Recipe Roundups

12 Easy and Simple Pinoy Beef Recipes You Can Cook

May 6, 2025

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Beef may be more expensive than other meats, but it is one of the ingredients I really enjoy cooking with at home. To be honest, nothing beats the richness and depth of flavor you get from a well-cooked beef dish. Whether it is a saucy stew, a hearty soup, or a quick stir-fry, beef ulam always hits the spot, especially with freshly cooked rice.

This list includes the best of the best when it comes to Filipino beef dishes. Some are classics like Kare Kare and Caldereta, while others are everyday favorites like Bistek and Corned Beef. If you are a fan of big flavors and comforting meals, these 12 beef recipes deserve a spot in your regular ulam rotation.

Beef Caldereta

Who doesn’t love a good Beef Caldereta? That thick, savory sauce with liver spread, potatoes, bell peppers, and cheese, it hits all the right spots. This is the kind of ulam you serve when you want to impress but still keep it proudly Pinoy.

Beef Kare-Kare

This peanut-based stew is thick, creamy, and always needs bagoong on the side, walang kulang. Whether you use oxtail, tripe, or beef chunks, the sauce hugs everything perfectly. It’s one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug with every bite.

Beef Mechado

Beef Mechado is the chill cousin of Caldereta. Tomato sauce, tender beef, plus carrots and potatoes, classic, simple, and always tasty. It’s a go-to for regular days when you want something flavorful but easy to make.

Beef Salpicao

Short on time but still craving something flavorful? Beef Salpicao is your quick, garlicky stir-fry that always delivers. Those beef cubes cooked in butter, soy sauce, and lots of garlic are just packed with umami.

Beef Bulalo

Bulalo is the kind of soup that warms your soul. The beef shank gets so tender it almost melts, and the clear broth becomes rich after hours of boiling. Add corn and cabbage for that touch of sweetness and enjoy it with rice and a bit of patis or calamansi on the side.

Nilagang Baka

Nilagang Baka is comfort in a bowl. Simple ingredients like beef, potatoes, and cabbage come together to make a clean and satisfying broth. It is the perfect rainy-day ulam that brings that homey feel.

Beef Balbacua

If you want bold flavors, Balbacua is your ulam. This southern-style stew is thick and sticky, cooked slowly with cuts like oxtail or beef tendons until the sauce turns rich and full of flavor. Every spoonful is meaty, spicy, and unforgettable.

Filipino Beef Steak or Bistek Tagalog

Laing is made from dried gabi leaves slow-cooked in coconut milk with chili and shrimp paste. It’s creamy, spicy, and packed with rich flavor. This dish is perfect when paired with fried fish or grilled meat. A true Bicolano favorite that’s loved all over the country!

Pork and Beef Giniling

Giniling is a staple in many Filipino homes. Ground meat is cooked in tomato sauce with potatoes, carrots, and green peas for that classic taste. It is simple, tasty, and easy to cook in big batches for the whole week.

Beef Tapa

Tapa is sweet, savory, and always flavorful. The beef is marinated until every slice soaks up the flavor, then fried until the edges are caramelized. Best paired with garlic rice and egg for that classic tapsilog combo.

Corned Beef

Corned beef is the ultimate quick ulam. Just sauté with garlic and onions and maybe add tomatoes or potatoes if you want to level it up. It is affordable, filling, and goes so well with hot rice or even pandesal.

Ginisang Monggo

Ginisang Monggo is a hearty mung bean stew cooked with garlic, onions, tomatoes, and pork bits. Sometimes, you’ll find it with malunggay or ampalaya for extra flavor. It’s healthy, filling, and always masarap with rice. A comforting ulam perfect for any day!

Ginisang Corned Beef with Cabbage

I often see this on social media, so I thought of adding it here. It’s a simple yet satisfying dish made by sautéing canned corned beef with garlic, onions, and cabbage. Quick, budget-friendly, and perfect for when you need a tasty meal in no time.