Vinegar-Braised Beef with Potatoes and Onions
Tender Filipino-style braised beef simmered slowly in a tangy vinegar sauce with hearty potatoes and sweet onions. This filipino-inspired beef ready in about 120 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 2-inch cubes, white vinegar, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 5, 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, cut into 2-inch cubes
- 3/4 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 5 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 large onion, sliced into thick rings
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- to taste salt and pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Marinate 2 lbs beef chuck cubes in a mixture of 3/4 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup soy sauce, and 5 minced garlic cloves for 30 minutes at room temperature to tenderize and flavor the meat.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Remove beef from marinade (reserve marinade) and brown beef cubes on all sides, about 6-7 minutes.
- Step 3: Add 1 large sliced onion rings and sauté with beef for 3 minutes until onions soften and become translucent.
- Step 4: Pour in the reserved marinade, 1 1/2 cups water, and 1 tbsp brown sugar. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
- Step 5: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour until beef is tender.
- Step 6: Add 3 peeled and chunked potatoes, cover again, and cook another 20 minutes until potatoes are soft but holding shape.
- Step 7: Season with salt and pepper to taste. The sauce should be tangy, slightly sweet, and coat the tender beef and potatoes beautifully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Vinegar-Braised Beef with Potatoes and Onions take to make?
Total time is about 120 minutes (40 min prep + 80 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 Vinegar-Braised Beef with Potatoes and Onions?
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 white vinegar from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Vinegar-Braised Beef with Potatoes and Onions?
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 Vinegar-Braised Beef with Potatoes and Onions for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 5 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 5). 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 Vinegar-Braised Beef with Potatoes and Onions?
Filipino 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.
