Carne Mechada Puerto Rican Recipe

Carne mechada is a traditional Latin American dish made from beef that has been marinated and slow-cooked until it is tender and shreddable.

Carne Mechada

Publisher: Pithy Recipe

Cuisine: Puerto Rican
Category: Dinner, Main Course
Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours
Servings: 6

Imagine a succulent, tender, and flavorful beef roast that has been slow-cooked to perfection. The meat is so tender that it melts in your mouth with every bite. This, my friend, is carne mechada – a dish that will transport your taste buds straight to the tropical paradise of Puerto Rico.

Carne mechada is a traditional dish, often made with a beef roast that has been marinated in a mixture of spices, garlic, and onions. The meat is then slow-cooked until it is so tender that it can be pulled apart with a fork. The result is a delicious and juicy meat that is packed with flavor.

Think of it as a culinary love story, where the spices, garlic, and onions play the role of the Romeo, and the beef roast is the Juliet. The slow-cooking process is the marriage ceremony that brings them all together, creating a symphony of flavors in your mouth.

The marinade for Carne Mechada typically includes ingredients such as garlic, onions, cumin, oregano, paprika, cilantro, lime juice, and olive oil which gives it a unique and delicious flavor. Some recipes also include red wine or beer.

You can serve it as a filling for sandwiches, topping for rice and beans, a filling for empanadas, tacos, and arepas, or as a main dish with sides. It’s like a blank canvas, you can be as creative as you want with it.

This dish is not only delicious but also versatile and easy to prepare, making it a perfect addition to your recipe collection. Don’t just take my word for it, give it a try, and you’ll see why carne mechada is a beloved dish in Puerto Rico and beyond.

Recipe

Ingredients

4-5 lb beef chuck roast

1 large onion, chopped
6 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup lime juice
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano

1 tsp paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 cups beef broth

1 cup chopped cilantro
1 cup red wine (optional)

Method Instructions

In a large bowl, mix together onion, garlic, olive oil, lime juice, cumin, oregano, paprika, salt and pepper.

Place the beef chuck roast in the bowl, making sure it is well coated with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Remove the beef from the marinade and sear it on all sides until well browned.

Add the beef broth and red wine (if using) to the pan, and bring to a simmer.
Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 3-4 hours or until the beef is very tender and easily shreds with a fork.
Remove the beef from the pan and shred it using two forks.

Return the shredded beef to the pan and stir in the chopped cilantro.
Cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the beef is heated through and the flavors have melded together.
Serve immediately with your choice of sides, such as rice, beans, avocado, and plantains.

Optional: You can also add some sliced bell peppers, tomato sauce, or sofrito to the mixture for added flavor.
Enjoy your delicious Carne Mechada!

Rated: 4.9 of 5.0 from 3 reviews.

Recipe Tags: Carne Mechada, Carne Mechada Puerto Rican Recipe, Recipe

Servings

As a filling for sandwiches: Carne mechada can be served as a sandwich filling with toppings such as lettuce, tomato, cheese, and avocado.
As a topping for rice and beans: Carne mechada can be served over a bed of rice and beans, a traditional and popular way to enjoy it in Puerto Rico.
As a filling for empanadas: Carne mechada can be used as a filling for empanadas, which are fried or baked pastry pockets filled with savory fillings.

As a filling for tacos: Carne mechada can be used as a filling for tacos, topped with cheese, salsa, and avocado.
As a topping for arepas: Carne mechada can be used as a topping for arepas, which are traditional corn cakes from Venezuela and Colombia.
As a main dish with sides: Carne mechada can be served as a main dish, with traditional sides such as rice, beans, avocado, and plantains.

As a topping for pizza: Carne mechada can be used as a topping for pizza, with cheese and other toppings.
As a topping for nachos: Carne mechada can be used as a topping for nachos, with cheese, salsa, and avocado.
As a topping for quesadillas: Carne mechada can be used as a topping for quesadillas, with cheese, salsa, and avocado.

You can also get creative and think of other ways to enjoy it, Carne mechada is a very versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many ways.

Tips

Use the right cut of meat: Beef chuck roast is the traditional cut of meat used for carne mechada, as it has the right amount of fat and connective tissue to make the meat tender and flavorful after slow-cooking.
Marinate the meat: Marinating the beef in a flavorful blend of spices, garlic, and citrus before cooking is key to infusing the meat with flavor. Marinate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.

Cook low and slow: Slow-cooking the beef on low heat until it is extremely tender is crucial for achieving the perfect texture for carne mechada.
Shred the meat: Once the beef is cooked, it should be shredded using two forks, this will make the meat more flavorful, and it will easily absorb the juices and flavors.
Add liquid: Adding beef broth and red wine (if using) to the pan helps to keep the meat moist and adds depth of flavor.

Use the right sides: Carne mechada can be served with a variety of sides such as rice, beans, avocado, and plantains, which complement the flavors of the dish.
Experiment with other ingredients: You can add other ingredients like sliced bell peppers, tomato sauce, or sofrito to the mixture for added flavor.
Store properly: Carne mechada can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Reheat properly: When reheating carne mechada, be sure to add a little bit of liquid to keep the meat from drying out, you can use broth or tomato sauce.

Ingredient Substitutes

Beef roast: The traditional cut of meat used is a flank or a shoulder roast. You could also use beef chuck, round or brisket.
Garlic: Used for flavor and can be substituted with garlic powder or fresh ginger.

Onions: Used for flavor and can be substituted with shallots, leeks, or scallions.
Olive oil: Used to brown the meat and can be substituted with any other oil with a high smoke point such as avocado, coconut or canola oil.
Cumin: Used for flavor and can be substituted with chili powder, smoked paprika, or ground coriander.

Oregano: Used for flavor and can be substituted with thyme, marjoram, or basil.
Bay leaves: Used for flavor and can be substituted with dried thyme or rosemary.
Salt and pepper: Used for flavor and can be adjusted to taste.

Beef broth or water: Used to braise the meat and can be substituted with chicken broth, vegetable broth, or tomato sauce.
Tomato sauce: Used for flavor and to create a sauce for the meat, it can be substituted with crushed tomatoes or canned tomato puree.

Remarks

In conclusion, carne mechada is a delicious and traditional Latin American dish that is enjoyed by many. It is made by slow-cooking a beef roast until it is tender and flavorful, and can be served in a variety of ways.

The recipe provided here is a classic version of the dish, but feel free to experiment with different seasonings and toppings to make it your own. Whether you’re serving it as a filling for sandwiches, a topping for rice and beans, or as a main dish, carne mechada is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Don’t forget to store it properly to enjoy its deliciousness later on. Buen provecho!