Spicy Beef Soup with Vegetables - Yukgaejang Salvadoran Style

Ingredients

In this Salvadoran adaptation of Yukgaejang, we incorporate traditional Salvadoran spices like cumin, coriander, and annatto to infuse the soup with a distinct flavor profile. Additionally, we use local Salvadoran chili peppers to add a fiery kick to the dish. The choice of vegetables is also modified to include cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers, which are commonly used in Salvadoran cuisine. We alse have the original recipe for Yukgaejang, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) beef, thinly sliced 500g (1.1 lb) beef, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon cumin powder 1 tablespoon cumin powder
• 1 tablespoon coriander powder 1 tablespoon coriander powder
• 1 tablespoon annatto powder 1 tablespoon annatto powder
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 liters (8 cups) beef broth 2 liters (8 cups) beef broth
• 2 cups cabbage, shredded 2 cups cabbage, shredded
• 2 carrots, julienned 2 carrots, julienned
• 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 2 Salvadoran chili peppers, thinly sliced 2 Salvadoran chili peppers, thinly sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 4g
• Protein: 40g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until fragrant.
2. 2.
   Add the thinly sliced beef to the pot and cook until browned.
3. 3.
   In a small bowl, mix together the cumin powder, coriander powder, annatto powder, tomato paste, soy sauce, fish sauce, and Worcestershire sauce to form a paste.
4. 4.
   Add the spice paste to the pot and stir well to coat the beef.
5. 5.
   Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 30 minutes.
6. 6.
   Add the shredded cabbage, julienned carrots, sliced bell pepper, and Salvadoran chili peppers to the pot. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
7. 7.
   Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. 8.
   Serve the spicy beef soup hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Beef — For the best results, choose a tender cut of beef such as sirloin or ribeye and slice it thinly against the grain to ensure tenderness.
• Salvadoran chili peppers — Adjust the amount of chili peppers according to your spice preference. You can remove the seeds for a milder flavor.
• Annatto powder — If annatto powder is not available, you can substitute it with paprika for a similar color and mild flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• To save time, you can use pre-packaged beef broth instead of making it from scratch.
• Adjust the spiciness of the soup by adding more or fewer Salvadoran chili peppers.
• Serve the soup with a side of Salvadoran corn tortillas for a complete meal.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and taste even better the next day as the flavors meld together.
• Feel free to add other vegetables such as zucchini or mushrooms to customize the soup to your liking.

Serving advice

Serve the Salvadoran Spicy Beef Soup hot in individual bowls. Garnish each bowl with fresh cilantro for a burst of freshness. Accompany the soup with warm Salvadoran corn tortillas for a truly authentic experience.

Presentation advice

Present the Salvadoran Spicy Beef Soup in a deep bowl, allowing the vibrant red color of the soup to shine through. Arrange the tender beef slices and colorful vegetables on top, and sprinkle fresh cilantro as a final touch. Serve with a side of warm corn tortillas for an inviting and visually appealing presentation.