Portuguese Main
Espetada Madeirense
Madeiran beef skewers rubbed with garlic and bay, grilled over fierce heat.
25 minsPrep time
12 minsCook time
Serves 4Servings
EasyDifficulty
Nutrition
Estimated nutrition per serving
These figures are estimates per serving. Actual nutrition can vary with the brands and exact amounts you use, how much oil, dressing or sauce is absorbed, any substitutions or added extras, and the portion size served.A practical guide for comparing recipes and planning meals.
620Calories
35gProtein
48gCarbs
31gFat
Ingredients
What you need
- 800 beef sirloin, 4 cm cubes
- 20 Garlic, crushed
- 6 bay leaves, finely crumbled
- 12 coarse sea salt
- 30 olive oil
- 15 red wine vinegar
Method
Step-by-step method
Follow the recipe in order, tasting and adjusting seasoning where needed.
- Cut beef into even 4 cm cubes and pat dry. Mix garlic, bay, salt, oil and vinegar. Coat beef and marinate 1 hour.
- Thread onto metal or soaked wooden skewers, leaving a few millimetres between pieces for heat circulation.
- Heat grill or barbecue to very high heat. Grill 2–3 minutes per side, turning to brown all faces.
- For medium-rare, remove at 54–56°C; for medium, 58–60°C. Rest 6 minutes.
- Serve hanging if traditional equipment is available, with juices dripping onto bread or potatoes.
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Tips, storage and serving advice
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Make ahead
Storage and reheating
Wine pairing
What to drink with Espetada Madeirense
These are wine-style pairings, so you can choose any bottle in that style rather than needing one exact producer. Look for the grape, region or style name on the label.Pairings are chosen around the dish’s flavour, texture, richness, acidity and cooking style, not just the country it comes from.
#1
Excellent match
Red
Douro Red
Why it works:
- Flavour bridge: dark fruit, spice and savoury notes mirror browned meat and roasting flavours
- Acidity: Sufficient acidity keeps a rich meat dish energetic
- Body: Medium-full to full body matches the weight of the meat
- Tannin: Firm tannin is buffered by protein and fat
- Sweetness: Dry style maintains a savoury finish
- Best for: Dinner, entertaining or recipe pairing
#2
Great match
Red
Cabernet Sauvignon / Bordeaux
Why it works:
- Flavour bridge: dark fruit, spice and savoury notes mirror browned meat and roasting flavours
- Acidity: Sufficient acidity keeps a rich meat dish energetic
- Body: Medium-full to full body matches the weight of the meat
- Tannin: Firm tannin is buffered by protein and fat
- Sweetness: Dry style maintains a savoury finish
- Best for: Dinner, entertaining or recipe pairing
#3
Interesting match
Red
Malbec
Why it works:
- Flavour bridge: dark fruit, spice and savoury notes mirror browned meat and roasting flavours
- Acidity: Sufficient acidity keeps a rich meat dish energetic
- Body: Medium-full to full body matches the weight of the meat
- Tannin: Firm tannin is buffered by protein and fat
- Sweetness: Dry style maintains a savoury finish
- Best for: Dinner, entertaining or recipe pairing
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