Delicious Carne en Salsa Recipe - Costa Rica - Pura Vida Moms (2024)

ByChrista JimenezPublished:

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Costa Rican carne en salsa is a braised flank steak mixed with a sweet and tangy tomato sauce and served with white rice or as part of a Costa Rican casado.

There is really nothing that I love more than a great carne en salsa from Costa Rica- especially served with Costa Rican white rice.

Delicious Carne en Salsa Recipe - Costa Rica - Pura Vida Moms (1)

I spent many years living in San Ramon, and they celebrate Saint Raymond Day in the two weeks leading up to his feast day on August 31. There are processions, an ox cart parade, and street food vendors everywhere.

The celebration is also a church fundraiser and women from all around the area donate their time to make classic Costa Rican dishes in the turnos- or small food stalls. This carne en salsa recipe (along with estofado, olla carne, arroz con pollo, and homemade tortillas) is sold by the ton because it’s the best eating of the year. (I’m salivating just thinking about it!)

YOU’LL ALSO LIKE: Costa Rican Gallo Pinto Recipe

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Since it isn’t exactly practical for me to fly to Costa Rica every time I’m craving shredded beef in red sauce, I finally got a tutorial from my husband’s uncle on how to make an authentic carne en salsa just like you can find in Costa Rica. (Tio William is also the one who taught us how to make traditional pork tamales).

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Carne en salsa Recipe

(Printable recipe below)

Ingredients

  • flank steak
  • beef broth
  • canned diced tomato (or fresh tomatoes)
  • white onion
  • cilantro
  • garlic
  • ketchup
  • soy sauce
  • Salsa Lizano (optional)
  • sugar
  • salt
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Instructions

Prepare and shred the meat according to the recipe here. You can do this several days in advance or right before making the carne en salsa sauce. I like to make half the meat for this recipe and the other half to use for shredded beef empanadas.

Place all ingredients (except the shredded meat!) in the blender and liquefy. If you are not getting a smooth enough consistency, add a bit more broth.

Heat the sauce in a large saucepan on medium until simmering. Stir in the shredded beef and bring to a low boil. I then taste the meat with sauce to see how it is and add salt or sugar accordingly.

TRY ALSO: Hearty and Healthy Costa Rican Olla de Carne

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Substitutions

If you don’t have canned or fresh tomatoes on hand, about two cups of tomato sauce will have a similar effect.

You can make this dish with shredded chicken as well.

If you can’t get the Salsa Lizano you can use Worcestershire sauce.

WONDERING ABOUT SALSA LIZANO? Read What Is Salsa Lizano From Costa Rica?

Variations

A similar version of this dish is made with ox tail- estofado.

You will often find that traditional Costa Rican nachos use this recipe along with meltable white cheese on top of freshly fried corn tortillas for nachos. It’s delish.

The shredded beef on its own is used for empanadas and also a nice sustancia de carne.

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Serving Suggestions

This dish will often be served as a light soup with traditional Costa Rican white rice at the bottom of the bowl or on the side.

You will also find this on top of a homemade corn tortilla for a gallo de carne en salsa.

We eat this dish for breakfast alongside gallo pinto, fried eggs, cheese and avocado.

As a lunch item, this carne en salsa is my favorite protein in the Costa Rican casado.

Leftover carne en salsa is often made into a Costa Rican sandwich- a fresh French baguette filled with meat, lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mayonnaise, and white cheese.

FAQ


What beef is best for shredding?

I like flank steak, but chuck roast is an ok alternative. I would exercise caution when it comes to round and rump roasts, as those tend to be tougher and require more cooking. The best rule of thumb when it comes to selecting a cut for easily shred-able meat is to look for fat marbling. The higher the fat content, the more tender and juicy the beef.

What is “Ragu”?

Ragu is very similar to what we’re making here– traditionally used as an Italian pasta sauce, it’s made out of finely chopped meat, vegetables and tomato sauce.

Printable Recipe

Yield: 6-8 servings

Costa Rican Carne en Salsa

Delicious Carne en Salsa Recipe - Costa Rica - Pura Vida Moms (7)

Costa Rican carne en salsa is a braised flank steak mixed with a sweet and tangy tomato sauce and served with white rice or as part of a Costa Rican casado.

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time45 minutes

Additional Time15 minutes

Total Time1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs flank steak
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 14 oz cans diced tomato or the equivalent of fresh tomatoes
  • 1/2 white onion, quartered
  • 1/2 bunch cilantro
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 4 TB ketchup
  • 3 TB soy sauce
  • 3 TB Salsa Lizano (optional)
  • 1 TB sugar
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare and shred the meat according to the recipe here. You can do this several days in advance or right before making the carne en salsa sauce. I like to make half the meat for this recipe and the other half to use for shredded beef empanadas.
  2. Place all ingredients (except the shredded meat!) in the blender and liquefy. If you are not getting a smooth enough consistency, add a bit more broth.
  3. Heat the sauce in a large saucepan on medium until simmering.
  4. Stir in the shredded beef and bring to a low boil.
  5. I then taste the meat with sauce to see how it is, and add salt or sugar accordingly.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 270Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 819mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 2gSugar: 7gProtein: 34g

Please double-check this information with your favorite nutrition calculator.

