Sinigang na Baka is a refreshingly sour tamarind-based broth with fork-tender beef ribs and crisp vegetables. This classic Filipino soup is hearty with mouthwatering asim-kilig goodness! Enjoy it on its own, or serve it with steamed rice for a satisfyingly delicious meal.
Sinigang is considered one of the most popular dishes in the Philippines. This classic Filipino soup, known for its signature sour flavor, is often served as an everyday dinner meal, especially during cold rainy months.
Tamarind usually adds the dish’s distinctive tanginess, but other fruits like kamias, guava, santol, green mango, and calamansi are also common souring agents. Different types of protein are also used for variety, including sinigang na hipon, sinigang na salmon, sinigang na baboy, and sinigang na bulalo.
Ingredient notes
Although I add a myriad of vegetables, from okra and eggplant to long beans and pechay, to my pork sinigang, I prefer my beef sinigang the way my mother prepared it for us when we were growing up. Her version was a simple affair of kangkong, labanos, and gabi, emphasizing a perfectly sour broth made extra flavorful by gently simmered bone-rich beef ribs.
- Beef short ribs– rich in gelatin and protein for a rich, meaty broth. Other cuts, such as beef shanks, brisket, or spare ribs, are also good options.
- Tomatoes– ripe tomatoes are perfect for soups as they’re juicier with a sweeter taste.
- Onion- adds another layer of flavor.
- Vegetables– The recipe uses gabi, labanos, and kangkong. You can also include or substitute eggplant, okra, pechay, or sitaw.
- Fish Sauce– balances the flavor of the soup and gives it a savory, umami taste.
- Tamarind– The recipe uses tamarind powder or sinigang mix for ease, but feel free to use fresh green, unripe tamarind if preferred. You can also use tamarind paste or pulp; make sure it’s pure tamarind without any added sweetener.
- Finger chili peppers – also referred to as siling pangsigang or siling haba. They add mild heat to the dish. Cut them in halves if you want a spicier broth.
- Water- Add more in ½ cup increments to cook the beef to tenderness while maintaining ample liquid.
Beef sinigang easy cooking steps
- Combine beef and enough water to cover in a pot and boil; skim off any scum that floats on top to ensure a clear, sediment-free broth.
- Add the onions, tomatoes, and fish sauce to layer flavor. Simmer the meat until fork tender, adding more water in ½ cup increments as needed.
- Prepare the gabi and labanos by peeling and cutting them into uniform sizes for even cooking. Add to the soup for extra flavor and to extend servings. Cook until tender but not falling apart. Season the soup with tamarind powder or pulp, and adjust the taste with salt and pepper.
- Add the sturdier kangkong stalks to the pot first, as they take a little longer to cook, and then the tender leaves next.
Serving and Storing
- Enjoy a bowl of piping hot Sinigang na Baka as comfort food on its own, or serve it with steamed rice for a filling and hearty lunch or dinner with spiced fish sauce for dipping on the side.
- Allow leftovers to cool completely before storing. Keep in a container with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months. The vegetables might turn mushy when frozen and thawed.
- Reheat in a saucepan over medium heat to 165 F or a microwave at 2 to 3-minute intervals until heated through.
