Brazilian recipe
Easy and Traditional Arroz de Carreteiro with Salt-Cured Beef
A no-fuss, authentic Brazilian Arroz de Carreteiro recipe. This hearty, one-pot meal combines savoury salt-cured beef with rice and fresh herbs for a comforting family favourite.
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Ingredients
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, finely diced
2 tablespoons lard or vegetable oil
5 cups boiling water
800 g charque (salt-cured beef), cut into small pieces and desalted
Fresh green herbs (parsley and spring onions), finely chopped, to taste
2 cups long-grain rice, rinsed and drained
1 onion, finely diced
2 tablespoons lard or vegetable oil
5 cups boiling water
800 g charque (salt-cured beef), cut into small pieces and desalted
Fresh green herbs (parsley and spring onions), finely chopped, to taste
2 cups long-grain rice, rinsed and drained
Where to find ingredients
Charque is a specific type of dried, salt-cured beef. You can find it at specialty Latin American grocers or international markets. If unavailable, look for 'dried salted beef' or 'beef jerky' (unsweetened) as a substitute, though real charque is best for the authentic texture. Lard is available in the baking or ethnic aisle of most supermarkets. Fresh herbs like parsley and spring onions are staples in the produce section of any local grocery store.
Preparation method
- Soak the charque in cold water for several hours, changing the water multiple times to draw out the excess salt
- Heat the lard or vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat
- Sauté the onion until translucent, then add the garlic and cook until golden
- Add the desalted beef pieces to the pot and brown them well until they are aromatic and develop a nice crust
- Stir in the rice, coating the grains in the fat and meat juices, and toast them for a few minutes
- Pour the boiling water into the pot over the rice and beef mixture
- Reduce the heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and all the water has been absorbed
- Finish by folding in the fresh chopped herbs right before serving to add a bright, fresh note to the dish
Observations
Arroz de Carreteiro is a quintessential Brazilian comfort food, with roots tracing back to the days of historic wagon drivers who needed a durable, filling meal on the trail. This dish highlights the deep, savoury flavour of salt-cured beef, known as charque, simmered together with aromatics and rice. It is the perfect one-pot solution for a nourishing, flavour-packed weeknight dinner that is surprisingly easy to pull together.
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