Puerto Rican Style Sancocho Recipe (Hearty & Flavorful)

A warm, hearty beef-based stew that’s layered with complex flavor and a variety of starches native to Africa and the Caribbean.

📝 Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil (ghee is another option)
• 1 large yellow onion (sliced)
• 5 cloves garlic (diced)
• 1 medium Yuca (peeled and cut into 1/4 inch chunks)
• 1 medium Malanga root (peeled and cut into 1/4 inch chunks)
• 1 Green Plantain (peeled and cut into 1/4 inch chunks)
• 2 Bone-in Chicken thighs (skin removed)
• 6 oz Beef hind shank
• 1 1/2 lbs Beef chuck roast (cubed into 1 inch chunks)
• 1 whole lime (juiced)
• 4 quarts Beef Stock
• 1 lb sausage sliced into 1/4 inch slices - Andouille or chorizo or longaniza
• 1 small Pumpkin (peeled, de-seeded, and cut into 1/4 inch cubes)
• 2 ears Corn cob (sliced in quarters)
• 1 medium Chayote
• 4-5 sweet peppers
• 1/2 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 cup Sofrito
• 1 tbsp Cumin
• 1 tbsp Paprika
• 1/2 tbsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tbsp black pepper
• 2 whole Bay leaves
• 1 small Culantro bundle
• 2 sprigs Fresh thyme
• 12 oz Tomato sauce
• 1 small Name root (peeled and cut into 1/2 inch chunks)
• 1 small Boniato root (peeled and cut into 1/2 inch chunks)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1--- Prepare the meats ---
2. 2Soak the beef chuck and chicken thighs in lime juice. Add a quarter of the seasonings (cumin, salt, pepper, oregano, paprika) and set aside 30 minutes.
3. 3Heat large pot over medium-high eat. Add ghee or olive oil, then once hot brown the meats individually. First brown the beef shank. Remove and set aside.
4. 4Next brown the beef chuck cubes and finally the chicken thighs. Set all aside.
5. 5--- Prepare the broth ---
6. 6Using the same pot add the onions and saute 2-3 minutes then add the garlic and a pinch of the seasoning mix for another 30 seconds to a minute.
7. 7Add sofrito, tomato sauce, half the remaining seasonings. Mix well cooking about 1-2 minutes before next step.
8. 8Add broth, beef shank, culantro, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer, cooking for 15-20 minutes.
9. 9--- Make the stew ---
10. 10Remove the culantro. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Add vegetables.
11. 11Add beef chunks and chicken thighs. Bake covered for 60 minutes.
12. 12Add the sausage and peppers. Bake another 60 minutes. Remove pot from oven and let rest before serving.