Main Course · Dinner · Eastern European ·

Zesty Croatian Čobanac Stew

Name: Zesty Croatian Čobanac Stew
Prep time: 70 min
Cook time: 210 min
Total time: 280 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: Pork shoulder, 1 kg, cubed; Sweet paprika, 2 tbsp; Hot paprika, 1 tbsp; Garlic, 2 cloves, minced; Olive oil, 1/4 cup; Salt and pepper, To taste; Onions, 2 large, finely chopped; Carrots, 2, sliced; Potatoes, 2, cubed; Red bell pepper, 1, chopped; Green bell pepper, 1, chopped; Tomatoes, 2, peeled and diced; Beef stock, 4 cups; Bay leaves, 2; Salt and pepper, To taste; Fresh parsley, 1/4 cup, chopped; Apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp; Chili flakes, Optional, for added heat

Dive into this comforting and flavorful Croatian classic, perfect for family gatherings or a cozy night in.

4.8(373 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·October 9, 2025

Zesty Croatian Čobanac Stew — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

1 h 10 min

Cook

3 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Marinade

For the Stew

For the Finishing Touch

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 588 kcal
Protein: 44.92 g
Carbs: 26.67 g
Fat: 33.02 g
Fiber: 3.18 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 3530 kcal
Protein: 269.5 g
Carbs: 160 g
Fat: 198.1 g
Fiber: 19.1 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Pork shoulder 1 kg, cubed	2420	220	0	180	0
Sweet paprika 2 tbsp	18	1	4	0.6	2
Hot paprika 1 tbsp	9	0.5	2	0.3	1
Garlic 2 cloves, minced	9	0.5	2	0	0.1
Olive oil 1/4 cup	480	0	0	54	0
Salt and pepper To taste	0	0	0	0	0
Onions 2 large, finely chopped	100	2	24	0	4
Carrots 2, sliced	50	1	12	0.2	4
Potatoes 2, cubed	258	6	60	0.3	6
Red bell pepper 1, chopped	37	1	9	0.4	3
Green bell pepper 1, chopped	30	1	7	0.2	1
Tomatoes 2, peeled and diced	44	2	10	0.5	2
Beef stock 4 cups	40	3	2	2	0
Bay leaves 2	0	0	0	0	0
Salt and pepper To taste	0	0	0	0	0
Fresh parsley 1/4 cup, chopped	1	0.1	0.2	0	0.1
Apple cider vinegar 1 tbsp	3	0	0	0	0
Chili flakes Optional, for added heat	0	0	0	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Pork

1
Combine Ingredients
In a bowl, combine cubed pork with sweet and hot paprika, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
2
Mix Well
Mix well to coat the pork evenly.
3
Chill
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for deeper flavor.
Tip: Ensure all meat is properly marinated for optimal flavor infusion.

Preparing the Vegetables

1
Chop Veggies
Prepare all vegetables: chop onions, slice carrots, cube potatoes, and chop bell peppers.
2
Dice Tomatoes
Peel and dice tomatoes.
3
Set Aside
Set aside, keeping each ingredient separate.
Tip: Dice vegetables uniformly for even cooking.

How to Make Zesty Croatian Čobanac Stew

Total time: 4 h 40 min · Yields 6 servings

1
Brown the Pork
In a large pot, sauté marinated pork cubes over medium-high heat until nicely browned. Remove and set aside.
2
Sauté the Vegetables
In the same pot, add onions, carrots, and bell peppers. Sauté until onions are translucent.
3
Simmer the Stew
Return pork to the pot, add tomatoes, and pour in beef stock. Add bay leaves, and let simmer on low heat for 2 hours.