Description
This Beef Asado with Prunes and Almonds is a slow-braised dish rich with savory-sweet flavor, tender beef, and a glossy sauce made with prunes and spices. Toasted almonds on top add a satisfying crunch, making this meal unforgettable.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1.5 kg beef short ribs or stew cuts
- 1 cup prunes
- 1/2 cup raw almonds
- 2 medium onions, sliced
- 5 garlic cloves, smashed
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- Water, enough to cover beef during cooking
Instructions
- Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the beef in batches until browned on all sides. Set aside.
- Lower heat and sauté onions and garlic until soft and fragrant.
- Return beef to the pot. Add soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, and black pepper. Stir to coat.
- Add prunes and enough water to just cover the beef. Bring to a simmer.
- Cover and cook on low for 2.5 to 3 hours until the beef is fork-tender and sauce is thickened.
- Meanwhile, toast almonds in a dry skillet until golden. Set aside.
- Remove bay leaves and cinnamon sticks. Transfer beef to a platter, spoon sauce over top, and sprinkle with toasted almonds.
Notes
- Use bone-in cuts for deeper flavor and tenderness.
- Don’t add almonds early—they’ll lose their crunch.
- Make ahead and reheat—the flavor only improves.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 110mg