The warm season has already arrived throughout the country, and even though the weather has played a trick on us with some untimely rains and hailstorms, not characteristic of this time, we can’t deny that we’ve stowed away our coats and moved away from piping hot dishes in favor of salads, refreshing dishes, and cold desserts.
Hence, I felt the urge to prepare this mexican shredded beef salad, a recipe that showcases the significant influence of Spanish cuisine on Mexican cooking. Let’s remember that beef was introduced to Mexico during the era of the conquistadors. The Spanish-originated beef “salpicón,” made with chopped beef and bacon, dressed with oil and vinegar, is somewhat akin to the mexican shredded beef salad we know in our country. Our traditional version is prepared with quintessential ingredients from our cuisine: tomatoes, chili, and avocado, embodying the true essence of our culinary heritage.
Absolutely, it’s a wonderfully refreshing recipe that offers a lot of flexibility. We can play around with the quantities of each ingredient based on our own preferences and those of our families. Some might choose to dice the avocado and mix it in, while others might prefer to place it on top as a garnish. It’s all about personal taste!
- 350 grams of beef skirt steak
- 1 onion
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 tomatoes
- 2 green chilies
- 2 lemons
- 2 tablespoons of white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- Salt
- Pepper
- **For serving:**
- Avocado
- Corn tostadas
- Lettuce
- Let's begin by placing the beef in a pot along with the bay leaves, salt, and enough water to cover it. Bring it to a boil. If you're using a pressure cooker, cook for 25 minutes after it reaches pressure. If you're using a regular pot, let it simmer for at least an hour until it's fully cooked and easy to shred.
- While the meat is cooking, you can prepare the other ingredients. Start by dicing the onion and tomatoes into small cubes. Slice the green chilies into rounds. If you're including lettuce, wash it and cut it into thin strips.
- Once the meat is cooked, finely shred it and then season it with the lemon juice, vinegar, and olive oil.
- Lastly, mix the shredded meat with the fresh ingredients, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Serve the beef medley accompanied by sliced avocado, corn tostadas, and fresh lettuce. Enjoy the delicious flavors and textures that this dish brings to your table!
When making mexican shredded beef salad, the most time-consuming part is cooking the meat and shredding it. Having a pressure cooker on hand can be a great help for this process. When it comes to shredding the meat, it’s best to do it while it’s still warm, as it’s much easier than when it’s cold.
What to serve with mexican shredded beef salad or mexican salpicon
This typical dish of Mexican cuisine is usually served cold and accompanied by mexican shredded beef salad. However, this will depend on personal tastes and culinary traditions from each region.
Here are some options:
- Fresh sliced avocado: This is a great choice, especially if we’re aiming to mellow down the flavors of the mexican shredded beef salad and add a slightly creamy touch.
- Corn tostadas or salted crackers: These are perfect for providing that desired crunch that our taste buds long for.
- Cooked white rice: A classic accompaniment in many Mexican and Latin American dishes.
- Boiled or fried yuca: A popular option in Caribbean and South American countries to accompany mexican salpicon and other dishes, both sweet and savory.
- Plantains, ripe, fried, or mashed: These are also an excellent choice to enhance the flavor of the beef medley.
We should also consider some beverages that complement the flavor of our mexican shredded beef salad. The choices will depend on the occasion, but here are some options:
- Aguas frescas: There’s no Mexican meal that can’t be accompanied by the traditional aguas frescas: horchata, tamarind, or hibiscus are a refreshing and sweet choice to balance the spiciness of our salpicón de res.
- Mexican Beer: A well-chilled beer, whether light or dark, can be a not only refreshing but also an authentic choice that enhances the vibrancy of the vegetables while accentuating the nuances of the meat.
- Tequila: The earthy notes of agave in tequila harmonize wonderfully with the richness of the meat and elevate the citrusy and spicy elements of our mexican shredded beef salad. Whether you choose blanco, reposado, or añejo, a glass of tequila from Costco or another of your choice that complies with the Tequila Appellation of Origin is a good choice.
Enjoy your meal!
Esta entrada también está disponible en: Spanish
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