Chilean Mechada is a shredded beef slowed-cooked dish, and you might know it as Ropa Vieja in other Latin American countries.
What is Carne Mechada?
Carne Merchada is a popular dish found in Latin American cuisine. It is made by slowly cooking beef with onions, broth, and all kinds of delicious ingredients and later shredding it.
This is the traditional Chilean variation, but it’s also typical in Venezuela and Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Panama (as ropa vieja). The dish is named after the Spanish word for “shredded meat,” Carne Mechada.
Carne mechada is a versatile dish that can be served as a main course or filling for tacos, empanadas, or arepas. It is also often used as a topping for grains or beans.
Carne Mechada will be a hit with its juicy, flavorful meat, no matter how it is served.
Other Latin Recipes:
- Argentinian empanadas
- Porotos con Rienda
- Puerto Rican Rice and Pork Instant Pot
- Cuban Mojo Chicken
How to make Mechada?
Mechada is made in many different ways. Again, each country has its take on this, and it can be cooked using a slow cooker or stove and baked. You can even use a pressure cooker such as an Instant Pot to make it.
But if you want toenjoy Instant Pork, using a pressure cooker will be the way to go!
How to make Mechadausing an Instant Pot
In this recipe, we used a Dutch oven on the stovetop, but making this recipe using an Instant Pot is not hard. Follow the steps below.
Depending on your Instant Pot model, add the ingredients into your Instant Pot, press manual, or pressure cook.
Set the timer for 1 hour and let it naturally release (or at least 15 minutes); the meat will be easy to pull apart!
And you will have InstantPot Pork ready to serve!
What to serve with Mechada?
You can serve Mechada with:
- White rice
- French fries
- Mashed potatoes
- Baked potatoes
- Arepas
- Pupusas
- Tostones
- Salad
You can even make itinto tacos and empanadas!
In Chile is served as a sandwich filling (with tomato and avocado), and in Venezuela is served with arepas. And try it as a filler, Pupusas, and the result was delicious!
Can you freeze Mechada?
This Mechada recipe orRopa Vieja recipe will freeze well. I love to make a big batch and freeze halffor later when I want to make empanadas.
To freeze this Mechada recipe, use a freezer-friendly bag or container, date it, and place it in your freezer. Mechada will freeze well for up to 4 months. I’m sure if you use a Food Saver, it will last longer.
What are theingredients to make Mechada?
To make this ChileanRopa Vieja version, you are going to need the following ingredients listedbelow:
- Chuck roast
- Onion
- Garlic cloves
- Carrot
- Celery stick
- Wine
- Broth
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Now that you have gatheredall of the ingredients, it’s time to cook this Mechada.
Grab your favorite pot; we used a Dutch oven to make this shredded meat recipe. Add two tablespoons (Tbsp) to the pot and heat (medium-high).
Meanwhile, pat the meat dry and season it with salt and pepper. Once the pot is warm, add the meat and brown for about four minutes per side.
After both side of themeat has been browned, add the rest of the olive oil.
Then add the onions,garlic, carrots, and celery.
Continue to cook over medium-highheat for about 5 minutes.
Next, pour the wine and broth and cover. Lower the heat a bit and let it simmer for about 2 hours. Always check to see if you need to add more broth to it.
Once the meat is falling apart, shred the roast using two forks. Allow it to cook for 30 more minutes before serving.
Your Chilean Mechada isready to serve!
Simple Mechada Recipe
Now that you read all you need to know about making this Mechada recipe, it is time to print the recipe.
Carne Mechada de Chile
Yield: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Carne mechada is a shredded beef dish popular in many Latin American countries, including Chile, Peru, and Ecuador.
The dish is made by slowly cooking the beef until it is very tender and then shredding it into thin strips.
Carne mechada can be served with various accompaniments, including rice, beans, and tortillas. It is also often used as a filling for empanadas or tacos.
The dish is typically flavored with various spices, including cumin, chili powder, and garlic. Carne mechada is a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 2 Pounds chuck roast
- 1 Onion, diced
- 3 Garlic cloves, minced
- 1 Carrot, diced
- 1 Celery stick
- 1 Cup wine
- 5 Cups broth
- 4 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of pepper
Instructions
- Heat around 2 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven. Pat dry the meat and season with salt and pepper. Cook for around 4 minutes per side.
- Add the rest of the olive oil and add onion, garlic, carrot and celery — Cook for 5 more minutes.
- Pour wine and stock.
- Cover and let it simmer for 2 hours. Check constantly in case you need to add
more stock. - With the help of two forks, shred the roast — Cook for 30 more minutes.
- Remove from fire and serve.
Notes
We are not Nutritionist and rely on an online calculator to give out the best nutrition calculation. Please ask a certified nutritionist for information.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4Serving Size: 4
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 832Total Fat: 52gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 32gCholesterol: 197mgSodium: 1146mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 1gSugar: 6gProtein: 64g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.
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