Slow-Cooked Bolivian Charque Stew with Potatoes

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty Bolivian beef jerky stew simmered with potatoes and traditional spices, perfect for a warming meal. This latin american-inspired beef ready in about 65 minutes pairs dried beef jerky (charque), shredded, yellow potatoes, peeled and quartered, medium onion, finely chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 calories and feeds 4, 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: 15 min Cook: 50 min Serves 4 Latin American cuisine 360 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped medium onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 300 grams shredded dried beef jerky (charque), cooking for 3 minutes until it begins to brown slightly.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; stir well to coat the meat and aromatics.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 4 cups of water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes to develop flavors.
  5. Step 5: Add 500 grams peeled and quartered yellow potatoes to the pot, simmer for another 20 minutes until potatoes are tender and stew thickens slightly.
  6. Step 6: Adjust seasoning if needed, then sprinkle 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley before serving hot.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Bolivian Charque Stew with Potatoes take to make?

Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 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 Stew with Potatoes?

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 medium onion, finely chopped from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Bolivian Charque Stew with Potatoes?

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 Stew with Potatoes for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Stew with Potatoes?

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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