Chilean Curanto (Steamed Seafood and Meat Feast)

Curanto is one of Chile’s great communal feasts, traditionally centred on layers of seafood, meat, potatoes and vegetables cooked together so their juices mingle. This pot-style version captures that generous spirit in a practical kitchen format: pork belly and bone-in chicken steam over cabbage, potatoes, onion and garlic, while clams and mussels are added near the end so they stay tender and briny. Dry white wine forms a savoury broth at the bottom of the pot, perfect for spooning over each serving. It is hearty, deeply savoury and best brought to the table as a shared, rustic main course.
Cuisine style Chilean coastal comfort food
Flavor profile Savoury • Briny • Umami-rich
Techniques Steaming • Simmering • Layering
Key equipment Large pot
Cooking style One-pot cooking • Crowd-friendly • Minimal cleanup
Time commitment Under 2 hours

Why this recipe works

  • Layered savoury depth: Pork, chicken, shellfish, cabbage and potatoes cook together, seasoning the broth as they steam.
  • One-pot structure: The ingredients are layered by cooking time, so the meat and vegetables tenderise before the shellfish is added.
  • Steamed feast format: A covered pot recreates the generous, steam-cooked character of curanto in a practical kitchen-friendly way.

Get the most out of this recipe

Authenticity notes

  • Chilean roots: Curanto is strongly associated with southern Chile, especially Chiloé, where seafood, meat and potatoes are traditionally cooked together.
  • Pot-based version: This version uses a large covered pot rather than an earth oven, keeping the same layered steaming principle for everyday cooking.
  • Serve generously: Bring the pot to the table or portion directly from it, making sure each serving gets meat, shellfish, vegetables and broth.

Timing notes

  • Prep first: Have the shellfish cleaned, vegetables cut and meat seasoned before heating the pot, as the cooking moves in stages.
  • Serve soon after steaming: Curanto is best served shortly after the shellfish opens, while the broth is hot and the seafood is still tender.
  • Keep the short rest: Resting the covered pot off the heat lets the juices settle without cooling the dish too much.

Common mistakes

  • Boiling too hard: Once the pot reaches a simmer, keep the heat low so the wine creates steam rather than aggressively boiling the layers.
  • Adding shellfish too early: Clams and mussels only need the final steam; adding them at the start can make them tough.
  • Keeping unopened shellfish: Discard any clams or mussels that do not open after cooking, as they should not be served.

Ingredient notes

  • Use live shellfish: Choose clams and mussels that are closed or close when tapped, and discard any cracked shells before cooking.
  • Cut vegetables large: Chunky potatoes and thick cabbage wedges hold their shape better during the long covered steam.
  • Dry white wine matters: Use a dry white wine rather than a sweet one, as it forms the base of the savoury cooking juices.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Rinse the clams and mussels in cold water, discarding any that are cracked or stay open when tapped. Peel and thickly slice the onion, and peel and lightly crush the garlic. Scrub the potatoes and cut them into large chunks; cut the cabbage into thick wedges.
  2. Cut the pork belly into large pieces. Season the pork and chicken thighs all over with the fine sea salt and black pepper.
  3. Put half the onion and garlic in the bottom of a large pot, then layer in the potatoes and cabbage. Add the pork belly and chicken, then scatter over the remaining onion and garlic. Pour in the dry white wine.
  4. Cover and bring to a steady simmer over medium heat, then reduce to low so it gently steams. Cook for 35 minutes, keeping the lid on so the pot stays steamy. The potatoes should be starting to turn tender and the chicken should be mostly cooked through.
  5. Lift the lid and quickly add the clams and mussels on top, then cover again. Steam for 8 to 12 minutes, until the shells have opened and the chicken is cooked through. Discard any shellfish that do not open.
  6. Rest the pot off the heat for 5 minutes, still covered, to let the juices settle. Roughly chop the parsley and scatter it over the top. Serve straight from the pot, spooning the winey juices over each portion.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • Keep the heat low once simmering so the wine steams the layers rather than boiling them; this helps the meats stay tender.
  • If using shellfish, it is safest for pregnant people, young children, older adults, and anyone immunocompromised to eat only shellfish that is thoroughly cooked and piping hot.

Substitutions

  • Replace Dry White Wine with the same amount of water for a non-alcoholic version; season with a little extra Fine sea salt to taste.
  • Replace Fresh parsley with Fresh coriander for a more herbal finish.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 2 days
  • Cool quickly, then refrigerate in a covered container. Reheat gently in a covered pot over low heat with a splash of water until piping hot; remove and discard any shellfish that has been stored out of its shell.

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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Total time: 1h 30min (25min active)
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Cuisine: Latin American
  • Allergens:
    Molluscs
One pot

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