BBQ brisket shredded and served with fries Oven-Braised BBQ Brisket BBQ chicken thighs served Sticky BBQ Chicken Thighs (Oven Baked) BBQ ribs served with corn on the cob Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs with Buttered Corn Irish pear cider served fresh Irish Pear & Cider Cocktail Holiday apple cider served in a glass Mulled Holiday Apple Cider with Orange Spiced cherry cider served in a glass Spiced Cherry Apple Cider Glass of blueberry mint lemonade Blueberry Mint Lemonade with Homemade Syrup Blueberry iced tea in a glass Fresh Blueberry Iced Tea Blueberry liqueur in a bottle Homemade Blueberry Vodka Liqueur Green Apple Cider served fresh Iced Granny Smith Apple Cider Mocktail Green tea with lemon served fresh Classic Lemon Green Tea Vanilla latte served fresh Homemade Vanilla Bean Latte Fiery spiced cider in a glass Spicy Ginger-Chili Apple Cider Oak Aged Cider served in a glass Bourbon-Barrel Style Spiced Apple Cider Winter fruit tea served in a glass Spiced Winter Fruit Tea with Rosehips Tropical fruit tea served in a glass Tropical Green Tea Punch with Mango and Pineapple Salted Caramel Cider in a glass Salted Caramel Apple Cider Cantaloupe smoothie in a glass Creamy Cantaloupe & Yogurt Smoothie Plum Vanilla Cider served Vanilla-Plum Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail Spiced Plum Tea served in a glass Spiced Plum Tea Infusion BBQ brisket shredded and served with fries Oven-Braised BBQ Brisket BBQ chicken thighs served Sticky BBQ Chicken Thighs (Oven Baked) BBQ ribs served with corn on the cob Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs with Buttered Corn Irish pear cider served fresh Irish Pear & Cider Cocktail Holiday apple cider served in a glass Mulled Holiday Apple Cider with Orange Spiced cherry cider served in a glass Spiced Cherry Apple Cider Glass of blueberry mint lemonade Blueberry Mint Lemonade with Homemade Syrup Blueberry iced tea in a glass Fresh Blueberry Iced Tea Blueberry liqueur in a bottle Homemade Blueberry Vodka Liqueur Green Apple Cider served fresh Iced Granny Smith Apple Cider Mocktail Green tea with lemon served fresh Classic Lemon Green Tea Vanilla latte served fresh Homemade Vanilla Bean Latte Fiery spiced cider in a glass Spicy Ginger-Chili Apple Cider Oak Aged Cider served in a glass Bourbon-Barrel Style Spiced Apple Cider Winter fruit tea served in a glass Spiced Winter Fruit Tea with Rosehips Tropical fruit tea served in a glass Tropical Green Tea Punch with Mango and Pineapple Salted Caramel Cider in a glass Salted Caramel Apple Cider Cantaloupe smoothie in a glass Creamy Cantaloupe & Yogurt Smoothie Plum Vanilla Cider served Vanilla-Plum Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail Spiced Plum Tea served in a glass Spiced Plum Tea Infusion
Karjalanpaisti served with boiled potatoes
Authentic Finnish Karelian Stew with slow-cooked meats

Traditional Finnish Karelian Stew (Karjalanpaisti)

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Main Courses
Karelian stew is Finland's national dish. Its secret is simplicity and time. No fat is used for browning; everything goes into the pot at once and is slowly roasted in the oven for hours. The flavors are pure: just meat, water, salt, and pepper.
🕒 Prep Time 20 mins
🍳 Cook Time 3 hrs
⌛ Total Time 3 hrs 20 mins
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 450 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Finnish

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Dutch oven or casserole dish with lid

Instructions

1 ✓

Cut the meat into 1.5-inch cubes. Do not trim all the fat; the fat gives it flavor.

Tip: Mixing different types of meat results in a richer flavor profile.
2 ✓

Place the meat, onions, and spices into the baking dish. Pour in just enough water to cover.

Tip: Don't over-season! This dish is about the pure taste of the meat.
3 ✓

Place in the oven without a lid at 400°F (200°C) for 30 minutes to brown the top.

Tip: This browning adds color and flavor (Maillard reaction) since we didn't sear it in a pan first.
4 ✓

Reduce heat to 300°F (150°C), cover with the lid, and bake for another 2.5-3 hours.

Tip: Add a splash of water if it dries out. It's done when the meat falls apart with a fork.

Recipe FAQ

Why is the meat tough?
It didn't cook long enough. Collagen (connective tissue) needs time—at least 3 hours at low heat—to break down into gelatin and make the meat tender.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Beef Chuck (cubed)
  • 1 lb Pork Shoulder (cubed)
  • 2 pcs Onions (cut into large chunks)
  • 2 tsp Whole Black Peppercorns
  • 2 tsp Salt
  • 3 pcs Bay Leaves
  • 2 cups Water (enough to cover)