Home Cook Together. Celebrate Life.

Middle EasternAuthentic Cuisine

Middle Eastern Beef Pot

Serves 4 to 6 Entree meat

Middle Eastern Beef Pot

Middle Eastern Beef Pot is a comforting dish that finds its place at the heart of family dinners, where the table is set for sharing and the meal is prepared with the intuitive touch of home cooks. This recipe captures the essence of how it’s made in kitchens across the region, with salt judged by hand and a generous use of fat to enrich the flavors.

The dish offers tender beef cubes nestled among slices of sweet carrot and softened onion, all simmered in a savory broth that speaks of warmth and simplicity. With every spoonful, the balance of rich beef and fresh vegetables creates a comforting embrace, perfect for sharing over lively conversation and laughter.

Ingredients

  • 800 gbeef cubes
  • 2carrots
  • 1onion
  • 2 tbspoil
  • 500 mlwater
  • to tastefine sea salt and black pepper

Method

  1. Begin by seasoning 800 g of beef cubes generously with fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Ensure each piece is well-coated by tossing them in a large bowl. This step enhances the beef's flavor and helps form a savory crust during browning.
  2. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the beef cubes in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Brown the beef on all sides until each piece develops a deep, rich color. This should take about 3-4 minutes per side. Browning the beef intensifies its flavor and creates a base for the dish.
  3. While the beef is browning, peel and slice 2 carrots into rounds and chop 1 onion finely. Once the beef is browned, remove it from the pot and set it aside on a plate. Add the chopped onion to the pot, using the remaining oil and beef drippings. Sauté the onion over medium heat until it becomes translucent and starts to caramelize, about 5 minutes.
  4. Add the sliced carrots to the pot with the onions, stirring occasionally. Cook for another 3 minutes until the carrots begin to soften slightly. This step allows the vegetables to absorb the flavors from the beef drippings and onions.
  5. Return the browned beef cubes to the pot, along with any juices that have accumulated on the plate. Pour in 500 ml of water, ensuring the beef and vegetables are just submerged. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
  6. Once simmering, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and reduce the heat to low. Allow the beef to braise gently for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the meat is tender and easily pierced with a fork. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld and the beef to become succulent.
  7. Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. The broth should be savory and well-balanced. Serve the Middle Eastern Beef Pot hot, alongside rice, bread, or a simple salad, encouraging everyone at the table to share and enjoy.
Cover of Authentic Middle Eastern Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Middle Eastern Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Middle Eastern Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Middle Eastern volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Available soon on Amazon…

Explore Middle Eastern cuisine