Kalderetang Kambing is a rich, spicy, and hearty tomato-based stew made with goat meat, potatoes, and carrots. This classic Filipino dish is sure to be a crowd favorite at any special occasion or dinner party. Delicious as an appetizer with alcoholic drinks or a main dish with steamed rice!
The name caldereta or kaldereta is derived from the Spanish word โcaldera,โ which means cauldron. It originated from the meat stews that the Spaniards brought to the Philippines.
The dish is a staple in Filipino cuisine and uses almost any meat โ from goat, beef, pork, chicken, and even fish. It's similar to mechado and afritada as it has almost the same ingredients. But the addition of liver spread or liver sauce makes kaldereta stand out from the other tomato-based stews.
Kalderetang Kambing is a specialty dish of Central and Northern Luzon. It's made with adult goat meat (chevon) braised in spicy tomato sauce and liver paste with potatoes, carrots, olives, and bell peppers.
It's a favorite Filipino pulutan or bar food and is usually served with ice-cold or other hard drinks. Unlike its beef or chicken counterpart, the kambing version is mostly reserved for fiestas, special occasions, or holidays as the meat is not as readily available.
Ingredient notes
- Goat- the meat used in this recipe is from adult goats or usually referred to as chevon. Chevon is derived from the French word chรจvre, a female goat.ย It's savory and less sweet than beef but a tad sweeter than lamb.
- Vinegar- marinating in an acidic medium such as vinegar or lemon juice helps tenderize the meat and tame the gamey odor and taste
- Pineapple juice- adds a fruity sweetness.
- Tomato sauce- you substitute with tomato paste; use about 2 tablespoons and add more water or broth
- Vegetables- potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers extend servings and add color and texture. You can also add green peas if desired.
- Thai Chili Pepper or Birdโs eye chili- kicks up the dish with a punch of heat.
- Liver Spread- a Filipino-style liverwurst that brings a savory flavor to the dish. You can use pureed fresh pork liver if tinned liver spread is not available.ย
- Sweet Gherkin Pickles- smaller kinds of cucumbers that have been pickled in vinegar or brine.ย
- Spanish Olives - Manzanilla is the most common green olive sold in supermarkets. It is added to the kaldereta to provide a nice sour flavor to complement the dish.
Goat meat is an acquired taste due to its barnyard flavor and odor. It takes a bit more preparation to take the edge off the gamey taste and make it less overpowering.
How to prepare goat meat
- Soak the meat in vinegar to remove the gamey taste and speed up cook time. But don't marinate for too long, as vinegar is a strong acid and can dry out the meat, making it tough.
- Aside from marinating in vinegar, you can boil the goat meat in pandan leaves to remove the smell.
- You can also soak the goat meat in buttermilk or milk for 1 to 2 hours. It has the same effects as vinegar.
- Cooking time depends on the goat's age; the older the goat, the longer it cooks. The best way to tell that it is done is when the skin is soft and gelatinous.
Quick tip
Fry the potatoes and carrots before adding them to the stew to help them hold shape in the stew and not fall apart.
Serving suggestions
- Kalderetang Kambing is delicious as a main dish for lunch or dinner with steamed rice. It also makes a tasty appetizer with an ice-cold beer.
- Itโs great for festivities, parties, or special gatherings.
Storing leftovers
- Store leftovers in airtight containers or resealable bags. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- To reheat, place in a saucepan and heat over medium heat.
For more kambing recipes, try this sinampalukang version or up-and-down soup!
More appetizer recipes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds goat meat, cut into serving portions
- 2 cups vinegar
- 1 tablespoon salt
- water
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- ยผ cup canola oil
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered
- 1 large carrot, peeled and cut into cubes
- ยฝ red bell pepper, seeded, cored, and cubed
- ยฝ green bell pepper, seeded, cored, and cubed
- 1 onion, peeled and chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 4 Thai chili peppers, stemmed and minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- ยฝ cup liver spread
- 6 pieces sweet gherkins pickles
- ยผ cup Spanish olives
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine goat meat, vinegar, and 1 tablespoon salt. Marinate in the refrigerator for about 1 hour. Rinse and drain well.
