Slow-Cooked Bolivian Charque de Res Stew

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty slow-cooked beef stew inspired by Bolivia’s traditional charque, featuring tender beef and root vegetables simmered in a rich, smoky broth. This latin american-inspired beef ready in about 140 minutes pairs dried beef jerky (charque), diced, beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, yellow potatoes, peeled and cubed for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 120 min Serves 6 Latin American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add 150 g diced onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add 500 g beef chuck cubes and 300 g diced dried beef jerky (charque) to the pot. Brown on all sides for 6-8 minutes until the surface is nicely seared.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp cumin powder, and 1 tsp smoked paprika, cooking for 1 minute until spices are aromatic.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 4 cups beef broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 1.5 hours until the beef is tender.
  5. Step 5: Add 300 g peeled and cubed yellow potatoes and 150 g chopped carrots to the pot. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Continue simmering uncovered for 30 minutes until vegetables are soft.
  6. Step 6: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro before serving warm.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Bolivian Charque de Res Stew take to make?

Total time is about 140 minutes (20 min prep + 120 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 Slow-Cooked Bolivian Charque de Res Stew?

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 carrots, peeled and chopped from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Bolivian Charque de Res Stew?

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 Slow-Cooked Bolivian Charque de Res Stew 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 Slow-Cooked Bolivian Charque de Res Stew?

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.

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