Spezzatino di Vitello (Italian Veal Stew)

Spezzatino di vitello is a northern Italian-style veal stew centred on slow, gentle braising rather than heavy seasoning. Small pieces of veal shoulder become tender in a savoury base of onion, carrot and celery, with white wine adding brightness and beef stock giving the sauce depth. A little tomato purée enriches the colour without turning it into a tomato-led stew. The finished dish should be soft, glossy and well rounded, with enough sauce to spoon over polenta, mashed potatoes or crusty bread. It is a practical make-ahead dinner, as the flavours settle well after resting and reheating.
Cuisine style Italian home cooking
Flavor profile Rich • Savoury • Gently wine-braised
Techniques Browning • Gentle simmering
Key equipment Dutch oven • Stovetop
Cooking style One-pot cooking • Make-ahead friendly • Freezer-friendly
Time commitment Slow-cooked

Why this recipe works

  • Layered savoury base: Browning the veal first creates fond in the pot, while the softened onion, carrot and celery build a classic aromatic foundation.
  • Gentle braising: Slow simmering suits veal shoulder, giving the meat time to become tender while the stock, wine and tomato purée form a rounded sauce.
  • One-pot depth: The vegetables, wine reduction and braising liquid all cook in the same pot, so the stew keeps the flavour developed at each stage.

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Ingredient notes

  • Use veal shoulder: Boneless veal shoulder is well suited to slow braising because it becomes tender without losing its structure in the sauce.
  • Keep the flour coating light: A thin coating helps the veal brown and gives the sauce body; too much flour can make the stew feel heavy.
  • Reduce the wine properly: Letting the white wine simmer before adding the stock softens its sharpness and leaves a more balanced savoury flavour.

Common mistakes

  • Do not crowd the veal: Brown the meat in batches so it sears rather than steams; this is key to a deeper-tasting stew.
  • Avoid a hard boil: Keep the pot at a gentle simmer. Boiling too vigorously can make the veal less tender and reduce the sauce unevenly.
  • Do not rush the braise: The stew is ready when the veal is very tender, not simply when the liquid has reduced.

Make-ahead tips

  • Good made ahead: The flavour deepens after resting, making this a useful stew to cook in advance for the next day.
  • Reheat gently: Warm the stew slowly on the hob with a little extra stock if needed, until piping hot throughout.
  • Freezes well: Cool completely before freezing, then defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Cut the veal into bite-sized chunks. Season with the fine sea salt and black pepper, then toss with the plain flour to lightly coat.
  2. Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the veal in batches for 6 to 8 minutes per batch until well coloured, then transfer to a plate.
  3. Lower the heat to medium. Finely chop the yellow onion, carrot and celery, then cook in the pot for 8 to 10 minutes until softened and lightly golden, scraping up any browned bits.
  4. Stir in the tomato purée and cook for 1 minute. Pour in the dry white wine and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until reduced by about half.
  5. Return the veal to the pot and add the bay leaves. Pour in the beef stock, bring to a gentle simmer, then cover and cook on low for 70 to 80 minutes until the veal is very tender.
  6. Uncover and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes to thicken slightly, if needed. Taste and adjust with a little more fine sea salt and black pepper, then remove the bay leaves before serving.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • Brown the veal in batches and avoid crowding the pot, so it sears rather than steams.
  • Keep the stew at a gentle simmer, not a rapid boil, for the most tender result.
  • If serving vulnerable groups, ensure the stew is simmered until the veal is fully cooked and piping hot throughout.

Substitutions

  • Replace Dry White Wine with the same amount of Beef stock for an alcohol-free braise.
  • Replace Plain flour with rice flour for a similar thickening effect.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat gently on the hob over low heat with a splash of beef stock until piping hot; freeze for up to 3 months and defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.

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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Total time: 2h (30min active)
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Allergens:
    Gluten Wheat
One pot Freezer friendly Kid friendly

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