Ground beef stew is a popular homemade dish across Latin American kitchens, often served with rice, beans, fried sweet plantains, potatoes, or avocado. It is a simple, affordable, and filling recipe made with ground beef simmered in a flavorful base of onion, garlic, tomato, bell pepper, and spices.
It is an everyday family meal, loved because it is quick, practical, and full of comforting flavor.
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Colombian Ground Beef Stew
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Colombian
Ingredients
- 500 g ground beef
- 150 g chopped white onion (1 medium onion)
- 120 g chopped tomato (1 medium tomato)
- 80 g chopped red bell pepper (1/2 bell pepper)
- 300 g potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes (2 medium potatoes)
- 10 g chopped garlic (2 cloves)
- 30 ml vegetable oil (2 tablespoons)
- 5 g ground cumin (1 teaspoon)
- 5 g achiote powder or paste (color) (1 teaspoon)
- 5 g salt (1 teaspoon)
- 2 g ground black pepper (1/2 teaspoon)
- 120 ml water (1/2 cup)
- 20 g chopped cilantro (1/4 cup)
Preparation
- Make the sofrito, heat the oil in a large skillet and cook the onion, bell pepper, and garlic for about 4 minutes, until the onion looks translucent and fragrant.
- Add the tomato, stir in the chopped tomato and cook for 3 more minutes until it begins to break down and forms a juicy base.
- Cook the beef, add the ground beef and break it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Add the salt, pepper, cumin, and achiote, mixing well to distribute the flavors.
- Simmer the stew, add the potatoes along with the water or broth, cover, and cook over medium-low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, until the potatoes are tender and the liquid has reduced to a stew-like consistency.
- Finish and serve, add the chopped cilantro, stir well, adjust the salt, and serve hot.
Practical Tips
Use ground beef with a little fat for a juicier stew.
Avoid cooking the beef too long over high heat, as it can dry out.
Cook the tomato well before adding the beef for a richer flavor.
Traditional Variations
Some variants replace both the potato and the tomato with peas, along with herbs such as thyme, basil, oregano, and bay leaf, thickened with a little cornstarch.
Some families add diced carrot for extra texture variety.
How to Serve
Serve ground beef stew hot with white rice, fried sweet plantains, avocado, or beans. It can also be used as a filling for empanadas, stuffed potatoes, or casseroles.
Recommended Sides
- White rice
- Fried sweet plantains
- Avocado
- Lentils or beans
- Fresh salad
Fun Fact
Ground beef stew is one of those family recipes that changes slightly from home to home. The base is simple, but every cook adds a personal touch through spices, vegetables, potatoes, or a richer sofrito.
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditional versions usually use ground beef. A little fat helps the stew stay juicy and flavorful, so avoid meat that is extremely lean.
Yes. You can make it ahead and reheat it gently with a few tablespoons of water or broth to bring back its saucy texture.
Do not cook it too long without liquid. After browning the beef with the sofrito, add water or broth and let it simmer gently.
