A new recipe every week

Filipino meat favorite

Pochero

A hearty Filipino beef stew with saba bananas, chickpeas, potatoes, cabbage, and green beans.

Serves 6Prep: 25 minutesCook: 1 hour 50 minutes
Pochero plated on Maria's breakfast bar

How to cook Pochero

1

Brown the beef

Heat oil and brown the beef well in batches; set aside.

2

Cook the aromatics

Sauté onion and garlic, then add tomatoes and cook until soft.

3

Braise

Add tomato sauce, stock, fish sauce, and beef. Cover and simmer 75–90 minutes.

4

Cook potatoes and bananas

Add potatoes. Pan-fry the saba separately until golden, then add to the pot with chickpeas.

5

Finish the vegetables

Add green beans and cabbage and simmer 6–8 minutes. Season to taste.

6

Plate and serve

Arrange the beef and vegetables in a rustic bowl, keeping the golden saba visible,.

Maria’s tip: Prepare all ingredients before cooking so the dish comes together smoothly and the vegetables keep their shape.
Food safety: Cook meat thoroughly, avoid cross-contamination, and refrigerate leftovers promptly.