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
- ¼ 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
- ½ cup green olives, pitted
- ½ cup liver spread
- ½ 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 ½ hours or until beef is tender.
- 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
“This 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.”
Tina P. says
First time making caldereta with cheese and I used marinara sauce since I don’t have tomato sauce and tomato paste and it turned out really delicious.
Virna says
For years I’ve used Mama Sita’s Caldereta seasoning packet for convenience. I’ll never go back to those packets. This is simple, easy to read and delicious from scratch recipe. Kawaling Pinoy is my go to site for Filipinos recipes.
Anderson McUlsem says
Cooking is exactly like an art. Leonardo da Vinci and Vincent Van Gogh are totally different in all aspects but are both great in their own right. In culinary I forbid anyone correcting or criticizing someone's style. I watch recipe uploads for the sole purpose of enhancing my ability to make everyone who taste my recipe in awe and satisfied. I'm a self taught chef and I owe almost everything to everyone who unselfishly upload their master piece.
Lean says
Hi! Can I use boneless beef shanks instead? Also, I’m cooking for the kids, will omitting the Thai chili peppers make a big difference in flavor? Thanks!
jane martinez says
easy to follow instructions. Thank you.
Alia says
I made it, but somehow something feels missing. I don't know it's because I used "no-salt" added tomato sauce or if the tomato sauce is supposed to be filipino-style (which is to say, sweet). Nevertheless this is my first time making it so I'll take this into consideration next time and improve.
Dan says
Question - I know that chillies are rather integral to the dish, but my reflux will *not* be happy about this. Do you think it'll work without them or with the number greatly reduced?
Mark King says
Delicious. Perfect combination.
Family love it
Lorna Ricafrente says
Everybody enjoyed!!
Melissa Marie says
We love it! Particularly, my husband who loves kaldereta, though I did a few things quite differently: no olives, substituted the specified meat part into 2 lbs beef neck bones and 1 lb skinless goat. Also, instead of simmering for 1 1/2 hours, I simmered for 5 hours! Not that I intended to, but because I did errands. It turned out great! Thanks Lalaine
Liz says
Most of the canned liver spread contains MSG. Do you have a liver spread recipe that I can make myself?
I am so excited to make this. Salamat!
Rose says
You might not know it but MSG occurs naturally in many foods, such as tomatoes and cheeses. People around the world have eaten glutamate-rich foods throughout history. Basically, you cannot avoid MSG.
Check FDA website for details.
Manuel says
Buy a half a pound of beef, pork or chicken liver. Saute with garlic and onions and then crush or liquidize it in the blender I think beef liver will be the best choice for a substitute.
This is a very delicious recipe when eaten with plain rice with a good amount of gravy on top.
Ron Manaay says
You can substitute fried liver chicken and put in the blender
Trish B says
It’s just okay. I thought it will taste delicious
Lalaine Manalo says
I'm sorry if the recipe didn't meet your expectations. May I know what flavor was lacking?
Amelia Cedo says
Can u pls.send d recipe of monay n monay putok salamat
roberto bayoneto says
The legendary Nora Daza marinates the beef pieces in garlic and vinegar for fifteen minutes. I thought vinegar is a staple of kaldereta.
Rose says
Yes, that's how my mom cooked her beef caldereta. She marinates the beef in vinegar, salt & garlic too.
Sheila Marie Macabugwas says
Pwede bang gata ang elagay kesa cheese?
Lalaine Manalo says
Pwede po kung inyong gusto 🙂
Tina C says
Hi Ms. Lalaine, can I substitute sweet potato for white potato or will that change the flavor of the dish too much? And instead of carrots can I use fried eggplant and add at the end of the dish or would that be too strange? I just like those flavors and the sweet potato is healthier than white potato, and I’m not too crazy about carrots!
Lalaine Manalo says
You can switch up the veggies as you like 🙂
Tina C says
Marameng Salamat po! 🙏 I made this and it was a HIT at my in-law’s Thanksgiving dinner. My family just loved the flavors! I didn’t use liver spread and no carrots. Absolutely delicious! 😋
Lalaine Manalo says
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Ailene Apuyan says
Hi Ms Lalaine,
Merry Christmas! Super amazed po ako sa site mo thankful ako at isa sya sa nasearch ko super fave ko beef kaya lang di nmn ako marunong magluto lalo na beef caldereta na super fave ko kaya ngayong New Year eve para maiba naman mag try ako ng mge beef menu ito ngang beef caldereta swerte ko dito ako dinala sa site mo super easy gayahin. Sana lang maging success pagluto ko hahaha. Thank you Ms Lalaine! God Bless you po! Merry Christmas and Happiest New Year!
Lalaine Manalo says
Salamat po sa feedback. I'm glad naeenjoy niyo ang mga recipes dito. God bless!