Filipino food is one of the most rapidly growing cuisines in the United States. Filipino food is known for being a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. One Filipino dish that has seen an increase in popularity is Beef Pares.

Beef pares is one of the most famous dishes in the Philippines, and its popularity is rapidly spreading across the United States. If you are unfamiliar with beef pares, Panlasang Pinoy, a popular chef on Youtube, has provided a version of the recipe on his website.

Keep reading to learn everything you need to make this incredible authentic Filipino dish.

What Is Beef Pares?

But what exactly is it? Beef pares, also spelled pares or pari-pari, originated from the Philippines and has Spanish and Chinese influences in its ingredients and flavors. But what is pares meaning? Pares is a term used to describe a dish consisting of tender beef chunks simmered in a savory sauce with star anise and sugar.

The dish is very popular because it combines sweet and savory flavors. You cook the beef until it is melt-in-your-mouth tender, making it irresistible to many. This dish can also be easily customized with added vegetables or served over rice or noodles.

The dish is always served with beef broth. The beef broth can take a long period to make, so it’s best made ahead of time.

Beef Pares Recipe

Beef pares, also spelled pares or pari-pari, originated from the Philippines and has Spanish and Chinese influences in its ingredients and flavors. But what is pares meaning? Pares is a term used to describe a dish consisting of tender beef chunks simmered in a savory sauce with star anise and sugar.

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Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 45 mins

Total Time 55 mins

Course Beef, Main Course

Cuisine Filipino

Servings 6

Calories 207 kcal

Ingredients

  

Beef Pares:

• 2½ pounds Beef cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 Tbsp Vegetable oil
• 1 Small onion chopped
• 2 Star anises
• ¼ cups Brown sugar
• 4 oz Scallions chopped
• ¼ cups Soy sauce
• 2 Thumbs of ginger minced
• 6 Cloves of garlic crushed
• 40 ml Water
• Salt and pepper
• 1 cube Beef boullion

Beef Stock:

• 1 Beef cube or beef bullion
• 2 pounds Beef bones (beef neck bones are the best)
• 1 Chopped carrot
• 1 Chopped onion
• 3 Chopped stalks of celery
• 3 Tbsp White vinegar

Instructions

 

The Beef Broth:

• Set your oven to broil.
• Clean the beef bones and put them on a roasting rack.
• Roast the beef bones for 20 minutes.
• Add 6 cups of water to a large soup pot and bring the water to a boil.
• Add the roasted beef bones, mirepoix (carrot, celery, and onion), vinegar, and a cube of beef stock.
• Allow the soup to boil before reducing it to a simmer and covering it. Cook the soup for at least 3 hours and for as long as overnight. If cooking overnight, you may need to add some additional water.
• Remove the bones and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Beef Pares:

• Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet and saute the onion, ginger, and garlic. Once the onions are translucent, add the beef. Brown the beef in batches until it is light brown on all sides. Do not overcrowd the pan.
• Once you have browned all the pieces of beef, return them to the pan and deglaze the pan with the soy sauce and water.
• Add the beef bullion and star anise. Cover and cook until the meat is tender - 3-4 hours. You may need to add water if too much evaporates.
• Once the beef is tender, add the brown sugar and season with salt and black pepper. Cook until the sauce reduces.
• Top with the chopped scallions and serve with the homemade beef broth and garlic fried rice.

Keyword beef pares

Tips & Tricks for Beef Pares Recipe

To speed up the cooking process, you can cook the Beef Pares food in a pressure cooker. A pressure cooker dramatically reduces the cooking time, and you can have tender beef in as little as 30 minutes.

For added flavor, you can add some sliced carrots or bell peppers during the cooking process. If you want to add vegetables, add them during the last 30 minutes of the cooking process; otherwise, they will overcook.

Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in a skillet over low heat. Often the leftovers are even better than the original dish because the additional time in the refrigerator allows them to soak up even more flavor. Then, warm up the beef slowly on the stovetop. This dish will last up to a week in the fridge, although it is unlikely to last that long. You can also freeze it for up to two months.

To save time, make the beef broth in large batches ahead of time. Then, you can quickly freeze the beef broth. It will stay good in the refrigerator for up to six months if stored properly.

If you cannot find star anise, you can use half a teaspoon of five-spice powder to replace it.

If you want to make this dish spicy, add some green chili to the beef broth and the beef while you cook it. You can make it as spicy as you want.

Nutrition Information of Beef Pares Recipe

One serving of this dish (about ½ cup) has about 207 calories and 8 grams of fat. It also contains 16 grams of protein and 6 grams of carbohydrates. This dish is the perfect part of a balanced meal, with its combination of protein and vegetables.

Conclusion

Whether you are new to Filipino food or a veteran Filipino chef doesn’t matter. You have to give Beef Pares a try. Making this Beef Pares dish at home is a great way to enjoy delicious Filipino cuisine.

The braised beef in this dish will warm you up on the coldest nights, and each bite is an explosion of flavor. With its balance of sweet and savory flavors, it’s sure to be a favorite among family and friends.

You can enjoy this dish any night of the week with its easy-to-follow steps and simple ingredients. It is the perfect make-ahead meal. So give it a try and enjoy the flavors of Filipino cuisine in your kitchen. Enjoy!

How did you discover Beef Pares? Let us know in the comments below.