Cretan Tsigariastó Recipe (Goat Stewed with Herbs and Wine) (2024)

byAlanonJuly 26, 2021inAdditional Ideas, , , Recipe Videos, , , Shank, Neck and Stew, Specialty, Stew

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A famous dish from the Mediterranean, Tsigariasto, also known as Τσιγαριαστό κρέας, is essentially pieces of tender goat or lamb seasoned with oregano and cooked very slowly in a splash of wine with onions. It’s a very old dish made from goat or lamb in the Mediterranean, specifically Crete and Greece. It’s delicious, easy to make, and only has a handful of ingredients, but it does take a little time to prepare.

Cretan Tsigariastó Recipe (Goat Stewed with Herbs and Wine) (1)

Bone-in lamb and goat

The best part, at least in my opinion, is that this is a fantastic way to use the bone-in goat and lamb that Shepherd Song farm sells.

Cretan Tsigariastó Recipe (Goat Stewed with Herbs and Wine) (2)

Bone-in lamb and goat looks very different from the typical European cuts of lamb and goat that most Americans will be used too, but it’s actually how most of the goat and lamb around the world, especially in remote areas where access to a butcher or fresh meat market may not be an option.

As it will include a variety of cuts, bone-in lamb and goat meat is exciting to eat-you might get a piece of shoulder, a chunk of rib, or a tender slice of shank. As the entire animal is cut up into similarly-sized pieces, it makes for an interesting, interactive eating experience. If you haven’t cooked with this type of butchery cut before, I highly recommend it for a change of pace.

Cretan Tsigariastó Recipe (Goat Stewed with Herbs and Wine) (5)
Cretan Tsigariastó Recipe (Goat Stewed with Herbs and Wine) (6)

This recipe is by James Beard Award-winning Chef Alan Bergo, a chef from Minnesota and author of The Forager Chef’s Book of Flora. Learn more about Chef Alan at foragerchef.com.

Cretan Tsigariastó Recipe (Goat Stewed with Herbs and Wine) (8)

More Mediterranean Lamb Recipes

Lamb Dolmas

Lamb Marsala with Mushrooms

Greek Lamb Shanks

Cretan Tsigariastó Recipe (Goat Stewed with Herbs and Wine) (9)

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Cretan Tsigariastó Recipe (Goat Stewed with Herbs and Wine)

A traditional dish from Crete and Greece, Tsigariasto is a delicious way to prepare bone in lamb and goat meat.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time2 hours hrs

Marinating time8 hours hrs

Total Time10 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Cretan, Greek

Keyword: Bone in Goat, Bone in Lamb

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 705kcal

Cost: 20

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch oven

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs bone-in lamb or goat
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • 1.5 Tablespoons fresh oregano or marjoram plus a few sprigs for cooking
  • 2 tablespoons lamb or goat fat or cooking oil
  • 8 oz shallots on the small side, about 12-14 each

Instructions

  • Season the lamb or goat pieces with the salt, pepper and oregano and allow to sit overnight. The next day, cut ¼ inch off the ends of each shallot.

  • Bring 2 quarts of lightly salted water to a boil and blanch the shallots for 30 seconds to one minute, then remove, cool, peel and reserve, keeping the shallots whole. In a large skillet, such as a 12 inch cast iron skillet, brown the lamb very well on all sides, then remove to a baking dish wide enough to accommodate them in a single layer.

  • Add the shallots to the pan and cook for a minute more. Add the wine to the pan, scraping up the browned bits, reduce by half, then pour the liquid and shallots over the lamb.

  • Lay a few 4-5 inch sprigs of fresh oregano over the top, cover the meat and shallots with a sheet of parchment, top with a lid, then bake at 275 for 2.5-3 hours or until fork-tender, checking on the meat half-way through cooking to make sure the pan doesn’t dry out.

  • The goal is to cook the meat with as little liquid as possible so that is gently cooks in it’s own juices and the wine.

  • To serve, discard the oregano sprigs if using.

  • Arrange a couple pieces the lamb on plates or large bowls, dividing the shallots evenly between them, spoon over and drippings from the pan (if any) garnish with the chives if using, and serve with a glass of the wine the lamb cooked in.

  • Serve with a side of cooked bitter greens for a traditional meal.

Notes

Bone in goat meat is the best cut to use but sliced shanks can work too.

Nutrition

Serving: 8oz | Calories: 705kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 22g | Cholesterol: 166mg | Sodium: 578mg | Potassium: 714mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 4mg

Cretan Tsigariastó Recipe (Goat Stewed with Herbs and Wine) (2024)

FAQs

What is lamb tsigariasto in english? ›

Sautéed lamb ("tsigariastó") with potatoes.

