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Chivo en Coco

Tender goat meat simmered in a fragrant coconut sauce — the signature dish of Venezuela’s Falcón coast.

⏱ 25 minPrep time
🔥 2 hrsCook time
🍽 6Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
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Chivo en Coco

Chivo en coco is a proud specialty of Venezuela’s Caribbean coast, especially the state of Falcón, where goat and coconut grow in abundance. The meat is braised low and slow with a sofrito and coconut milk until it is fall-apart tender, scented with cilantro and sweet peppers.

The coast, slow-cooked in coconut

The sauce is creamy, gently sweet, and deeply savory, clinging to pieces of goat that pull apart at the touch of a fork. It is rustic and comforting, usually served with rice, arepas, or fried plantains.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Season the goat with the salt, cumin, and paprika.
  2. Heat the oil in a heavy pot over medium-high heat and brown the meat in batches, about 8 minutes total; set aside.
  3. In the same pot, cook the onion, garlic, and bell pepper 8 minutes until soft; add the tomatoes and cook 5 minutes more.
  4. Return the meat with the lime juice and coconut milk, adding enough water to barely cover.
  5. Simmer covered over low heat for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the meat is very tender and the sauce is thick and creamy.
  6. Stir in the cilantro, taste for salt, and serve with rice, tajadas, or arepas.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Goat is lean, so do not rush the braise — the low, slow simmer is what makes it tender. Lamb is the closest substitute if goat is hard to find; the dish freezes well for up to 3 months.

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Recipe details

Prep25 min
Cook2 hrs
Servings6
CategoryDinner
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →