Authentic Filipino Beef Kare-Kare 🥘 (Peanut Stew Classic)

What is Filipino Beef Kare-Kare?

Beef kare-kare is a Filipino stew made with tender beef, vegetables, and a thick peanut sauce.

It is typically served with rice and is a popular dish for special occasions such as fiestas and family gatherings.

The sauce is made from ground peanuts, toasted rice, and other flavorful ingredients such as garlic, onions, and annatto powder.

The vegetables used in the dish include pumpkin, eggplant, long beans, bok choy or Chinese cabbage, and banana blossom.

Ingredients Needed

For the Meat

• 1kg beef chunks, with a bit of marbling
• 400g beef tripe
• 6 cloves garlic
• 2 onions, cut in chunks
• 4 pieces bay leaves
• 1/4 tbsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 tbsp salt
• 1/4 cup vinegar

For the Sauce

• 30g butter
• 30g cooking oil
• 2 tbsp annatto powder
• 1 tbsp shrimp paste
• 5 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 red onions, chopped
• 1 litre beef stock
• 150g peanut butter
• 1 tbsp fish sauce, to taste
• 4 tbsp rice flour
• 4 tbsp cold water
• 1 tbsp vinegar, to taste

For the Vegetables

• 200g pumpkin, chopped
• 200g eggplant, chunks
• 200g banana blossom, chopped
• 200g Chinese cabbage, whole
• 200g long beans, cut into 2-inch pieces

How to Cook Beef Kare-Kare

Preparing the Meat

1. In a pressure cooker, combine beef and the rest of the ingredients to make a stock. Simmer for around 1 hour or until the beef is tender.
2. Drain the meat and cover in plastic wrap to ensure it does not dry out.
3. Reserve the beef stock to make the Kare-Kare sauce.

Making the Peanut Sauce

1. In a large sauce pan or Dutch oven, sauté the garlic, onions annatto powder and shrimp paste with the butter and cooking oil.
2. Thicken the sauce with some rice flour slurry. Add more as needed.
3. Once the onions and garlic are soft and fragrant, add the beef and tripe chunks as well as the hardest vegetables like the pumpkin and continue to simmer.
4. Finally, when the pumpkin is slightly cooked, add the remaining vegetables and simmer until all the vegetables are cooked and tender.

Tips for a more Delicious Beef Kare-Kare

• Use high-quality beef for a more flavorful and tender dish. Chef RV suggests to use beef chunks with a bit of marbling between the meat which helps to keep the beef tender.
• If you have time, instead of using peanut butter, you can make your own by first toasting some peanuts then grinding them to a paste. Similarly, you can make your own rice flour by toasting some raw rice then blitzing them to make a fine powder. Toasting the peanuts and rice intensifies their flavours.
• Don't overcook the vegetables to maintain their texture and color.
• You can add more vegetables such as cabbage, okra, or string beans to the dish to make it even more nutritious.
• Some recipes call for oxtail instead of beef tripe or chuck, so you can also try using that for a different flavor and texture.
• You can also adjust the amount of peanut butter and toasted rice powder to your liking. Some prefer a thicker sauce, while others prefer it to be more runny.

Nutritional Benefits of Beef Kare-Kare

This recipe will yield about 8 servings, with each serving weighing roughly 450 grams.

• Calories: 520
• Total Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Cholesterol: 85mg
• Sodium: 1000mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 30g
• Dietary Fiber: 6g
• Sugars: 7g
• Protein: 40g

Please note: The following nutrition facts are estimates based on the ingredients provided.

Beef kare-kare is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients.

Here are some of the nutritional benefits of this dish:

• Protein: Beef is a good source of protein, which is essential for building and repairing muscles, bones, and other tissues in the body.
• Vitamins and minerals: The vegetables used in beef kare-kare, such as eggplant, long beans, and bok choy, are rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin A, and iron.
• Fiber: Vegetables are also a good source of fiber, which can help promote digestive health and prevent constipation.
• Healthy fats: The peanut sauce in beef kare-kare is made from ground peanuts, which are a good source of healthy fats such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

Final Thoughts

Beef kare-kare is a delicious and nutritious dish that is perfect for any occasion.

With its savory peanut sauce and tender beef, it is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

Follow the simple steps outlined in this article to make your own beef kare-kare at home and enjoy its rich flavors and health benefits.

FAQs

1. Can I use chicken instead of beef for kare-kare?

   Yes, you can substitute beef with chicken if you prefer.

2. Is beef kare-kare spicy?

   No, it is not typically spicy. However, you can add chili flakes or hot sauce if you prefer it to be spicy.

3. Can I make beef kare-kare in advance?

   Yes, you can make beef kare-kare in advance and reheat it when ready to serve. The flavors may even deepen and improve after being refrigerated.

4. Can I freeze leftover beef kare-kare?

   Yes, you can freeze leftover beef kare-kare for up to 3 months.

5. What are some other traditional Filipino dishes I can try?

   Some other popular Filipino dishes include adobo, sinigang, and lechon.