Description
Beef Mechado is a flavorful Filipino dish featuring tender beef chunks cooked in a rich tomato sauce with sweet vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and bell peppers, giving you a satisfying and hearty meal.
Ingredients
1 kilo beef chunks
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons calamansi juice
1 teaspoon black pepper
Red and green bell peppers
2 medium potatoes
1 medium carrot
5 cloves garlic
1 medium onion
3 large tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
Enough water to cook beef
2 dried bay leaves
1 piece beef broth cube (optional)
Cooking oil for searing
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the beef chunks, soy sauce, calamansi juice, and half a teaspoon of black pepper. Mix well and marinate the beef for at least 1 hour.
- In a pan, heat cooking oil. Quickly sear the bell peppers for about 1 minute, then remove them and set aside. Sear the potatoes and carrots until they are slightly browned. Set them aside.
- Remove the beef chunks from the marinade. In the same pan, sear the beef until it turns brown. Do this in batches to avoid too much water being released. Once browned, remove the beef from the pan and set it aside.
- In the same pan, sauté the garlic and onion until fragrant. Add the tomatoes and sauté until they break down and soften. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, then add the browned beef. Sauté briefly to combine.
- Add enough water to the pan to cook the beef. Add the beef broth cube (optional) and the dried bay leaves. Cover and cook over low to medium heat until the beef becomes tender.
- Once the beef is tender, taste and adjust seasoning, adding sugar or salt to your preference. Then, add the potatoes and carrots, and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.
- Finally, add the seared bell peppers and let everything simmer together. Once done, your Beef Mechado is ready to serve!
Notes
- For extra flavor, add spices like paprika or chili pepper for a mild kick.
- Beef brisket or chuck are great alternatives for the beef chunks if you prefer a different texture.
- This dish can be made ahead of time and will taste even better the next day.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, let the dish simmer uncovered for a longer time or use cornstarch mixed with water.
- You can also use a slow cooker by following the same instructions and cooking on low for 6-8 hours.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour (or 30-45 minutes in a pressure cooker)
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Filipino
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
