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This rustic Tuscan dish has bold flavors from tender beef, red wine and black pepper that slowly simmer together for hours. Peposo dates back centuries to when tile makers in Impruneta, Florence, cooked it over clay furnaces, letting time transform simple ingredients into a rich and deeply satisfying dish. The long simmer creates tender beef with a thick sauce that tastes like history itself, filling your kitchen with aromas promising a hearty meal packed with Italian tradition.
Peposo is a savory Italian beef stew that’s made with red wine and cracked black pepper. It’s rich, hearty and full of rustic flavor in every satisfying mouthful.
More hearty recipes to try include Italian beef stew, lamb stew, slow cooker Italian beef, stracotto, and classic beef Bourguignon.
Why You’ll Love It
Easy to make: The ingredients stay minimal and straightforward so even beginners can handle this recipe.
Big flavor payoff: Slow cooking builds depth you can’t rush in any other way.
Simple ingredients: Just beef, wine, garlic and black pepper come together for rich results.
Flexible dish: Works for family meals, gatherings or make-ahead dinners. It reheats well too.
Tuscan Braised Beef Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Olive oil: Adds richness and helps brown the beef for flavor.
Beef chuck roast: Marbled stew beef turns tender after long simmering.
Garlic: Whole cloves soften into the sauce for subtle sweetness.
Red wine: Chianti or any dry red wine creates the flavorful base.
Black peppercorns: Freshly cracked pepper gives bold heat and aroma.
How to Make Tuscan Red Wine Beef Stew
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Season the beef: Season the beef with kosher salt.
Brown the beef: Sear it in a large Dutch oven until golden on all sides.
Cook the garlic: Soften whole cloves briefly for mellow flavor.
Deglaze with wine: Scrape browned bits to build the sauce base.
Simmer the stew: Add beef, pepper and cook low and slow until the meat is fork tender.
Substitutions and Variations
Wine options: Try Merlot, Sangiovese or Cabernet Sauvignon if Chianti isn’t available.
Add herbs: A sprig of rosemary or bay leaves adds earthy flavor.
Gluten free option: Serve over mashed potatoes or polenta instead of bread or pasta.
Less heat: Halve the amount of black pepper for a milder flavor.
Add a garnish: Add a sprig of fresh rosemary or some fresh parsley on top before serving, for a pop of color.
Serving Suggestions
With bread: Enjoy mushroom focaccia, Tuscan bread or crusty bread like sourdough with your Italian stew, to mop up all those wonderful meat juices.
With potatoes: It’s delicious served with garlic mashed potatoes or red skin mashed potatoes.
More side dish ideas: Slow cooker polenta, white rice or pasta are more ideas. You might also like to serve cannellini beans on the side or some roasted fresh vegetables.
Wine pairing: Enjoy a glass of Chianti or your preferred Italian red.
How to Store Tuscan Black Pepper Stew
Store: Refrigerate in a sealed container up to 4 days.
Freeze: Cool completely, freeze up to 3 months.
Thaw: Place in the fridge overnight.
Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth or water if needed to loosen it up.
Top Tips
Brown well: Searing the beef deeply enriches the final flavor.
Use freshly ground black pepper: Pre-ground pepper won’t give the same punch.
Simmer slowly: Low heat ensures the beef turns tender, not dry.
Don’t rush resting: Let flavors settle a few minutes before serving.
Tuscan Braised Beef FAQs
Yes, the flavor deepens when chilled overnight and reheated gently.
No, any dry red wine like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon works.
They add sweetness as they cook slowly without turning bitter.
Peposo Tuscan Beef Stew Recipe
Peposo
Equipment
- Dutch Oven or Large Heavy Pot with Lid
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 ½ Pounds chuck roast, cut into large chunks
- 1 Tablespoon kosher salt
- 6 to 8 Cloves garlic, peeled and left whole
- 1 Bottle Chianti, or similar dry red wine, 750ml
- 2 Tablespoons black peppercorns, freshly cracked
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
- Pat the chuck roast dry with paper towels and season all sides with kosher salt.
- Sear the beef in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Brown each piece on all sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
- Remove the beef and set aside.
- Lower the heat to medium and add the whole garlic cloves to the pot.
- Cook for 1 or 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant but not browned.
- Pour in the wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon.
- Return the seared beef to the pot and sprinkle ground black pepper over the top.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to low.
- Cover the pot with the lid slightly ajar and simmer for 3 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened.
- Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
- Serve hot with crusty bread or over creamy polenta, al dente pasta or fluffy mashed potatoes.
Notes
Use freshly ground black pepper: Pre-ground pepper won’t give the same punch.
Simmer slowly: Low heat ensures the beef turns tender, not dry.
Don’t rush resting: Let flavors settle a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition
This hearty Tuscan classic lets beef, red wine, garlic and cracked pepper cook slowly together until the meat turns tender and the rich sauce becomes smooth and flavorful. Peposo is absolutely delicious. The dish has been around for centuries, proving you don’t need complicated steps to make something authentic and deeply satisfying. The long simmer creates a dish that feels rustic and warm while bringing bold flavor to every bite, perfect for family dinners or weekend cooking projects.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