- In a pot over medium heat, bring to a boil enough water to cover the meat. Add goat meat and boil for about 7 to 10 minutes or until scum begins to rise. In a colander, drain well. Rinse the meat and the pot.
- In the clean pot, combine goat meat, pineapple juice, 4 cups of water, and 1 tablespoon salt. Bring to a boil, skimming scum that floats on top.
- Lower heat, cover, and simmer for about 1 ยฝ to 2 hours or until meat is tender but not falling apart. Using a colander, drain meat and reserve about 2 cups of the liquid.
- In a wide pan over medium heat, heat oil. Add potatoes and cook until lightly browned. Remove from pan and drain on paper towels.
- Add carrots and cook until lightly browned. Remove from pan and drain on paper towels.
- Add bell peppers and cook for about 30 seconds. Remove from pan and drain on paper
- Remove excess oil from the pan except for about 2 tablespoons. Add onions and garlic and cook until softened.
- Add goat meat and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned.
- Add tomato sauce, the 2 cups reserved broth, and chili peppers. Bring to a boil.
- Lower heat, cover, and continue to cook for about 20 to 30 minutes or until meat is fork-tender and sauce is slightly reduced.
- In a bowl, combine liver spread and about ยฝ cup broth from the pan. Stir until smooth and add to pan. Stir until well-dispersed.
- Add pickles and olives.
- Add potatoes and carrots and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes or until tender.
- Add bell peppers and continue to cook for about 1 to 2 minutes or until tender yet crisp.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. 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
Dan says
I like the way you prepare goat kaldereta excellent, I tried to cook for the first time and my friends loves it.
Dc says
Top-notch recipe. We tried this with lamb cuts labelled for kaldereta. Thanks!
Ivy says
I've finally found a recipe that tastes like the kaldereta at home!
Jmike Gabucan says
Looks great Lala!
Love to learn cooking Filipino food
Bibi says
Tried this recipe last week and used Duck Meat instead of Goat Meat. Did not use Pickles and Olives. It was a winner!
Yaxmine says
Dont 'put anything yet if you want it cook it fast ,vinegar will make the meat hardened more better sautee it first before adding vinegar,lemon or white wine
Lalaine says
Thanks for the tip!
Ton says
So, you only marinate the goat meat to remove the 'gamey' smell, correct?
I ask because my wife (Filipina) skipped that step because she likes the gameyness of goat. I assume that the reason for simmering it in pineapple juice as well. She skipped this step also but she did use pineapple juice for the recipe itself.
Lalaine says
Hi Ton,
Yes, marinating in vinegar is only to remove the gamey taste ๐
Rowena Escorido says
Im going to try to cook sisig thank you for your recipe
Lalaine says
Let me know how it turns out ๐ Enjoy!
RMC says
looks delish.. what brand of liver spread did you use?
Lalaine Manalo says
I use Reno brand ๐
Ann says
I was searching of someone who use star anise,tomatoe paste,pineapple slice,pineapple juice,slice fried banana like the barbecue banana we use in the Philippines.pepper corn,bay leaf coz my mom make the best kaldereta kambing even the sauce can be put with the rice..my hubby dont use to eat kalderita kambing but we was eating it..
Mahmoud says
I am going to cook this later, but I will use mutton meat instead. The dish looks very delicious and flavorful. I will add some Arabian spices to put some touch of Arabic taste.
Lalaine says
Please let me know how it turns out. ๐
Debbie Mickow says
In Sacramento, we have several Markets here that sell Goat Meat. I love it and, they also sell Lamb. I am going to try this recipe for sure!! Thank you for all your hard work and, all the wonderful recipes
Lalaine says
Thank you, you just gave me an idea. The flavors of this Kaldereta will actually work well with lamb. It's easier to find so I can use as alternative to goat meat ๐
Cristina says
Hi if i use lamb is the same procedure like goat??? Thankyou
Lalaine says
I haven't tried it yet with lamb. I know lamb is a bit gamey too but I am not sure how it would react with marinating in vinegar. Other than that, I am assuming the cooking procedure will be pretty much the same.
Cristina says
Oh! I see... I was thinking its better i use goat rather than lamb.thankyou you so much for your response i do appreciated?