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
- ยผ 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
- ยฝ cup green olives, pitted
- ยฝ cup liver spread
- ยฝ 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 ยฝ hours or until beef is tender.ย
- 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
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
Juliet Connolly says
Once I tried to put fresh blended chicken liver instead of liver spread and the sauce was more flavorful. I also added chorizo de bilbao in can to give it a taste of spanish dish. Bell pepper, olives, potatoes, carrots and cheese complete the recipe.
Roselyn says
How cook caldereta
TeamCheam says
hello can I get a video of this recipe ?
Rina says
Ang sarap ng recipe na ito! Maraming salamat po!
Lalaine Manalo says
You're welcome ๐
Jose says
How many kilos of beef i didnt read in the list of ingredients thanks
Andy says
Atchi Iโm gonna make this tonight
Lalaine Manalo says
Kumusta? ๐
ian says
hi! may I know is there a green peas on the recipe? I just wonder because in the picture above it looks like there's a green peas on it? thanks.
Lalaine Manalo says
It's green olives, no peas ๐
Myla Castillo says
Thank you so much for sharing..di kasi ako marunong magluto ng mga espesyal na ulam.fried at simple lang...
Cat says
Hi. May I know the brand and variety of tomato sauce and paste used?
Thanks!
Lalaine Manalo says
You can use any brand ๐
Tina says
Is it necessary to put the cheese in it?
Lalaine Manalo says
We like to add cheese for extra creamy flavor but you can omit it if you like ๐
Marilou says
Is that okay if I will not put liver spread?
Lalaine says
Yes, you skip the liver spread but please note that the consistency of the dish might be a little different as the liver helps thicken the sauce.
ML moore says
Is it okay to use black olives instead of green?
Lalaine Manalo says
Yes, you can use black olives ๐
Annie Rogel says
Hi Lala,
I'm successful cooking the beef Kaldereta dish. My son tasted the dish in a Filipino restaurant and ask if I can prepare this for dinner. I have a good slices of beef stake t-bone like. What impressed them is the liver pate with some herbs. Thanks for sharing the recipe .
Lyn says
I will try to make this tonight for supper
Lalaine says
Enjoy!
Beck says
Hi. Have you tried caldereta with peanut butter added to it? If so, how much of it and when will I add it? And also, can sweet pickle relish substiture the gherkin pickles? Thanks, Ms. Lalaine.
Lalaine says
Hello Beck,
No, I haven't tried caldereta with peanut butter but it sounds interesting. I personally wouldn't substitute sweet pickle relish. If you don't have any gherkin pickles on hand, just omit from the recipe ๐
Karrie Joy Ricaplaza says
Thanks for this wonderful recipe, what can i use to replace gherkin pickles and Thai chili peppers, i think those are hard to find here in my province.
Lalaine says
Thai chili peppers are siling labuyo. You can exclude the pickles if you can't find them ๐
Karrie says
๐ thank you
malou says
What pork part should I use if I'm going to do the Pork version? Thanks
Lalaine says
Hi Malou
I'd use pork shoulder as it has a bit of fat and skin attached (for flavor) but the meat is lean enough. Pork butt and tenderloin (lomo) will be ok, too. Hope this helps.
malou says
Dakal a salamat pu neh. From Tracy, CA
Lalaine says
Salamat murin po:)
ML moore says
Can I sub black olive instead of green? TIAโค๏ธ
Lalaine Manalo says
Yes, you can ๐