Filipino Beef Mechado
Filipino Beef Mechado is a savory and tangy tomato-based stew featuring beef, typically brisket or chuck, simmered until tender. Its signature flavor comes from a combination of tomatoes, soy sauce, and citrus, often calamansi or lemon, with potatoes and bell peppers as common additions. It is a beloved main dish in Filipino cuisine, representing the country's Spanish culinary influences.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is a balanced source of high-quality protein from the beef, with moderate fat content depending on the cut used. It provides a good amount of iron, B vitamins, and potassium, with a typical serving containing roughly 400-500 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 450 kcal |
| Protein | 35 g |
| Carbs | 15 g |
| Fat | 28 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 800 mg |
| Iron | 4.5 mg |
| Potassium | 650 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.5 mcg |
| Zinc | 6 mg |
| Vitamin C | 25 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 10 mg |
| Phosphorus | 280 mg |
| Lycopene | 8 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
The name 'Mechado' is derived from the Spanish word 'mecha,' meaning 'wick,' referring to the traditional practice of larding beef with strips of fat to keep it moist during cooking. Nutritionally, the tomato base is a great source of lycopene, an antioxidant that becomes more bioavailable when cooked with fats like those in the beef.
