Vegan Mechado Filipino Stew (Print-Friendly Version)
Vegan beef with tender veggies in rich tomato broth for a comforting Filipino-inspired dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegan Beef Preparation
01 -
2 cups dehydrated vegan beef slices
02 -
3 tablespoons soy sauce
03 -
1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
04 -
1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 -
Salt to taste
06 -
Black pepper to taste
→ Main Ingredients
07 -
2 tablespoons cooking oil
08 -
1 medium onion, chopped
09 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
10 -
2 tablespoons tomato paste
11 -
2 cups vegetable broth
12 -
1 cup tomato sauce
13 -
1 tablespoon vegan fish sauce
14 -
1 teaspoon sugar
15 -
1 tablespoon vinegar
16 -
Salt and pepper to taste
17 -
1 pinch monosodium glutamate, optional
18 -
2 bay leaves
→ Vegetables
19 -
2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
20 -
2 medium carrots, sliced
21 -
1 cup bell peppers, sliced
22 -
1 cup green peas
# How to Make It:
01 -
Place dehydrated vegan beef slices in boiling water and soak until softened, about 10 to 12 minutes. Drain and squeeze out excess liquid.
02 -
Combine softened vegan beef with soy sauces, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
03 -
Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add marinated vegan beef and cook until browned on the edges, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove and set aside.
04 -
In the same pot, sauté chopped onions until translucent, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and cook until deep red, 1 to 2 minutes.
05 -
Pour in vegetable broth and tomato sauce. Stir in sugar, vegan fish sauce, vinegar, salt, pepper, optional MSG, and bay leaves. Scrape browned bits from the bottom and simmer for 10 minutes.
06 -
Add diced potatoes and sliced carrots to the pot. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 10 minutes.
07 -
Stir in sliced bell peppers, green peas, and the browned vegan beef. Simmer uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes until vegetables are tender and peas are heated through.
08 -
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot over rice for a complete meal.
# Additional Tips:
01 -
Marinating vegan beef overnight deepens the flavor.
02 -
Using a rich vegetable broth enhances umami in the stew.
03 -
Simmering uncovered longer will thicken the sauce naturally.
04 -
Searing vegan beef until golden adds flavor depth.
05 -
High-quality tomato sauce improves the overall richness of the dish.
06 -
This dish can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.
07 -
The stew is freezer-friendly for up to 3 months; thaw before reheating.