Braised Beef Pabellón Criollo with Sweet Plantains
Tender shredded beef slow-braised in a rich tomato sauce, served with sweet fried plantains and fluffy white rice for a classic Venezuelan meal. This latin american-inspired beef ready in about 170 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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 lbs beef chuck roast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 cup water or beef broth
- 2 large ripe plantains
- 1/4 cup for frying vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 cups, uncooked white rice
- 3 cups for rice water
- 1 tsp for rice salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Season 2 lbs beef chuck roast with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat and brown the beef on all sides, about 8 minutes total.
- Step 2: Remove beef and add 1 large diced onion, 1 medium diced red bell pepper, and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp ground cumin, and add 1 cup water or beef broth. Return beef to pot, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 2 to 2 1/2 hours until beef is tender enough to shred.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, peel 2 large ripe plantains and slice into 1/2-inch diagonal pieces. Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat and fry plantain slices for 3 minutes per side until golden and caramelized. Drain on paper towels.
- Step 5: Cook 1 1/2 cups uncooked white rice with 3 cups water and 1 tsp salt in a pot, bringing to a boil, then simmering covered for 18 minutes until fluffy.
- Step 6: Shred the braised beef with two forks and serve over the white rice with fried plantains on the side for a traditional Pabellón Criollo.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Braised Beef Pabellón Criollo with Sweet Plantains take to make?
Total time is about 170 minutes (20 min prep + 150 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Braised Beef Pabellón Criollo with Sweet Plantains?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep beef chuck roast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Braised Beef Pabellón Criollo with Sweet Plantains?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Braised Beef Pabellón Criollo with Sweet Plantains for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Braised Beef Pabellón Criollo with Sweet Plantains?
Latin American beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
