diced)
garlic cloves(finely chopped)
(900 g) stewing beef(cut into bite-sized chunks)
(11 g) paprikaShop →
(8 g) ground corianderShop →
(4 g) roasted ground cuminShop →
salt(to taste)Shop →
freshly ground black pepper(to taste)Shop →
(3 g) allspiceShop →

Vegetables & braising liquid

Yukon gold potato (medium sized dice) · make your own
sweet potato(medium sized dice)
canned San Marzano tomatoesShop →
(360 ml) red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon)
(360 ml) beef brothShop →

Garnish

parsley(for garnish)Shop →

Instructions

1
Heat 2–3 tbsp of the olive oil in a large cast-iron pan over medium-high heat and add the chopped onions, carrots and garlic. Add a generous pinch of salt and sauté until the veggies turn fragrant and start to soften.
Heat 2–3 tbsp of the olive oil in a large cast-iron pan over medium-high heat and add the chopped onions, carrots and garlic. Add a generous pinch of salt and sauté until the veggies turn fragrant and start to soften.
2
Add the meat and stir well. Stir and cook until each side is browned evenly. Then, add the paprika, ground coriander, ground cumin, freshly ground black pepper and stir well. Cook until the spices become fragrant and coat the meat and veggies well, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the meat and stir well. Stir and cook until each side is browned evenly. Then, add the paprika, ground coriander, ground cumin, freshly ground black pepper and stir well. Cook until the spices become fragrant and coat the meat and veggies well, about 3-4 minutes.
3
Add the potatoes and mix well until they are also well coated with the spices. If the pan is too dry, add a splash of water and continue stirring and cooking for 3-4 minutes.
Add the potatoes and mix well until they are also well coated with the spices. If the pan is too dry, add a splash of water and continue stirring and cooking for 3-4 minutes.
4
Add the can of tomatoes, mix and break any large chunks of tomatoes. Add the wine, broth, bay leaf and allspice. Stir well and wait for the gravy to come up to a simmer. Once simmering, lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, cover the pan and cook for 2 1/2 - 3 hours.
Add the can of tomatoes, mix and break any large chunks of tomatoes. Add the wine, broth, bay leaf and allspice. Stir well and wait for the gravy to come up to a simmer. Once simmering, lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, cover the pan and cook for 2 1/2 - 3 hours.
Learn the technique
5
Taste and adjust the dish for salt and pepper. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley leaves and serve hot right away.
Taste and adjust the dish for salt and pepper. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley leaves and serve hot right away.

Notes

•Enjoy with crusty bread, rice or quinoa.

Share This Recipe

Did you make this recipe? Tag @cooking.with.anadi on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingwithanadi

Tested & written in Anadi’s kitchen

Recipe history

April 16, 2026 — Reworked and refreshed for the 2026 relaunch — new photography, restructured and standardized ingredients & instructions.

One-pot Moroccan chicken and chickpea stew in a red Dutch oven with couscous and sauce on the side.

African

One-Pot Moroccan Chicken & Chickpea Stew

Warm, aromatic, and made in one pot — this Moroccan Chicken & Chickpea Stew is packed with bold spices and hearty flavor. The easiest authentic Moroccan stew you will ever make.

1 hr 15 minMedium6 servings

White bean harissa stew with chickpeas and fresh herbs in a white bowl.

Mediterranean

Cozy Up With This Easy-to-Make White Bean Harissa Stew

Warm up with this cozy white bean harissa stew — a hearty, flavor-packed vegetarian dish that comes together easily for the ultimate Mediterranean comfort meal any night of the week.

1 hr 25 minMedium10 servings

Creamy chicken stew with tender chicken pieces, carrots, potatoes, and green beans in a savory broth.

American

Warm and Hearty Country Harvest Chicken Stew

Warm, hearty, and packed with tender chicken, potatoes, and vegetables, this old fashioned chicken stew is pure comfort food. A simple, satisfying dinner the whole family will love.

1 hr 20 minMedium10 servings

Italian

Cheesy Oven-Baked Meatball Casserole in Marinara Sauce

Cheesy Oven-Baked Meatball Casserole smothered in rich marinara sauce is the ultimate Italian comfort dinner. Juicy beef meatballs, bubbly melted cheese, and bold flavor in every bite. A crowd-pleasing meal the whole family will love.

50 minMedium2 casseroles

Lebanese

Discover the Best Lebanese Beef Kafta Recipe

Juicy, spiced Lebanese beef kafta on skewers — a classic Mediterranean favorite perfect for lunch or dinner. Easy to make and packed with bold Middle Eastern flavor in every bite.

1 hr 40 minEasy4 skewers

Beef burrito bowl with shredded lettuce, yellow rice, seasoned ground beef, sour cream, salsa, and cilantro garnish in a white bowl.

Mexican

Flavorful Beef Burrito Bowl Recipe for Easy Meal Prep

Make meal prep easy with this hearty Beef Burrito Bowl! Packed with bold, flavorful ingredients, it comes together fast for a satisfying lunch or dinner the whole family will love.

30 minEasy4 bowls