Beef Caldereta is simmered to tenderness in a spicy tomato sauce. Chockful of potatoes, bell peppers, and green olives, this classic Filipino stew is hearty, tasty, and perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
What is Caldereta
Calderata, from the word caldera, meaning cauldron, is another example of the many Spanish influences in Filipino cuisine. While similar to afritada and mechado in preparation and use of tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers, this hearty beef stew also includes liver spread and shredded cheese to thicken the sauce and chili peppers to add spice.
Kaldereta is traditionally made of goat meat and is usually prepared for holidays and special occasions. It's commonly served at parties and get-togethers as an appetizer (pulutan) to accompany beer or stiff drinks. Over the years, however, the dish has evolved into a regular dinner fixture, using more accessible meats such as pork, chicken, and beef.
What Cuts of Beef to Use for Kalderetang Baka
For best results, use tough, leaner cuts from the front shoulder or the back muscle, which don't have a lot of fat but plenty of collagen-rich connective tissues.
I like bottom rounds for kalderata and other braised dishes, but chuck, bottom eye, and rump roasts are excellent choices. These meats are cheaper and break into melt-in-your-mouth, richly-flavored bites over the low and slow cooking process.
Although most supermarkets sell already cut "beef stew" meat, I prefer to buy the whole roast and cut it myself. The packaged beef stew meat is usually made up of scraps from various cuts of beef and might cook differently.
Cooking tips
- To make slicing the roast easier, freeze for a few minutes until partially firm. Cut into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking and trim off as much of the gristle, which can be too tough to chew.
- Give the beef a nice sear to maximize flavor.
- I like to briefly pan-fry the potatoes and carrots; this simple step helps them hold shape and keep them from falling apart when simmered in the stew.
- If you want to tone down the spice, scrape off the seeds and veins of the chili peppers before mincing.
How to serve and store
- Kalderetang baka is delicious as a main dish with steamed rice or as a pulutan with your favorite stiff drinks.
- Store leftovers in a container with a lid and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
More dinner recipes
Ingredients
- ยผ cup canola oil
- 2 large potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch cubes
- 2 large carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch cubes
- 1 onion, peeled and chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 2 pounds bottom round roast, cut into 2-inch cubes
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups water
- 10 Thai chili peppers, minced
- ยฝ cup green olives, pitted
- ยฝ cup liver spread
- ยฝ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 small green bell pepper, seeded, cored and cut into cubes
- 1 small red bell pepper, seeded, cored and cut into cubes
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a wide pan over medium heat, heat oil. Add potatoes and carrots and cook until lightly browned. Remove from pot and drain on paper towels.
- Remove oil from the pan except for about 2 tablespoons. Add onions and garlic and cook until softened.
- Add beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned.
- Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, and chili peppers. Bring to a boil, skimming scum that may float on top.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Lower heat, cover, and cook for about 1 to 1 ยฝ hours or until beef is tender.ย
- Add potatoes, carrots, and continue to cook until tender.
- Add liver spread and cheese, stirring to combine until well-distributed. Continue to cook until cheese is melted and sauce is thickened.
- Add bell peppers and olives cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until tender yet crisp. Serve hot.
Notes
Video
Nutrition Information
โThis website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.โ
Cherry mae says
Looks yummy and delicious!!!
Tina says
I love this dish, but what really completed it for me was adding a bit of peanut butter at the end.
Thanks for the recipe:)
Bianca says
This looks delicious and thank you for posting.
I am in the UK and struggling to know what to buy for the tomato sauce or paste. Could someone please advise me what brand to buy? Thankyou x
Rosalyn Stenton-Dozey says
My other halfโs favourite! Absolutely loves this recipe
Nella says
Hi, can I add pineapple juice and pickle relish? Would that alter the taste?
Irish says
The recipe is good and easy to follow, but I don't like that you're not able to adjust the number of servings anymore.
Lalaine Manalo says
You can still adjust number of servings. My recipe card was not updated that's why the feature wasn't available. Fixed now ๐