Beef Caldereta Recipe
Filipino Kalderetang Baka
Beef Caldereta, also known as Kalderetang Baka, is a beloved Filipino beef stew known for its rich tomato-based sauce, tender beef, and hearty vegetables. This classic Filipino dish combines savory seasonings, tomato sauce, liver spread, potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, and green peas to create a flavorful meal that pairs perfectly with steamed rice.
The secret to delicious Beef Caldereta is cooking the beef slowly until it becomes tender enough to cut easily with a fork. As the beef simmers, the sauce becomes richer and the flavors blend together beautifully. It is a comforting dish that works just as well for an everyday family meal as it does for birthdays, fiestas, holidays, and other special occasions.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Tender and flavorful beef – Slow simmering helps make the beef soft and delicious.
- Rich and savory sauce – Tomato sauce, tomato paste, soy sauce, and liver spread create the signature Caldereta flavor.
- Loaded with vegetables – Potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, and green peas make this stew hearty and satisfying.
- Easy to prepare – Most of the cooking time is spent simmering, allowing the flavors to develop.
- Perfect with rice – The rich sauce is delicious spooned over freshly cooked steamed rice.
Ingredients
For the Beef Caldereta
- 500 grams beef chuck or beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 1 large carrot, cut into cubes
- 2 medium potatoes, cut into cubes
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into pieces
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into pieces
- 1 cup green peas, canned or frozen
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 200 grams tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 60 grams liver spread
- 1 beef broth cube
- 4 dried bay leaves
- 2 ½ cups water, or as needed
- ¼ cup cooking oil
- Sugar, salt, and ground black pepper to taste
How to Cook Beef Caldereta
1. Prepare the Vegetables
Heat some of the cooking oil in a large pan over medium heat. Lightly fry the potatoes and carrots until they develop a little color. Remove them from the pan and set aside.
Next, quickly sauté the red and green bell peppers for about 30 seconds. Remove them as well. Keeping the bell peppers aside helps preserve their color and texture.
2. Brown the Beef
Using the same pan, add a little more oil if needed. Sauté the garlic until fragrant, followed by the chopped onion. Cook until the onion becomes soft.
Add the beef cubes and sear them on all sides until lightly browned. Browning the beef adds extra flavor to the finished stew.
3. Simmer the Beef
Pour in the soy sauce and stir to coat the beef. Add the tomato paste and tomato sauce, then mix everything together.
Pour in the water and add the beef broth cube and bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then lower the heat. Cover and simmer for about 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until the beef becomes tender.
Check the pot occasionally and add a little more water if the sauce becomes too thick before the beef is fully cooked.
4. Add the Liver Spread and Vegetables
Once the beef is tender, add the liver spread and stir until it is completely incorporated into the sauce. The liver spread gives Caldereta its characteristic richness and depth of flavor.
Add the oyster sauce, fried potatoes, carrots, and green peas. Simmer for another 5 to 10 minutes, allowing the vegetables to absorb some of the flavorful sauce.
Add the bell peppers near the end of cooking so they retain some of their texture.
5. Season and Serve
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with sugar, salt, and ground black pepper according to your preference. If you like a slightly spicy Caldereta, you can also add sliced chili peppers.
Transfer the Beef Caldereta to a serving dish and serve hot with steamed white rice.
📺 Watch Recipe Video
Enjoyed this recipe? Subscribe to Pinoy Taste Recipes on YouTube for more easy Filipino recipes!
Subscribe on YouTubeServing Suggestions
Beef Caldereta is best served hot with freshly cooked steamed rice, which is perfect for soaking up the rich tomato-based sauce. You can also serve it with garlic rice for an even more flavorful meal.
For a traditional Filipino-style spread, serve Caldereta with atchara, a sweet and tangy pickled papaya side dish. The refreshing acidity helps balance the richness of the beef stew.
This dish is also a great choice for family gatherings, birthdays, fiestas, Christmas celebrations, and Sunday lunch.
Tips for Making Tender Beef Caldereta
For the best texture, choose beef cuts that become tender with slow cooking, such as chuck or other suitable stew meat. Keep the heat low while simmering rather than boiling the beef aggressively.
You can also prepare the Caldereta ahead of time. Like many Filipino stews, the flavor can become even better after resting because the sauce and seasonings have more time to blend together.
If you prefer a richer sauce, you can add a small amount of grated cheese or peanut butter. For a spicy version, add sliced siling haba or chili flakes according to your preferred level of heat.
Beef Caldereta Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Heat some of the cooking oil in a large pan over medium heat. Lightly fry the potatoes and carrots until they develop a little color. Remove them from the pan and set aside.
- Next, quickly sauté the red and green bell peppers for about 30 seconds. Remove them as well. Keeping the bell peppers aside helps preserve their color and texture.
- Using the same pan, add a little more oil if needed. Sauté the garlic until fragrant, followed by the chopped onion. Cook until the onion becomes soft.
- Add the beef cubes and sear them on all sides until lightly browned. Browning the beef adds extra flavor to the finished stew.
- Pour in the soy sauce and stir to coat the beef. Add the tomato paste and tomato sauce, then mix everything together.
- Pour in the water and add the beef broth cube and bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then lower the heat. Cover and simmer for about 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until the beef becomes tender.
- Check the pot occasionally and add a little more water if the sauce becomes too thick before the beef is fully cooked.
- Once the beef is tender, add the liver spread and stir until it is completely incorporated into the sauce. The liver spread gives Caldereta its characteristic richness and depth of flavor.
- Add the oyster sauce, fried potatoes, carrots, and green peas. Simmer for another 5 to 10 minutes, allowing the vegetables to absorb some of the flavorful sauce.
- Add the bell peppers near the end of cooking so they retain some of their texture.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with sugar, salt, and ground black pepper according to your preference. If you like a slightly spicy Caldereta, you can also add sliced chili peppers.
- Transfer the Beef Caldereta to a serving dish and serve hot with steamed white rice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about Beef Caldereta, its ingredients, cooking methods, and preparation tips.
What is Beef Caldereta?
Beef Caldereta, or Kalderetang Baka, is a Filipino beef stew traditionally prepared with tomato-based sauce, beef, vegetables, and seasonings. Liver spread is commonly added to provide a richer and more distinctive sauce.
What is the best beef for Caldereta?
Beef chuck is a good choice because it becomes tender and flavorful when cooked slowly. Other beef cuts suitable for stewing can also be used.
How do you make Beef Caldereta tender?
The best way is to simmer the beef gently over low heat until it becomes fork-tender. Depending on the cut and size of the beef pieces, this can take about 1 to 1 ½ hours or longer.
Can I make Caldereta without liver spread?
Yes. Liver spread adds richness and traditional flavor, but you can make Caldereta without it. The sauce will have a slightly different taste and texture.
Can I make Beef Caldereta spicy?
Yes. Add sliced siling haba, chili peppers, or chili flakes while cooking to give the Caldereta a spicy kick.
How long does Beef Caldereta last in the refrigerator?
Store leftover Caldereta in a covered container in the refrigerator and consume it within about 3 to 4 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving.
Final Thoughts
This Beef Caldereta Recipe is a hearty Filipino favorite that brings together tender beef, rich tomato sauce, creamy liver spread, and colorful vegetables in one satisfying dish. With slow simmering and simple ingredients, you can make a flavorful Kalderetang Baka that is perfect for family meals and special occasions.
Serve it with plenty of steamed rice and enjoy a comforting taste of Filipino home cooking.
