Nilagang Baka (Filipino Beef Soup)

Nilagang baka is a Filipino beef soup with vegetables like green beans, carrots, potatoes, cabbage and pechay. The best beef soup is combining the beef with bony parts like beef ribs but you can also make soup stock by boiling the bones. When buying beef, it is also recommended to choose meat with some fat to improve the taste. This is a very popular Filipino comfort food that you can cook with ease.

A Delightful Filipino Beef Soup Recipe

A classic Filipino beef soup, is a comforting dish that warms both the body and soul. With its rich broth and a medley of vegetables, this dish has become a staple in Filipino households. In this article, we will guide you through the art of preparing the perfect Pinoy beef soup, ensuring a delightful culinary experience for you and your loved ones.

Choosing the Right Ingredients

To create an authentic nilagang baka, start with the key ingredients: beef, vegetables, and flavorful additions. Opt for beef with a reasonable amount of fat, as it enhances the overall taste of the soup. The combination of meat and bony parts, such as beef ribs, contributes to a robust and savory broth.

Crafting the Perfect Soup Stock

Begin your culinary journey by boiling the beef in a pot with peppercorns and onions. This process infuses the broth with essential flavors. For an extra layer of depth, consider using a homemade soup stock created by boiling beef bones. This simple yet crucial step lays the foundation for a hearty and satisfying dish.

The Art of Simmering

Cover the pot and let the magic happen as you allow the beef to simmer for approximately 30 minutes. This slow-cooking method ensures that the meat becomes tender and absorbs the flavors of the broth. If needed, add water to prevent the pot from drying up, maintaining the perfect consistency of your dish.

Adding the Vegetables

The beauty of this beef soup dish lies in its vibrant assortment of vegetables. Introduce carrots and potatoes into the simmering pot, letting them absorb the savory essence of the beef broth. Continue simmering until the potatoes reach the desired tenderness, infusing them with the rich flavors of the soup.

Cabbage, Green Beans and Pechay: A Colorful Finale

Elevate the visual and culinary appeal of your dish by adding cabbage, green beans and pechay. These leafy greens contribute freshness and a burst of color to the dish. As they mingle with the beef and other vegetables, the soup transforms into a wholesome medley of flavors and textures.

Balancing Flavors: Salt and MSG

Achieving the perfect balance of flavors is crucial in crafting a memorable beef soup. Once the vegetables have been added, season the soup with salt and MSG according to your taste preferences. This step allows you to customize the dish to suit your palate, ensuring a delightful dining experience.

Serving The Nilagang Baka

The culmination of your culinary efforts is the moment you’ve been waiting for – serving the steaming hot bowl of the soup. Ladle the flavorful broth, ensuring each bowl receives a generous portion of beef, vegetables, and aromatic broth. Garnish with fresh herbs for an extra touch of brightness.

Embracing The Dish as a Filipino Comfort Food

It is more than just a dish; it’s a comforting embrace that brings people together. Whether enjoyed on a chilly evening or as a remedy for a weary soul, this Filipino beef soup holds a special place in the hearts of many. Embrace the warmth of this dish as you share it with friends and family.

Wrapping-Up: A Symphony of Flavors in Every Bowl

Nilagang baka is a celebration of simplicity and wholesome goodness. From selecting the right ingredients to simmering the perfect broth and adding a rainbow of vegetables, every step contributes to a symphony of flavors in every bowl. As you savor the warmth of this Filipino comfort food, you’ll find yourself transported to a place where culinary mastery and heartfelt traditions coalesce. Prepare the dish with love, and let it become a cherished part of your culinary repertoire.

Print Recipe

How to Cook Nilagang Baka

Nilagang baka is a Filipino beef soup with vegetables like carrots, potatoes, cabbage and pechay.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 45 minutes mins

Course: Beef Recipe

Cuisine: Filipino

Keyword: Filipino beef soup, nilagang baka

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 382kcal

Author: Manny

Ingredients

• 3/4 kilo beef sirloin, bone-in ribs, chuck shoulder sliced in 2 inches length
• 2 pcs beef bouillon dissolved in 4 cups water or 4 cups beef bones soup stock
• 1 tsp. whole peppercorn
• 1 pc onion sliced
• 2 pcs medium size carrots sliced in four portion
• 3 pcs medium size potatoes sliced in four portion
• 1 bunch small pechay optional
• 1 head small cabbage sliced in four portion
• 100 grams green beans or Baguio beans
• Salt to taste
• MSG or granulated seasoning to taste optional

Instructions

How to cook Nilagang Baka:

• Boil the beef until tender with peppercorns and onion in a pot with the soup stock or the water with the dissolved bouillon. Add water if necessary to avoid drying up.
• Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Add the carrots and potatoes and simmer until potatoes are fork tender. Then add the remaining ingredients (cabbage, pechay, green beans) and put salt and MSG according to your taste. Serve hot.

Notes

Cooking Tips:

1. Choose Quality Beef: When preparing the dish, the choice of beef plays a pivotal role in the dish's overall taste and texture. Opt for beef that includes a moderate amount of fat, as this fat content enhances the richness of the soup. Additionally, incorporating bony parts, such as beef ribs, contributes to a more robust and flavorful broth. The combination of lean meat and bony cuts ensures a harmonious balance, providing a delightful eating experience.
2. Craft a Robust Broth: The foundation of a stellar beef soup lies in its broth. To achieve a rich and savory base, begin by boiling the beef with essential aromatics like peppercorns and onions. This step infuses the broth with the natural flavors of the ingredients. For an extra layer of depth, consider using a homemade soup stock derived from boiling beef bones. This simple yet crucial addition elevates the overall taste, making your this soup a standout dish.
3. Timing is Key for Vegetables: Achieving the perfect texture for vegetables in this dish requires careful timing. Start by adding heartier vegetables like carrots and potatoes during the initial stages of simmering. This allows these ingredients to absorb the savory essence of the beef broth and attain the desired tenderness. To preserve the freshness and vibrant colors of more delicate vegetables like cabbage and pechay, introduce them later in the cooking process. This thoughtful approach ensures that each vegetable contributes its unique qualities to the dish, resulting in a visually appealing and well-balanced nilagang baka.

Nutrition Notes:

Calorie and other nutrition information is derived from HappyFolks.Com recipe nutrition calculator. The percent daily value (%DV) is based on a daily 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutrition Facts:

Amount per Serving:616g, Calories:382kcal, From fat:129,  Total fat:14.1g, Saturated Fat:5.8g, Trans Fat:0g, Cholesterol:90mg, Sodium: 1586 Total Carbohydrate: 31g, Dietary Fiber: 8g, Sugars: 9g, Protein: 34g, Vitamin A: 10%, Vitamin C: 168%, Calcium:16%, Iron: 23%