Beef Mechado

Ingredients

  • 1 kg beef chuck or brisket, cut into large chunks
  • 2 tbsp cooking oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 1 large carrot, peeled and sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp calamansi juice (or lemon juice)
  • 1 cup beef broth (or water)
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, marinate the beef with soy sauce, calamansi juice, and black pepper for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Heat cooking oil in a pot over medium heat. Sear the beef until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
  3. In the same pot, sauté onion and garlic until fragrant. Add tomatoes and cook until softened.
  4. Return the beef to the pot. Stir in tomato paste and bay leaf.
  5. Pour in beef broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours or until beef is tender.
  6. Add potatoes and carrots. Continue cooking until vegetables are tender.
  7. Add bell peppers, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, and simmer for another 3–5 minutes.
  8. Serve hot with steamed rice.

If you want, I can also give you a Filipino-style version with lardons (pork fat strips) stuffed inside the beef for extra flavor. That’s the traditional way. Would you like me to make that version too?

Leave a Comment