Caldo de Res (Mexican Beef Soup) [Instant Pot]

In the winter, I feel like I need to get my fill of soup before the weather warms up again. Granted, it’s the middle of January and we’re experiencing a slight heat wave with temps in the low 40s! That said, this Caldo de Res is a great pot for bitter cold days or semi cool days like this one. The soup eats like a meal with a hearty bowl full of beef, corn, potatoes. baby carrots and a healthy dose of fresh cilantro and lime juice. The broth itself is nourishing, especially after pressure cooking the beef to retain all that flavor.

My son is one who loves rice and insisted putting rice in his soup bowl. I must admit, I liked it too as it reminded me of a Filipino dish I ate growing up. But this Mexican Beef Soup is wonderful as it is.

The trick to this soup is that it’s done in 2 phases. The beef is cooked up first to soften and impart its flavor in the broth. The second part is pressure cooking the vegetables for a mere 5 minutes. Depending on how big or small your vegetables are cut, you may have to play around with the timing.

If anything, you can also allow the vegetables to just cook on the SAUTE mode and skip the second round of pressure cooking all together!

About Caldo de Res

Caldo de Res is a traditional Mexican beef soup that has been enjoyed for generations. It is a hearty and comforting soup that is often made with a variety of vegetables. It includes potatoes, carrots, cabbage, and corn on the cob. Also, the soup is typically served with a side of rice and fresh tortillas.

The cultural significance of Caldo de Res lies in its connection to Mexican culture and tradition. Also, Mexican cuisine is known for its bold flavors, and Caldo de Res is no exception. The soup is often made with a beef shank or beef brisket. These are tough cuts of meat that require slow cooking to become tender. This slow cooking method is a reflection of the traditional Mexican cooking style that values taking time to prepare food with care and attention to detail.

Caldo de Res (Mexican Beef Soup)

original Joelen recipe

Caldo de Res Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef shank, with bone
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 3 cups beef broth
• 2 cups water
• 2 medium carrot, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 potato, quartered
• 2 ears corn, husked and cut into thirds (frozen works well too)
• 1 medium head cabbage, cored & cut into wedges
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1/4 cup freshly minced cilantro

Garnishes Ingredients For Caldo de Res (optional)

• 1/4 cup sliced pickled jalapenos
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 limes, cut into wedges

How To Make Caldo de Res

1. Plug in the IP.
2. Press SAUTE and add the oil and onion; cooking until softened.
3. Season the beef with salt and pepper and add to the pot. Cook until thoroughly browned.
4. Add the tomatoes, broth and water to cover the beef.
5. Secure the lid of the IP and ensure the valve is set to SEALING.
6. Press MANUAL and adjust the time to 25 minutes on HIGH pressure.
7. The display will reflect ON while the IP comes to pressure. Allow a few minutes for your IP to come to pressure. Once at pressure, the display will reflect 3 (the number of minutes you initially set) and will begin to countdown to 0 minutes.
8. When the IP beeps after pressure cooking for 25 minutes, allow your IP to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes. While naturally releasing pressure (also known as NRP or NR), the display will reflect numbers counting up from 1. The numbers indicate how many minutes the IP has stopped cooking since it beeped (or how many minutes it has been naturally releasing pressure). No need to touch your IP while it naturally releases pressure.
9. When the display reflects 10 minutes (which is 10 minutes since the IP has beeped), turn the setting on top of your IP to VENTING. Doing so allows the IP to quickly release pressure (also known as QRP or QR). I use a wooden spoon to carefully turn the setting to avoid close contact with the potential steam. You may also want to turn your IP away from cabinets to allow the released steam to escape freely. The pin at the top of your IP will drop when all pressure has been released and it’s safe to open.
10. Open up your IP when the pin has dropped (allow a few minutes for this to happen).
11. Add the potato, corn, carrots, cabbage and half of the cilantro.
12. Once again, secure the lid of the IP and ensure the valve is set to SEALING.
13. Press MANUAL and adjust the time to 5 minutes on HIGH pressure.
14. When the IP beeps after pressure cooking for 5 minutes, turn the setting on top of your IP to VENTING to quickly release pressure
15. Open up your IP when the pin has dropped (allow a few minutes for this to happen).
16. Ladle soup into large bowls, including meat vegetables and bones. Garnish with jalapenos, minced onion, and additional cilantro. Squeeze lime juice over all and serve.

Benefits of Caldo de Res

Here are some benefits of Mexican Beef Soup:

Time-saving

Traditional Caldo de Res requires a long cooking time, often up to several hours. It allows the beef to become tender. With an Instant Pot, the soup can be cooked in a fraction of the time, as the pressure cooking function can speed up the cooking process.

Retention of Nutrients

The Instant Pot uses a sealed environment to cook the ingredients. Also, it helps to retain more of the nutrients in the vegetables and meat than traditional cooking methods, such as boiling or simmering.

Enhanced Flavors

The Instant Pot is a powerful cooking tool that can intensify flavors by locking in the moisture and concentrating the taste of the ingredients. As a result, Caldo de Res made in an Instant Pot can be more flavorful than traditional stove-top methods.

Ease of use

The Instant Pot is a versatile appliance that can be used to cook a wide variety of dishes, and it is also easy to clean. Also, this makes it a convenient option for home cooks who are looking to save time in the kitchen without sacrificing flavor.

Health benefits

Caldo de Res is a nutritious and satisfying soup that has vitamins, minerals, and protein. By using an Instant Pot to cook the soup. It will help retain more of these nutrients and make a healthier meal for you and your family.

Tips for Making Caldo De Res

Here are some tips for making Caldo De Res:

Use the right cuts of meat

For Caldo de Res, it’s best to use tough cuts of beef, such as beef shank or brisket. These cuts will become tender and flavorful after cooking in the Instant Pot. Also, you can also add beef bones or oxtails to the soup to add more depth of flavor.

Brown the meat first

Before adding the meat to the Instant Pot, it’s a good idea to brown it first on the sauté function. This will help to develop the flavors and give the soup a richer taste.

Layer the ingredients

To ensure that the vegetables cook evenly, it’s best to layer them in the Instant Pot, with the denser vegetables, such as potatoes and carrots, on the bottom and the softer vegetables, such as cabbage and corn, on top.

Use enough liquid

Caldo de Res requires a lot of liquid to make a flavorful broth. Also, it’s important to add enough water or broth to cover the ingredients and allow for some evaporation during cooking.

Season to taste

Mexican cuisine is famous for its bold flavors. So, don’t be afraid to use plenty of spices and herbs in your Caldo de Res. Some common seasonings include garlic, cumin, oregano, and bay leaves. Also, add salt and pepper to taste.

Allow for natural release

After the soup has finished cooking, allow the Instant Pot to release pressure naturally for 10-15 minutes before opening the valve. This will help to prevent any spattering or burning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Print

Conclusion: Make Caldo de Res in an Instant Pot

If you’re a fan of Mexican cuisine and hearty soups, you should definitely try making Caldo de Res in an Instant Pot. This traditional soup is rich in flavors. Instant Pot can help to intensify those flavors while also saving you time in the kitchen. With the Instant Pot’s pressure cooking function, you can make a delicious and satisfying bowl of Caldo de Res in just a fraction of the time it would take on the stove. Plus, the sealed cooking environment helps to retain more of the nutrients in the vegetables and meat, making for a healthier meal. Also, with the convenience of the Instant Pot, you can easily adjust the seasoning and thickness of the soup to your liking. So, it makes it a versatile and customizable dish that the whole family can enjoy.