Authentic Filipino Kare-Kare Recipe – Rich, Creamy & Flavorful 🥜🇵🇭

Authentic Filipino Kare-Kare Recipe – Rich, Creamy & Flavorful 🥜🇵🇭

Introduction

Kare-Kare is a beloved Filipino peanut stew, known for its rich, nutty sauce and tender, slow-cooked meat. Traditionally made with oxtail, tripe, or pork, this dish is thickened with ground peanuts or peanut butter, giving it a creamy, savory, and slightly sweet flavor.

This dish is often served with steamed rice and a side of bagoong (fermented shrimp paste), which adds a salty umami contrast to the rich peanut sauce. Kare-Kare is a staple in Filipino celebrations and family gatherings, making it a true comfort food favorite.

This authentic Kare-Kare recipe will guide you through making a flavor-packed, restaurant-quality dish at home!

Kare-Kare Recipe

Ingredients:

🔹 For the Meat:

• 2 lbs oxtail (or a mix of pork belly, beef shank, and tripe)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups water (for boiling)

🔹 For the Peanut Sauce:

• 1 cup peanut butter (or ½ cup ground peanuts)
• 1 tablespoon annatto (achuete) powder or seeds (for color)
• 2 tablespoons rice flour or cornstarch (for thickening)
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce (optional, for extra umami)
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance flavors)
• 2 cups beef broth (from the boiled meat)

🔹 For the Vegetables:

• 1 bundle string beans (sitaw), cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 eggplant, sliced
• 1 bunch banana heart or bok choy

🔹 For Serving:

• Bagoong alamang (fermented shrimp paste)
• Steamed rice

Instructions:

Step 1: Boil & Tenderize the Meat

1️⃣ In a large pot, add oxtail, pork, or tripe with water, onion, garlic, salt, and black pepper.
2️⃣ Boil for 1.5 to 2 hours (or until tender). If using a pressure cooker, cook for 30-40 minutes.
3️⃣ Once tender, remove the meat and reserve the broth for the sauce.

Step 2: Prepare the Peanut Sauce

1️⃣ In a small pan, heat annatto powder with 1 tablespoon oil to release its color. Strain and set aside.
2️⃣ In a separate pan, toast rice flour or cornstarch until lightly browned. Set aside.
3️⃣ In a large pot, combine peanut butter, reserved broth, and annatto oil. Stir well.
4️⃣ Add fish sauce and sugar (optional), and simmer until thickened.

Step 3: Cook the Vegetables

1️⃣ In a separate pot, blanch string beans, eggplant, and banana heart (or bok choy) for 2-3 minutes. Set aside.

Step 4: Combine & Simmer

1️⃣ Add the boiled meat to the peanut sauce and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
2️⃣ Stir in the blanched vegetables and let them absorb the sauce.

Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!

1️⃣ Transfer to a serving dish and serve hot with bagoong on the side.
2️⃣ Enjoy Kare-Kare with steamed rice for the ultimate Filipino meal!

Tips & Variations:

✔ For Extra Creamy Sauce – Use freshly ground peanuts instead of peanut butter.
✔ For a Thicker Stew – Adjust rice flour or cornstarch as needed.
✔ For a Seafood Version – Replace meat with prawns or mussels for Seafood Kare-Kare.
✔ For a Healthier Version – Use lean cuts of beef or chicken.

Final Thoughts

Kare-Kare is a rich, indulgent dish that perfectly blends nutty, savory, and umami flavors. Whether made with oxtail, pork, or seafood, this dish is best enjoyed with bagoong and steamed rice for a truly satisfying Filipino meal.

Would you like a Pinterest-style image or a vegetarian Kare-Kare variation? Let me know! 🥜✨🍛