Caldo de Res is a traditional Mexican beef soup that’s hearty, flavorful, and loaded with vegetables. Here’s a simple recipe for making Caldo de Res:
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds (about 1 kg) beef shank or beef stew meat, cut into chunks
- 1 large onion, quartered
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 large potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 2 ears of corn, cut into thirds
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1/2 head of cabbage, chopped
- 1 bunch of cilantro, tied with kitchen twine
- 1 lime, cut into wedges for serving
- Corn tortillas for serving
Instructions:
- Prepare the Beef:
- In a large soup pot, add the beef shank or stew meat, quartered onion, minced garlic, bay leaves, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Add enough water to cover the ingredients. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to simmer. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface.
- Simmer the Broth:
- Allow the broth to simmer for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the meat is tender. Add more water as needed to maintain the desired level of broth.
- Add Vegetables:
- Add the sliced carrots, potatoes, corn, zucchini, and chopped cabbage to the pot. Continue simmering until the vegetables are tender, usually about 30 minutes.
- Tie Cilantro:
- Tie the cilantro bunch with kitchen twine and add it to the pot. This imparts flavor to the broth.
- Adjust Seasoning:
- Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve:
- Once the vegetables are tender, and the meat is fully cooked, remove the cilantro bunch and bay leaves. Discard them.
- Serve Hot:
- Ladle the Caldo de Res into bowls. Serve hot with lime wedges on the side and corn tortillas.
- Enjoy:
- Enjoy this delicious and comforting Caldo de Res!
Caldo de Res is a wholesome and comforting soup that’s perfect for cold days or when you’re craving a satisfying meal. Feel free to customize the vegetables based on your preferences.
