Svíčková (Czech Republic)

An authentic recipe for traditional Czech Svíčková, highlighting tender braised beef and a silky, spiced root vegetable cream sauce.

Level Hard Prep 40 min Cook 150 min Servings 6 Score 4.9/10

Ready in

190 min

Makes 6 servings

Prep 40m

Cook 150m

Level Hard

About this recipe

An authentic recipe for traditional Czech Svíčková, highlighting tender braised beef and a silky, spiced root vegetable cream sauce.

An iconic Czech celebration dish featuring braised beef in a luxurious cream and root vegetable sauce.

Lard the beef sirloin with strips of smoked bacon and season generously with salt.
In a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, melt lard or butter and sear the beef on all sides until well browned. Remove the beef and set aside.
In the same fat, sauté the chopped onions and grated root vegetables (carrots, parsley root, celeriac) until golden brown and fragrant.
Add whole black peppercorns, allspice berries, bay leaves, and dried thyme to the vegetables.
Return the seared beef to the pot, pour in the warm beef broth, cover, and simmer on low heat or bake in an oven at 325°F (160°C) for about 2 hours until the meat is fork-tender.
Remove the tender beef and strain the sauce, or blend the vegetables directly into the liquid for a thick sauce texture.
Stir in the heavy cream, bring to a gentle simmer, and adjust seasoning with lemon juice, sugar, and salt to achieve a balanced sweet-and-sour flavor profile.
Slice the beef and serve hot with the velvety cream sauce, bread dumplings, a dollop of cranberry sauce, and whipped cream.

Calories 480

Protein 28g

Carbs 32g

Fat 26g

Fiber 4g

Sugar 12g

Sodium 580mg

Serving Size 1 serving

Prep 40 min

Cook 150 min

Total 190 min

Overall 9.4 /10

Expert 4.9 95% conf.

Reviewed by FindEdition Kitchen

The crown jewel of Czech cuisine, offering an exquisite harmony of tender beef and creamy, spiced root vegetable sauce.

An iconic Czech celebration dish featuring braised beef in a luxurious cream and root vegetable sauce.

Summary

An authentic recipe for traditional Czech Svíčková, highlighting tender braised beef and a silky, spiced root vegetable cream sauce.

Blend the cooked root vegetables thoroughly for an ultra-smooth velvety sauce texture
Svíčková often tastes even better the next day after the flavors have fully melded together
Traditional presentation requires serving with a dollop of cranberry sauce and a tiny swirl of whipped cream