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Filipino

Kare-Kare (Filipino Peanut Beef Stew)

Kare-kare is a Filipino peanut beef stew with tender shank, annatto-colored sauce, vegetables, and shrimp paste seasoning.

Published and reviewed by Kitchgrow on 2 September 2026Updated

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Kare-Kare (Filipino Peanut Beef Stew)

1 hr 50 mintotal

Prep 20 min · Cook 1 hr 30 min

Serves
2
Difficulty
Medium
Spice
Mild
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Ingredients

Quantities are for 2 servings.

You'll need: Stovetop.

No inactive time is listed; the long simmer is active stovetop time to soften the beef before the peanut sauce and vegetables are added.

Method

  1. Heat oil in a heavy pot over medium heat, add annatto seeds, and cook for 1 minute until the oil turns orange.

    1 min

  2. Remove the annatto seeds from the oil, then add onion and garlic and sauté for 2 minutes.

    2 min

  3. Add beef shank and sear for 4 to 5 minutes until the outside is lightly browned.

    4–5 min

  4. Add water, bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 70 to 75 minutes until the beef is tender.

    1 hr 10 min–1 hr 15 min

  5. Stir in ground roasted peanuts and shrimp paste, then simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until the sauce thickens.

    8–10 min

  6. Add eggplant, yardlong beans, and cabbage, then cook for 8 to 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender but not mushy.

    8–10 min

  7. Season with salt and ground black pepper, then serve while the sauce is thick and warm.

How to tell it's done

The beef should be tender, the sauce thick and nutty, and the vegetables just cooked.

Getting it right

Tip

Add salt only after shrimp paste goes in because shrimp paste can be very salty.

What to serve it with

Serve with steamed rice and a small extra spoon of shrimp paste on the side if desired.

Common mistakes

The sauce is thin, gritty, or too salty.
Use finely ground roasted peanuts, simmer until the sauce coats the spoon, and add salt only after tasting the shrimp paste.

Substitutions

  • Beef Shank → Beef — Use another slow-cooking beef cut if beef shank is unavailable.
  • Yardlong Beans → Green Beans — Green beans work well and cook in a similar time.
  • Roasted Peanuts → Peanuts — Dry roast the peanuts before grinding for a deeper flavor.

Storing and reheating

Refrigerate kare-kare for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of water; freeze the beef and sauce for up to 1 month, but add fresh vegetables after thawing.