Beef Caldereta – Rich, Savory Comfort Food Perfect for Lunch or Dinner

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What Is Beef Caldereta?

Beef Caldereta is a classic Filipino stew known for its bold, savory, at slightly creamy tomato-based sauce. This dish uses tender beef cubes slowly cooked until soft, then simmered with vegetables, olives, and liver spread for that signature depth of flavor.

Madalas itong hinahain sa mga handaan at family gatherings, similar to other tomato-based favorites like Menudo and Chicken Afritada, but with a richer, deeper taste profile.

The combination of beef, tomato sauce, and liver spread creates a thick, flavorful sauce that clings to every bite—perfect for kanin lovers.

Why Masarap?

What makes Beef Caldereta dish stand out is its rich and layered taste. The beef becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender, habang ang sauce ay sabay-sabay na savory, slightly tangy, at creamy. The aroma habang niluluto pa lang—may bawang, sibuyas, at dahon ng laurel—nakakagutom na agad. Add the soft vegetables and briny olives, and bawat subo ay comforting at very satisfying.

Best Enjoyed For

This hearty Beef Caldereta is best enjoyed for lunch or dinner, lalo na kapag may mainit na kanin sa tabi. It’s filling, indulgent, at perfect pang-salo-salo.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs beef, cubed
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• ½ cup liver spread
• 1 teaspoon chili flakes
• 3 dried bay leaves
• 2 cups potatoes, sliced
• 2 cups carrots, sliced
• ¼ cup cooking oil
• ⅔ cup green olives
• Salt and pepper, to taste

1. Heat the cooking oil in a large pot or pressure cooker over medium-high heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and garlic, then sauté until soft and aromatic.
3. Put in the beef cubes and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned on all sides.
4. Pour in the tomato sauce and beef broth, then add the dried bay leaves. Mix well to combine.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat. Cover and simmer until the beef becomes tender—about 30 minutes using a pressure cooker or 60–90 minutes using a regular pot.
6. Once the beef is soft, add the sliced potatoes, carrots, and green olives. Let these cook until nearly tender, around 8–10 minutes.
7. Stir in the liver spread until the sauce becomes thicker and evenly coats the beef.
8. Add the chili flakes along with the red and green bell peppers. Cook for a few more minutes until the peppers are just tender.
9. Season with salt and ground black pepper according to taste.
10. Serve hot and enjoy with steamed white rice.

Serving Suggestions

This beef caldereta dish is best served with freshly steamed white rice to soak up the rich sauce. For a complete Filipino meal, it pairs well with crispy sides like Lumpiang Shanghai or a refreshing vegetable side such as Ensaladang Talong to balance the richness.

Storage Tips

• Transfer leftovers to an airtight container once cooled.
• Store in the refrigerator and consume within 2–3 days.
• Reheat slowly on the stove to preserve the texture of the beef and vegetables.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Filipino Favorite Worth Sharing

Beef Caldereta remains a staple in many Filipino homes because it brings together comfort, richness, and celebration in one pot. It’s the kind of ulam na bagay sa espesyal na okasyon pero kayang-kaya ring ihanda para sa simpleng lunch or dinner kasama ang pamilya.

Sarap Diaries continues to feature dishes like this to make Filipino cooking approachable, flavorful, and always satisfying.

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