Authentic Filipino Bulalo Recipe: A Comforting Beef Marrow Stew

Ingredients

  • 1 kilogram beef shank
  • 1 piece bone marrow
  • 2 pieces corn on the cob, each cut into 3 parts
  • 1 bundle of bok choy (pechay)
  • 1 bundle of long green beans (Baguio beans)
  • 1 piece cabbage, quartered
  • 3 pieces medium-sized potatoes, quartered
  • 1 piece white onion
  • 1 tablespoon whole peppercorn
  • 2 tablespoon fish sauce (patis)
  • 3 liters water

Steps and instructions

  1. Place the beef shank and bone marrow in a large pot. Add water and let it boil over medium heat.
  2. Once the water starts to boil, skim off impurities that rise to the surface.
  3. Add the onion and peppercorns to the pot. Cover the pot and simmer for at least 3 hours or until the beef becomes tender. Add more water if necessary.
  4. Add the corn and simmer for another 10 minutes.
  5. Add the potatoes and cook until they are soft.
  6. Add the fish sauce and stir.
  7. Add the cabbage, bok choy, and long green beans. Continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes.
  8. Transfer the soup to a serving bowl and serve hot with soy sauce and calamansi on the side.

Tools for making

  • Large pot - A pot large enough to hold the beef shank, bone marrow, and other ingredients.
  • Skimming spoon - A spoon used for skimming off impurities from the soup.
  • Chopping board - A sturdy surface for cutting and preparing the vegetables.
  • Knife - A sharp knife for cutting the vegetables and other ingredients.
  • Measuring spoon - A spoon used for measuring the fish sauce.
  • Serving bowl - A bowl for serving the hot bulalo soup.

Recipe variations

  • Instead of beef shank, you can use beef ribs or beef brisket.
  • You can add other vegetables such as carrots, celery, or sweet potatoes.
  • For a spicier version, you can add chili peppers or chili powder.
  • To enhance the flavor, you can add garlic cloves or ginger.
  • If you prefer a meat-free option, you can use tofu or tempeh instead of beef.
  • For a heartier soup, you can add noodles such as rice noodles or egg noodles.
  • You can experiment with different seasonings such as oyster sauce or Worcestershire sauce.
  • For a richer broth, you can add beef broth or beef bouillon cubes.
  • To make it more savory, you can add a splash of soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce.
  • For a twist, you can add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice before serving.

Recipe overview

"Bulalo is a classic Filipino soup made from beef shank and bone marrow. This hearty and comforting dish is slowly simmered until the beef is tender and the bone marrow has melted into the broth, enhancing its flavor. This recipe also includes delicious vegetables such as corn, potatoes, and leafy greens. It's a perfect dish for family dinners, especially in cold weather. This Bulalo recipe will guide you every step of the way towards creating a flavorful and nutrition-packed meal that your family will surely love."

Common questions

  1. How long does it take to cook Bulalo?
    Bulalo typically takes around 3 to 4 hours to cook until the beef becomes tender.
  2. What type of beef is best for Bulalo?
    Beef shank is the best cut of beef for making Bulalo as it has a good amount of fat and connective tissues that add flavor and contribute to the richness of the broth.
  3. Can I use other vegetables in Bulalo?
    Yes, you can add other vegetables of your choice like carrots or celery. However, the traditional vegetables used in Bulalo are corn, bok choy, long green beans, and cabbage.
  4. Can I use a pressure cooker to make Bulalo?
    Yes, you can use a pressure cooker to make Bulalo. It will significantly reduce the cooking time, but the flavors may not develop as deeply compared to simmering it for a longer period of time.
  5. Should I skim off the impurities that rise to the surface?
    Yes, it is important to skim off the impurities that rise to the surface during the initial boiling process. This helps to achieve a clear and clean broth.

Serving dishes and utensils

  • Large pot - A large pot is needed to cook the beef shank and bone marrow along with the other ingredients.
  • Skimmer - A skimmer is useful for removing impurities that rise to the surface of the boiling broth.
  • Knife - A knife is necessary for cutting the corn on the cob, potatoes, and cabbage into the desired size.
  • Serving bowl - A serving bowl is needed to present and serve the hot Bulalo soup.
  • Soy sauce dish - A small dish is useful for serving soy sauce, which can be used as a dipping sauce for the Bulalo.
  • Calamansi dish - Another small dish is needed for serving calamansi, which can be squeezed into the soup for added flavor.

Origin stories

Bulalo, a well-loved Filipino dish, hails from the Southern Luzon region of the Philippines, particularly in Batangas, where it is renowned for its cattle trade. The dish embodies the Filipinos' thrift and ingenuity, turning a cheap and often discarded cut of beef, the shank, into a rich, comforting soup. The bone marrow, once considered undesirable, is now the star of the dish, lending the soup an incredibly rich and savory flavor that has won the hearts of locals and tourists alike. This dish, steeped in cultural history, is often enjoyed in cool weather, paired with a dipping sauce of soy and calamansi, and steamed rice. It's more than just a meal; it's a culinary experience that warms the body and soul.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.