Description
A hearty and flavorful Filipino beef stew, Simple Beef Mechado features tender beef simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce with aromatic garlic and onion, complemented by potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers. This comforting dish is perfect for a satisfying meal and captures classic Filipino home-cooking flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Vegetables
- 1 lb beef, cut into cubes
- 1 potato, peeled and diced
- 1 carrot, peeled and sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
Aromatics
- 1 onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce and Seasoning
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp vinegar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a pot, heat a small amount of oil and sauté the minced garlic and sliced onion until fragrant and translucent, building a flavorful base for the stew.
- Brown the Beef: Add the beef cubes to the pot and cook, turning to brown all sides. This step helps to seal in the juices and develop a rich flavor.
- Add Liquids and Seasoning: Pour in the tomato sauce, beef broth, soy sauce, and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer Beef: Cover the pot and allow the beef to simmer gently for 1 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender and the flavors have melded together perfectly.
- Cook Vegetables: Add the diced potatoes, sliced carrots, and red bell pepper to the pot. Continue cooking until the vegetables are tender but intact, typically about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Serve: Once the vegetables are cooked through, serve the Beef Mechado hot. It pairs well with steamed rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, brown the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot.
- Adjust vinegar amount based on your preferred sourness level.
- Stewing times may vary depending on the cut of beef; use a fork to test tenderness.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce if you want to control salt content.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day as the flavors develop further.
