Carne de chivo guisado picante (spicy goat meat stew) is a recipe from the Northwest of the Dominican Republic, where goats are said to feed on wild oregano. This dish has become a delicacy enjoyed and appreciated throughout the whole country, and you can see here why.
By - Last reviewed . Published Dec 27, 2003
Why we ❤️ it
I have to admit that goat meat is not popular -- or even well-known -- in the Western World (1). I am not sure what the cause might be, perhaps goat meat does not lend itself to the type of economy of scale that is possible with beef.
In the Caribbean, however, this is not the case: goat meat is a popular choice, a special treat even. In the Dominican Republic, the Northwestern region is well-known for its famous dish: chivo liniero guisado picante (a curried goat meat dish), a spicy stew of tender and flavorful goat meat.
About goat meat
Goat meat is a national delicacy, but some regions of the country are famous for their production and preparation. In the Dominican Republic, the northwestern region is well known for its most famous dish: Chivo Liniero, a spicy stew of fragrant goat meat and full of flavor.
Goat meat has a stronger, gamier flavor than beef or pork, so it may be an acquired taste for some people.
The local legend is that goats feed on the wild oregano that grows in the hills of the area and the meat is infused with the flavors of oregano while the goat walks and breathes. How convenient!
And before any of you complain about it, I have to say that goat meat is also popular in the southwest of the country.
Goats are common in and around Azua, to the southwest of the country, which has a climate and vegetation very similar to those of Montecristi. And to recognize it, I also show it with the tasty Chenchén from this region.
Chivo guisado picante (spicy goat meat stew).
Serving suggestions
My go-to side dishes with chivo guisado are Moro de habichuelas rojas, or Moro de habichuelas negras, Tostones or Casabe, and avocado.
In the Southwest it is commonly served with Chenchén, y me encanta esta combinación con Arepitas de yuca (cassava fritters).
Top tips
- With this dish, you can go as spicy (or not) as you wish. Bear in mind that Scotch bonnets are insanely spicy. If you are not into spicy food, I suggest that you start with a quarter of it (no seeds) and go from there.
- Some people find goat meat a bit too "gamey" for their taste, especially if it comes from an old animal. One common solution is to add dry red wine or rum to the sauce. Please keep in mind that if you add rum, it is best not to serve it to children.
About this recipe
If I have learned something during my Montecristeña years, it is that there are no two people who have the same spicy goat meat recipes and that each one has a trick to cook goat meat stew that he swears is essential for a decent guiso de chivo. It is almost a matter of family pride.
I come from a family of farmers, my grandparents raised goats, and I grew up watching my mother cook it. We know what to make with goat meat (have you tried "cecina de chivo"?). This recipe I share is my family's, but it is not the best, nor the only one. There is no "best"; everyone has their own ideas of what makes the perfect goat stew. The secret of this culinary delight --aside from good goat meat-- is Dominican wild oregano and the fierce hot Scotch bonnet peppers (or habaneros, if that's what you have).
So if you want the original, The Best Chivo Guisado in the World® (I may be exaggerating, but only a little), travel to Montecristi, home of the goats raised in the hills, pre-seasoned, and full of flavor, and eat it there, by the sea.
This recipe is a good next option.
Video
Recipe
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Carne de Chivo Guisado [Recipe + Video] Spicy Goat Meat
Ingredients
- 2 limes, or 1 bitter orange cut into halves
- 4 pound bone-in goat meat, [1.8 kg] --or 2 lb [0.9 kg] of boneless meat-- cut into small pieces
- 1 red onion, diced
- 1½ teaspoons oregano (dry, ground)
- 2 tablespoon mashed garlic
- 1½ teaspoons salt, (or more, to taste)
- 3 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 cubanela (cubanelle pepper), chopped
- 4 plum tomato, diced
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup red wine, or a ¼ cup of rum (optional, see notes)
- ½ scotch bonnet pepper, (or 2 habaneros) finely chopped
- Parsley, or cilantro to garnish
Instructions
1. Rinsing meat
Add the juice of the limes (or bitter oranges on the meat). Stir to coat all the meat. Let it rest for 15 mins.Once the 15 minutes have passed, take the meat out of the liquids, and discard the liquid.
2. Seasoning meat
- Add the onion, oregano, garlic, and a teaspoon of salt. Stir to combine. Marinate covered in the fridge for an hour, overnight is better.
3. Browning meat
- Heat the oil in a deep-bottomed pot over high heat. Add just the meat to the oil (set aside onions and juices released by the meat in the marinade).The meat will release some liquid when heated, cook and stir until all the liquid has evaporated, and the meat is browned.
4. Simmering
- Add 2 tablespoons of water, lower heat to medium-low, stir and cover. Every 5 minutes add water and stir, cover again and repeat until the meat is very tender (30 to 60 minutes), depending on the quality of the meat.
5. Cooking vegetables
- Cooking vegetables: Once the meat is tender add the onions (and meat juices), tomato, and cubanela.Cover and simmer until the vegetables are cooked-through (5 minutes).
6. Making sauce
- Pour in the tomato sauce, stir to combine.Add wine and 1½ cups of water. Simmer and reduce to a thick sauce. Season with salt to taste if you find it necessary and simmer until liquid is reduced to a thin sauce.
7. Serving
Decorate with parsley or cilantro leaves. Check above the recipe for serving suggestions.
Cook's Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is calculated automatically based on ingredients listed. Please consult your doctor if you need precise nutrition information.
More goat meat recipes
You can find our favorite goat meat recipes; besides Chivo Guisado, we have a Carne salada recipe that can be made with goat meat, and Sancocho de siete carnes, which contains goat meat.
You can also see our other meat recipes.
References
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