Zuurvlees
HB-2563 · Hand-built original · Surinamese
Few dishes capture the layered character of Surinamese cooking quite like Zuurvlees. Tender beef is simmered for hours in a sharp, sweet-sour braise scented with bay leaves and allspice, until the meat falls apart at the touch of a fork. It is a recipe built on patience rather than complication, and it rewards you with deep, glossy flavour. Served with rice or fried plantain, it turns an ordinary evening into something worth lingering over.
SurinameseMain Dishes3 hr1–2 servings1646 kcalGluten-freeEgg-free
Main ingredient: beef
Pairs well with: mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, red wine sauce, yorkshire pudding, green beans
Servings:1quantities adjust to match
Ingredients
- 17¾ oz beef shoulder or leg, cut into large cubes
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 13½ Tbsp white wine vinegar or cider vinegar
- 3½ oz sugar
- 3 bay leaves
- 5 allspice berries, lightly crushed
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp oil or butter, for browning
- 1 cup water, as needed
Method
- Combine the vinegar, sugar, bay leaves, allspice, garlic, onion, salt, and pepper in a non-reactive bowl or pot. Add the beef, turn to coat, cover, and marinate in the fridge overnight, or for at least 8 hours.
- Lift the beef from the marinade and pat it dry, reserving all of the marinade and the onion.
- Heat the oil or butter in a heavy pot over medium-high heat and brown the beef on all sides, about 6 to 8 minutes in total.
- Pour in the reserved marinade with the onion and spices, add enough water to come about two-thirds of the way up the meat, and bring to a simmer.
- Cover and braise on the lowest heat for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, turning the meat occasionally, until it is very tender and the sauce is dark, glossy, and sweet-sour. Add a splash of water if it reduces too far.
- Taste and adjust the balance of sugar, vinegar, and salt. Remove the bay leaves and allspice berries.
- Serve hot with boiled potatoes or rice.
Total: 3 h plus overnight marinating
Nutrition (per serving, where published)
1646 kcalCalories
149.3 gProtein
119.6 gCarbs
60.7 gFat
28.2 gSaturates
2 gFibre
5.5 gSugars
367 mgSodium
406 mgCholesterol
2616 mgPotassium
84 mgCalcium
15 mgIron
1 servingServing
Estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data