Beef Pares Recipe – Have you ever heard of a recipe that resulted in three dishes? Well, that’s what you get if you try and make beef pares. Beef Pares is a Filipino beef dish considered a beef stew. The name “pares” comes from the English word “pair” or “pairing” because this flavorful beef stew is traditionally served with rice and soup as a complete and affordable meal. As a stew type of dish, there are different ways to make the dish.
When it comes to cooking this dish, the most common choice of beef is brisket. However, feel free to use any cut of beef that you prefer. Cuts like chuck, round, and bone-in short ribs can also be used, but they may require a bit more time to tenderize. If you’re using these cuts, a pressure cooker can come in handy to expedite the process. One way you can make the dish as a beginner is with the following Beef Pares recipe:
Beef Pares
Ingredients
Ingredients for the Soup
- 2 pounds beef brisket (cubes or shank is optional)
- 8-10 cups water
- 1 medium yellow onion (quartered)
- 1 tablespoon peppercorn
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 pinch salt (add to taste)
- 1 pinch pepper (add to taste)
- 2 tablespoons garlic (toasted)
- ½ cup spring onions (chopped)
Ingredients for the Stew
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 medium onion (chopped finely)
- 1 thumb ginger (julienned)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced finely)
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 3-4 pieces star anise
- ¼ teaspoon five-spice
- 3 pieces bay leaves
- 2-3 tablespoons brown sugar (adjust as needed)
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (dissolved in ½ cup water)
- 1 spring onion (chopped for garnish)
Instructions
- Place the beef in a large bowl.
- Add tap water and let it soak for 10-15 minutes to draw out the blood for a clearer broth.
- Discard the water and give the beef a quick rinse.
- In a large pot, bring 8-10 cups of water to a boil over high heat.
- Add the beef, onion, peppercorn, and fish sauce to the pot.
- Cover with a lid and reduce the heat to low.
- Let it cook for about 30-40 minutes until the meat is just fork-tender. If the liquid level gets too low, add more water as needed since you’ll need the broth later.
- Remove the meat from the broth and cut it into smaller cubes, about 1×1 inch. Set aside. If you’re using beef shank, return the bones to the pot of broth. Add more water if needed and let it boil for a few more minutes.
- Season the broth with salt to taste, and add the roasted garlic and chopped spring onions. This soup will be served later.
- In a separate pot or deep pan, heat the oil over medium heat.
- Sauté the onion, garlic, and ginger until tender.
- Add the beef and cook until the edges turn slightly brown.
- Pour in the soy sauce, star anise, five-spice, bay leaves, brown sugar, and ground pepper. Stir well.
- Add 2 cups of the beef broth and the cornstarch slurry.
- Cover with a lid and bring to a simmer. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until the meat is very tender.
- Divide the beef mixture into serving bowls and top with roasted garlic and chopped green onions.
- Serve with fried garlic rice and a bowl of the soup.
Additional Notes for a Pares Recipe
If you want to make a proper beef pares dish, there are some things to know, especially when cooking the soup and beef. To achieve a clearer broth, soak the beef in water before boiling it to draw out blood and impurities. While simmering, you may notice brown foamy sediments on the surface, which are fats and proteins. Skim them off for a clearer broth.
Keep an eye on the water level when boiling the beef, adding more if it gets low since you’ll need it for the soup. Adjust the seasoning to your taste. If you’re short on time, use a pressure cooker to tenderize the beef quickly. For a clear broth in the soup, gently simmer the meat instead of boiling it to avoid cloudiness from rendered fat. When making fluffy garlic fried rice, opt for day-old rice from the fridge for easier separation and tastier results.
Other Notes and Options for a Stew and Beef Dish
Just like there are different things to note when cooking the dish, there are different ways you can serve and store it. While the beef dish is commonly enjoyed as part of a combo set, you can enjoy it with some steamed rice too. If you have any leftovers, make sure to store them properly. Place the Beef Pares in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator. It can be stored for up to 3 days. Alternatively, you can freeze it for longer-term storage, for up to 2 months.
To enjoy even more Filipino beef dishes, you should check out our Sizzling Bulalo Recipe, Beef Afritada Recipe, and Morcon Recipe. You can check out even more stew recipes with our Ginisang Munggo Recipe and Pata Tim Recipe
Want to check out other cuisines? Then you should try our Pakistani Chicken Karahi Recipe.