Slow-Simmered Beef Mechado with Tomato and Soy Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-01 · Updated 2026-06-01

A hearty Filipino beef stew cooked slowly in a rich tomato and soy sauce broth with potatoes and bell peppers for a comforting meal. This Filipino-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 105 minutes, pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, vegetable oil, garlic cloves, minced 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.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 2 cups water
• 3 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
• to taste salt
• to taste ground black pepper
• 2 bay leaves

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 pounds of cubed beef chuck and brown on all sides for about 6-8 minutes, then remove and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 5 minced garlic cloves and 1 chopped medium onion, sautéing for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 cup tomato sauce and 1/3 cup soy sauce, cooking for 2 minutes to combine flavors.
4. Step 4: Return the browned beef to the pot along with 2 cups water and 2 bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer gently for 1 hour, partially covered.
5. Step 5: Add 3 peeled and quartered medium potatoes and 1 sliced medium red bell pepper, continue simmering uncovered for another 30 minutes until beef is tender and potatoes are cooked through.
6. Step 6: Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste, stirring gently before serving.