Simmered Pabellón Criollo with Shredded Beef and Black Beans
Traditional Venezuelan dish featuring tender shredded beef slow-simmered in a rich tomato sauce, served with black beans, white rice, and fried plantains. This venezuelan-inspired beef ready in about 170 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, onion, large, finely chopped, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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 onion, large, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 cups black beans, cooked
- 1 1/2 cups, uncooked white rice
- 2 ripe plantains, peeled and sliced lengthwise
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut 2 lbs beef chuck roast into large chunks and season generously with salt and black pepper; heat a large pot over medium-high heat and brown the beef pieces on all sides for about 8 minutes.
- Step 2: Add 1 large finely chopped onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot, sautéing with the beef for 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1/2 tsp dried oregano, cooking for 2 minutes until the tomato paste darkens and coats the meat.
- Step 4: Pour in 2 cups beef broth, bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low; cook for 2 to 2.5 hours until the beef is fork-tender and shreds easily.
- Step 5: While the beef cooks, rinse 1 1/2 cups uncooked white rice until water runs clear, then cook it according to package instructions until fluffy.
- Step 6: Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat; fry 2 peeled and sliced ripe plantains for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and caramelized, then drain on paper towels.
- Step 7: Once beef is tender, shred it with two forks directly in the pot and stir in 2 cups cooked black beans, cooking for 5 more minutes to blend flavors.
- Step 8: Serve the shredded beef and bean mixture alongside the white rice and fried plantains for a colorful, hearty meal.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Simmered Pabellón Criollo with Shredded Beef and Black Beans 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 Simmered Pabellón Criollo with Shredded Beef and Black Beans?
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 Simmered Pabellón Criollo with Shredded Beef and Black Beans?
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 Simmered Pabellón Criollo with Shredded Beef and Black Beans 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 Simmered Pabellón Criollo with Shredded Beef and Black Beans?
Venezuelan 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.
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Slow Simmered Pabellón Criollo with Shredded Beef and Plantains
