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 beef recipe, ready in about 105 minutes, pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, vegetable oil, and garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner. 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 "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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.