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Venezuelan Carne Mechada Recipe

Carne mechada, or Venezuelan shredded beef, is a classic dish from Venezuela made with tender pulled beef. It's commonly served with rice as a main course, but also makes a delicious filling for arepas, sandwiches, and empanadas.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Venezuelan
Servings 6 Yield
Calories 469 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Beef

  • Skirt steak - 2 lb
  • Onion (quartered) - 1

For the Sauce

  • Oil - 1 tbsp
  • Onion (quartered and sliced) - 1
  • Red bell peppers (quartered and sliced) - 2
  • Garlic - 3 cloves
  • Tomatoes (diced) - 2
  • Worcestershire sauce - 1 tbsp
  • Salt - 1 tsp
  • Ground black pepper - ½ tsp
  • Cumin - ¼ tsp
  • Reserved beef cooking broth - 2 cups

Instructions
 

  • Begin by taking the meat and trimming it, if necessary. Now, cut it into 4 pieces. Transfer the pieces to a medium-sized soup pot and pour water on top.
  • Throw in 1 quartered onion and allow it to simmer for about 2 hours. Make sure to get rid of any foam that may form on the surface.
  • Once cooked, take out the beef from the water and allow it to cool a little. Keep in mind that you should store 2 cups of the meat broth.
  • Next, using two forks, begin to shred the meat. Place aside.
  • It’s time to prepare the sauce now. Take a large pan with high sides. Add the oil and heat it over a medium flame. Throw in the onions, peppers and garlic. Cook until the onions become soft. This should take you about 4-5 minutes.
  • Now, add the diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper and cumin. Combine all the ingredients well.
  • Add the shredded meat and 2 cups of the beef broth. Allow the ingredients to cook until it comes to a boil.
  • Lower the flame to a simmer and let the dish cook for an additional 20 minutes. Remember to leave the pan uncovered while it cooks.
  • If you are planning on consuming your carne mechada in a traditional Venezuelan manner, along with rice and beans, remember to keep the meat slightly brothy.
  • However, if you are planning to use it as a stuffing for arepas or empanadas, you will need to cook it until it is almost dry, keeping in mind to stir frequently so the mixture doesn’t stick to the bottom

Nutrition

Calories: 469kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 44gFat: 28gCholesterol: 98mgSodium: 360mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1g
Keyword Venezuelan Carne Mechada Recipe
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