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BEEF MECHADO (Filipino Beef Stew)

Posted on July 3, 2025

Tender beef simmered in a rich tomato sauce with potatoes and carrots—comfort food at its finest!


🥘 Ingredients

Main

  • 1.5 lbs (700g) beef chuck (or round), cut into chunks

  • 3 tbsp soy sauce

  • 3 tbsp calamansi juice (or lemon juice)

  • 1 tsp ground black pepper

Aromatics & Sauce

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 large onion, sliced

  • 2 cups tomato sauce (or 4 ripe tomatoes, blended)

  • 1 cup beef broth (or water)

  • 2 bay leaves

  • 1 tbsp fish sauce (optional, for depth)

  • 1 tsp sugar (balances acidity)

Vegetables

  • 2 potatoes, cubed

  • 1 large carrot, sliced

  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced (optional)

For Cooking

  • 3 tbsp cooking oil


👩🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Marinate beef: Mix beef with soy sauce, calamansi juice, and pepper. Marinate 30 mins (or overnight for best flavor).
2️⃣ Sear beef: Heat oil, brown beef in batches. Set aside.
3️⃣ Sauté aromatics: In same pot, cook garlic and onion until soft.
4️⃣ Simmer:

  • Add back beef, tomato sauce, broth, bay leaves, fish sauce, and sugar.

  • Bring to a boil, then lower heat. Cover and simmer 1.5–2 hours until beef is tender (add water if needed).
    5️⃣ Add veggies: Stir in potatoes and carrots. Cook 15 mins. Add bell pepper last (5 mins).
    6️⃣ Serve hot with steamed rice!


💡 Pro Tips

✔ Tender hack: Use a pressure cooker (30 mins high pressure).
✔ Extra rich: Add liver spread or tomato paste.
✔ No tomato sauce? Use 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste + 1 cup water.


🌟 Why It’s a Classic

✅ Sweet-savory-tangy sauce clings to every bite.
✅ One-pot wonder—perfect for family meals.
✅ Better the next day (flavor deepens!).

Pair with: Garlic fried rice (sinangag) and pickled papaya (atchara)!

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