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Delicious Carne en Salsa Recipe - Costa Rica - Pura Vida Moms (11)
Delicious Carne en Salsa Recipe - Costa Rica - Pura Vida Moms (2024)

FAQs

What is the Pura Vida culture in Costa Rica? ›

The phrase represents Costa Rican culture at its best and is more than just a passive phrase. It implies that life can be ever so more glorious when you shrug off the small things. Embracing 'Pura Vida' is a decision to simplify and say 'that's life' when things go awry.

What is the green sauce in Costa Rica? ›

You see, Lizano sauce has been an essential ingredient in Costa Rican kitchens for nearly a century. This heavenly salsa is made from a secret recipe of vegetables, spices, and a touch of heat. Lizano adds a unique and delicious flavor to any dish it's paired with, from tamales to gallo pinto.

What is Lizano sauce made of? ›

It is slightly sweet and acidic, with a hint of spiciness lent by black pepper and cumin. The ingredients include water, sugar, salt, vegetables (onions, carrots, cauliflower, cucumbers), spices, pepper, mustard, turmeric, modified corn starch, hydrolized vegetable protein, sodium benzoate.

What is a substitute for Salsa Lizano? ›

**If you don't have Salsa Lizano mix together 2 teaspoons of honey, 2 teaspoons ketchup, 1 teaspoon hot sauce, and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce and use that in its place.

What are 4 meanings of Pura Vida? ›

You can say pura vida to mean “thank you,” “you're welcome,” “that's great” or “life is good.” The versatility of the phrase is part of its appeal, and it's a 100% positive expression of pleasure in life lived to its fullest.

What is so special about Pura Vida? ›

Translating to “pure life” in Spanish, “pura vida” is more than just a saying. It's a lifestyle of sorts. One that's all about enjoying life's little pleasures, slowing things down and living life to the fullest.

What are the 3 most popular foods in Costa Rica? ›

Pinto and beans are a staple of Costa Rica and common denominator among different culinary tastes in different regions of the country. As a whole, the three most famous dishes of the country are Casado, Gallo Pinto and Arroz con Pollo.

What is the salsa sauce in Costa Rica? ›

Costa Rica's signature condiment, Lizano sauce is a smooth, light brown sauce similar to Worcestershire sauce. It is slightly sweet and tangy, with a hint of spiciness from black pepper and cumin.

What is salsa called in Costa Rica? ›

There is a particular bottled salsa on every table in Costa Rica. It's called Lizano and the first time you taste it you have to stop and think a minute.

How do Costa Ricans say hello? ›

How do Costa Ricans say hello? Aside from the standard hola, buenos días and buenas tardes, the Spanish phrases used by Costa Ricans include the single word buenas, especially when greeting strangers in passing.

What is a good salary in Costa Rica? ›

Average wages

However, to give a general sense, as of the latest reports, the average monthly salary for Costa Ricans is estimated to be roughly between 450,000 CRC (Costa Rican colón) to 650,000 CRC. This converts to approximately $700 to $1,000 at the exchange rate prevailing closer to the end of 2020.

What is the best sauce in Costa Rica? ›

Salsa Lizano is the quintessential Costa Rican condiment- you can find it on every table, in every restaurant, and at every grocery store. The flavor is savory and rich with no spice. That's right- it's NOT a hot sauce! If you've ever been to Costa Rica, then you have seen the Salsa Lizano bottles everywhere.

What is gallo pinto called in Costa Rica? ›

“Gallo Pinto literally translates as 'spotted rooster' but is the name given to Costa Rica's ubiquitous national dish of rice and beans. The name most likely originates from the speckled appearance of the black beans against the white rice.”

What is gallo pinto made of in Costa Rica? ›

This Gallo Pinto recipe is a Costa Rican staple made with rice, beans, diced vegetables, and seasonings. Enjoy it for breakfast with eggs, or inside a burrito with your favorite meat.

What is Costa Rica known for culture? ›

We are the country of pura vida – a friendly, multicultural and multilingual people descended from the cultural fusion of immigrants, including Africans, Chinese, Jews, Lebanese and Italians, and the indigenous peoples of the Bribrí, Cabécar, Maleku, Teribe, Boruca, Ngäbe, Huetar and Chorotega groups.

What tradition is Costa Rica known for? ›

Dance remains an important cultural tradition in Costa Rica. Most Costa Ricans learn several traditional dances from a young age. The vast majority of Costa Rican traditional dances were born in the province of Guanacaste. National holidays are often celebrated by spirited displays of dancing in the streets.

What does Pura Vida do to be socially responsible? ›

Making an Impact: Demonstrating Corporate Responsibility

Pura Vida demonstrates corporate responsibility by donating CORAL, offsetting carbon emissions, utilizing biodegradable packaging, and supporting local communities with sustainable jobs.

What is the religious tradition in Costa Rica? ›

In principle over 90% of the Costa Rican population is of Roman Catholic faith. The Caribbean coastal population, consisting mostly of people of African descent, is primarily Protestant, and there are several other religious communities in San José, including a small Jewish community.

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