Beef Pochero

🇵🇭 Visayan-Style Pochero (Cebuano Comfort Food)

Serves: 6 people

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 2.5 hours

Budget: Around ₱500 (~$9 USD)

Ingredients

Ingredient	Amount (Metric)	Notes
Cooking oil	2 tablespoons	Any neutral oil like sunflower or veg oil
Garlic	8 cloves	Finely diced
Red onions	1–2 medium	Roughly chopped
Ginger	50g (approx.)	Cut into strips
Beef	750g	More if using bone-in for extra flavour
Whole peppercorns	1 teaspoon
Salt	2 pinches	Or to taste
Water	2 litres (8 cups)
Lemongrass	1 bunch (2–3 stalks)	Bundled or tied
Saba bananas	3 pieces	Roughly chopped
Corn cobs	1–2 pieces	Cut into chunks
Spring onions	3–4 stalks	Roughly chopped
Fish sauce	2–4 teaspoons	To taste
Cabbage	½ head (approx. 400g)	Roughly chopped

Instructions

1. Sauté Aromatics: Heat oil in a large pot. Add garlic, onion, and ginger. Cook until fragrant.

   
   

2. Brown the Beef: Add the beef and sear on all sides to develop flavour.

   
   

3. Build the Broth: Add peppercorns, salt, water, and lemongrass. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours, or until the beef is tender.

   
   

4. Add Veggies & Flavour: Toss in the chopped saba bananas, corn, and spring onions. Season with fish sauce and more salt if needed. Simmer for 15 minutes.

   
   

5. Final Step: Add the cabbage and simmer for another 10 minutes, or until just softened.

   
   

6. Serve: Spoon into bowls and serve hot with rice.

   
   

💡 Tips:

• If you can’t find saba bananas, try plantains or firm ripe bananas — but saba is best.

• This dish gets even better the next day. Reheat gently.

• Add bone marrow or beef shanks for extra depth

• ENJOY!