Beef adobo is tender beef slow-cooked in a rich, tangy sauce made with soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and spices. It's a flavorful, easy-to-make Filipino classic that's perfect for meal prep or serving over rice.
First, let's make the marinade and cut our beef into chunks. You could easily use beef short rib or beef cheeks.
Mix the beef and the marinade together and let it sit in the fridge overnight or for about 8 hours.
The next morning, remove the beef from the marinade.
Next, we will pat the beef dry with a kitchen cloth and sear it in a heavy-bottomed cast-iron skillet. Make sure it's dry otherwise it won't sear.
When the meat is seared, you add the marinade straight to the pan and let it come to a boil.
The sauce will come to the boil and look split. Don't worry. This is just albumin from the meat juices, and it coagulates on the surface. Just strain it through a sieve and put the meat and the strained liquid in an oven-safe dish.
Wrap up with tin foil or close with a lid. Place in the oven at 150 °C or 300 °F for 3 hours or until the beef is soft and tender.
We are braising this adobo. Until it's rich, soft and succulent. Once you have checked it and you think it's done. Your dish is technically ready.
To thicken the adobo sauce. Pour the sauce into a small pot. Next, mix a bit of cornstarch with water to make a slurry.
Bring the sauce to the boil and add the slurry while whisking. The sauce will thicken up slightly but should not be overly thick.
When done, add back the beef and serve with your side of choice.
Notes
Adobo can be made with many other things, as I mentioned in this post. My favourite being pork neck or belly.
Remember that all types of meat and vegetables have different cooking times, and it's best to test often for doneness.
Don't use lean beef, as it will result in dry meat.
If your meat needs longer to become tender, turn down the oven temperature a touch and let it cook longer until it's soft. See tips for success section.
To make this beef adobo gluten-free be sure to use a gluten-free soy sauce.
Although not a spicy dish, you could easily add some heat by adding some chopped chili.
Storage and reheating
Refrigeration: Store leftover Beef Adobo in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. To reheat on the stovetop, warm it gently over low heat, adding a bit of water or broth if needed to maintain the sauce consistency.
Freezing: Beef Adobo can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Let it cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container or bag. When ready to serve, thaw it overnight in the fridge, then reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth to rehydrate the sauce.
Note: Beef Adobo tends to taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.