What is the preferred cooking method for goat? ›

Goat meat is best cooked low and slow to achieve tenderness and retain juiciness. Popular cooking techniques include braising, stewing, roasting, grilling, and even curry or stir-frying.

Why is my curry goat tough? ›

People often make the mistake of turning on high heat to cook the goat meat faster. Goat meat can dry out quickly at high temperature stripping it of flavour. Turn down the heat and cook it more slowly to lock in flavour and ensure a smooth, tender finish for the meat.

What is lamb called in America? ›

United States. In the early 1900s, mutton was widely consumed in the United States, but mutton consumption has declined since World War II. As of 2010, most sheep meat in the United States comes from animals in between 12 and 14 months old, and is called "lamb"; the term "hogget" is not used.

What makes lamb taste lamby? ›

First of all, lamb tastes like lamb because it has a fatty acid that beef doesn't. It gives the meat its distinctive gamey flavour. You either love it, or you don't.

Does goat get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

You can't rush goat, says chef Kevin Onyona. To make the meat tender, you need to cook it a long time — but not too long. As the host of the Goats and Soda blog, I wanted to learn a little bit more about goats.

How many minutes does it take to boil goat meat? ›

Goat meat has the reputation of being tough so it needs to be cooked for long until tender. If you have a pressure cooker then that is great. If you don't however then cook over medium heat for about 45 minutes to 1 hour or until tender.

What do you soak goat meat in before cooking? ›

Because of its low fat content, goat meat can lose moisture and toughen up if cooked at high temperatures and under dry conditions. Goat meat is usually cooked slowly or moderately and is often cooked in sauces or marinated first. One easy marinade is to soak the meat in beer and a 1/4 cup of lemon juice.

What seasonings are good for goat meat? ›

Goat meat is not as sweet as beef. Because of its savory characteristic works well with bold flavors: curry, pineapple, chilies, onion, garlic, wine (red or white), red pepper, coriander, rosemary, etc.

How long does goat need to be cooked? ›

Goat leg and shoulder: if you'd like to recreate a Mediterranean feast at home, rub some herbs and spices into a goat leg or shoulder and place in a lidded pot with some onions and white wine. Cook in a slow oven for 3—7 hours, depending on the size of your joint, pan and oven temperature.

Which part of goat is most tasty? ›

The loin is a premium goat meat cut known for its tenderness and mild flavor. It is best suited for quick cooking methods such as pan-searing, grilling, or broiling. Loin chops are popular and can be cooked to medium-rare or medium for optimal juiciness and flavor.

Can you overcook goat meat? ›

Goat has a great flavor but the small cuts are easy to over cook.

How long do you cook stew meat on stove for it to be tender? ›

Chuck meat is your best bet for beef stew, but it's also a pretty tough cut so it needs time to break down and become tender. Rush the cooking process and the beef will be tough and chewy. Follow this tip: For really tender meat, cook the stew low and slow, for approximately two hours.

How do you know when goat is cooked? ›

For safety, cook ground goat meat to 160 °F (71.1 °C) as measured with a food thermometer. Cook all raw goat beef steaks, chops, and roasts to a minimum internal temperature of 145 °F (62.8 °C) as measured with a food thermometer before removing meat from the heat source.

What is baby lamb called when you eat it? ›

Mutton refers to the flesh of the mature ram or ewe at least one year old; the meat of sheep between 12 and 20 months old may be called yearling mutton. The meat of sheep 6 to 10 weeks old is usually sold as baby lamb, and spring lamb is from sheep of age five to six months. rack of lamb. Category: Animals & Nature.

What are the three types of lamb? ›

LAMB - Milk Fed Lamb, Spring Lamb & Autumn Lamb

Lamb has three distinct age categories all bringing something different to the party particularly also when considering meal accompaniments.

What is the fancy name for lamb meat? ›

The Oxford dictionary defines lamb as 'a young sheep', or 'meat from a young sheep', while mutton is defined as 'meat from a fully grown sheep'. Meat from a sheep between the ages of one month and one year is served as lamb, while sheep older that one year is served as mutton.

What part of the lamb is lambs fry? ›

Lamb's fry is lamb offal served as food, including the testicl*s, liver, sweetbreads, heart, kidneys, and sometimes the brain and abdominal fat—or some combination thereof. In Australia and New Zealand, lamb's fry is specifically the liver; in the United States, "lamb fries" (q.v.) are specifically the testicl*s.

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