Beef Nilaga Stew with Cabbage and Corn on the Cob

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-10 · Updated 2026-06-10

A comforting Filipino beef stew featuring tender beef shanks simmered with hearty vegetables like cabbage and corn, perfect for chilly days. This Filipino-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 145 minutes, pairs beef shank, cut into chunks, water, onion, quartered for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef shank, cut into chunks
• 8 cups water
• 1 large onion, quartered
• 1 tbsp whole peppercorns
• 3 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 2 ears corn on the cob, cut into 3-inch pieces
• 1 small head cabbage, quartered
• to taste salt
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 2 tbsp for garnish green onions, chopped

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large pot, combine 2 pounds beef shank chunks, 8 cups water, 1 large quartered onion, and 1 tbsp whole peppercorns. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered for 1.5 to 2 hours until beef is tender.
2. Step 2: Skim off any impurities from the surface during simmering to keep the broth clear.
3. Step 3: Add 3 medium peeled and quartered potatoes and 2 ears corn cut into 3-inch pieces to the pot. Continue simmering for 15 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add 1 small head quartered cabbage and season the broth with 2 tbsp fish sauce and salt to taste. Cook an additional 5-7 minutes until cabbage is tender but not mushy.
5. Step 5: Ladle the beef, vegetables, and broth into bowls. Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped green onions and serve hot with steamed rice and dipping fish sauce if desired.