Finnish Reindeer Tender Stew (Printable)

Slow-cooked reindeer meat with onions, spices, and sour cream served alongside lingonberries and mashed potatoes.

# Ingredient List:

→ Meat & Dairy

01 - 1.76 pounds thinly sliced reindeer meat (substitute venison or beef if unavailable)
02 - 2 tablespoons butter
03 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
04 - ⅔ cup sour cream

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

05 - 2 medium onions, thinly sliced
06 - 2 garlic cloves, minced

→ Liquids

07 - 1¼ cups beef or game stock (gluten-free if necessary)
08 - ⅓ cup water

→ Seasonings

09 - 1 teaspoon salt
10 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
11 - 2 bay leaves
12 - 5 juniper berries, lightly crushed (optional)

→ For Serving

13 - 3.5 ounces lingonberry preserves or fresh lingonberries
14 - Mashed potatoes (traditional accompaniment)

# Directions:

01 - Heat butter and vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
02 - Add the sliced reindeer meat in batches and brown lightly on all sides. Remove and set aside.
03 - In the same pot, add onions and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes; stir in garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.
04 - Return the browned meat to the pot. Season with salt, pepper, bay leaves, and optional juniper berries.
05 - Pour in beef or game stock and water. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 1 hour 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until meat is very tender.
06 - Remove lid and cook for 10 more minutes to slightly reduce the liquid.
07 - Stir in sour cream and heat through for 2 to 3 minutes. Adjust seasoning as needed.
08 - Serve hot with mashed potatoes and a generous spoonful of lingonberry preserves.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sour cream transforms a simple braise into something luxuriously creamy without feeling heavy.
  • Lingonberries provide that crucial tart pop that makes your palate sing and keeps you coming back for another spoonful.
  • It's naturally gluten-free and packed with protein, so it feels indulgent without any guilt.
02 -
  • Never add the sour cream to a boiling stew or it will break and curdle—always wait until the very end and keep the heat gentle.
  • Juniper berries are worth seeking out; they transform this from good to authentically Nordic, and you can find them at specialty spice shops or online.
  • Crushing the juniper berries lightly before adding them releases their oils and makes their flavor bloom throughout the stew.
03 -
  • Use a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven so the heat distributes evenly and nothing scorches on the bottom during that long simmer.
  • Don't skip the resting period after browning the meat—it gives the Maillard reaction time to fully develop, which means deeper, more complex flavor in your final stew.
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