Lagarto Cozido

Experience the comforting flavors of Brazilian home cooking with Lagarto Cozido, a hearty dish centered around tender, slow-cooked beef eye round (lagarto) immersed in a savory broth. This recipe combines the richness of seared beef with the earthy sweetness of carrots, potatoes, and celery, complemented by the subtle aromatics of bay leaves, garlic, and onions. Tomato paste adds a robust depth to the broth, while a sprinkle of fresh parsley brightens the dish. With just 20 minutes of prep time and a slow simmer over two hours, this one-pot wonder yields melt-in-your-mouth beef and perfectly stewed vegetables. Ideal for family dinners or cozy gatherings, Lagarto Cozido is a soul-warming meal that’s as satisfying as it is flavorful. Add this traditional Brazilian recipe to your culinary repertoire for a taste of comfort that’s hard to resist!

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:150 mins

Total Time:170 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1.5 kg beef eye round (lagarto)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1.5 liters beef stock
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 large carrots, sliced
• 4 potatoes, peeled and halved
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Begin by seasoning the beef eye round with salt and black pepper on all sides.

Step 2

In a large Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef and sear each side until evenly browned, about 4 minutes per side. Remove the beef from the pot and set aside.

Step 3

In the same pot, lower the heat to medium and add the chopped onions. Sauté until translucent, approximately 5 minutes.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in the tomato paste, allowing it to cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.

Step 6

Pour in the beef stock to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.

Step 7

Return the beef to the pot. Add the bay leaves, sliced carrots, potatoes, chopped celery, and chopped red bell pepper.

Step 8

Ensure the beef and vegetables are mostly submerged in the liquid. If necessary, add a little water to cover.

Step 9

Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for approximately 2 to 2.5 hours or until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.

Step 10

Once cooked, remove the beef from the pot and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.

Step 11

Discard the bay leaves and ladle the broth and vegetables into bowls.

Step 12

Slice the beef and serve it over the broth and vegetables, garnished with chopped fresh parsley.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(4483.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3343.3

Total Fat 108.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 31.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.1g
Cholesterol 1050mg	0%
Sodium 11534.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 170.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 32.2g	0%
Total Sugars 36.0g
Protein 430.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 698.6mg	0%
Iron 54.2mg	0%
Potassium 11607.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 28.8%

Protein: 50.9%

Carbs: 20.2%