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Beef Nilaga with Corn and Pechay

A clear, comforting beef nilaga with tender beef, sweet corn, potatoes and pechay in a clean-tasting broth.

Updated August 25, 2026By Sarap Recipe Editorial
Pork Sinigang with Kangkong and Radish Filipino recipe
Prep20 minutes
Cook1 hour 40 minutes
Serves6
LevelMedium

A clear, comforting beef nilaga with tender beef, sweet corn, potatoes and pechay in a clean-tasting broth.

Ingredients

  • 1 kg beef chuck or short ribs, cut into chunks
  • 10 cups water
  • 1 onion, quartered
  • 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
  • 2 ears corn, cut into rounds
  • 3 medium potatoes, quartered
  • 1 small cabbage, cut into wedges
  • 2 bunches pechay, trimmed
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce, plus more to taste
  • Spring onions for serving

How to cook it

  1. Place beef and water in a large pot. Bring slowly to a boil and skim off the gray foam.
  2. Add onion and peppercorns. Lower the heat, cover partly and simmer until the beef is nearly tender.
  3. Add the corn and continue simmering for 20 minutes.
  4. Add potatoes and cook until they can be pierced easily but still hold their shape.
  5. Season the broth with fish sauce a little at a time.
  6. Add cabbage and pechay during the final 3 to 5 minutes so the vegetables stay bright.
  7. Serve very hot with spring onions and extra fish sauce on the side.
Kitchen tip: Keep the soup at a gentle simmer after the initial boil. Taste near the end and adjust fish sauce or salt gradually, especially after the broth has reduced.

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