Venezuelan Pabellón Criollo

An authentic recipe for Venezuelan Pabellón Criollo, combining savory shredded beef, seasoned black beans, fluffy white rice, and fried sweet plantains.

Level Medium Prep 40 min Cook 90 min Servings 6 Score 4.9/10

Ready in

130 min

Makes 6 servings

Prep 40m

Cook 90m

Level Medium

About this recipe

An authentic recipe for Venezuelan Pabellón Criollo, combining savory shredded beef, seasoned black beans, fluffy white rice, and fried sweet plantains.

A celebratory traditional Venezuelan meal consisting of shredded beef, black beans, white rice, and fried sweet plantains.

Instructions

Boil the flank steak in water until tender, about 45-60 minutes. Let cool, then shred the meat finely.
In a skillet, sauté onions, bell peppers, garlic, and tomatoes, then add the shredded beef and simmer until flavorful (Carne Mechada).
Cook the pre-soaked black beans with garlic, onion, and cumin until soft and rich (Caraotas).
Prepare the fluffy white rice by boiling it with water or broth until tender.
Slice the ripe plantains and fry them in vegetable oil until golden brown on both sides (Tajadas).
Serve all components together warm on a platter with the rice, black beans, shredded beef, and sweet plantains side by side.

Nutrition

Calories 650

Protein 35g

Carbs 85g

Fat 18g

Fiber 14g

Sugar 16g

Sodium 480mg

Serving Size 1 plate

Cooking Timeline

Prep 40 min

Cook 90 min

Total 130 min

Recipe Scorecard

Overall 9.3 /10

Expert 4.9 95% conf.

Taste 9.8
Presentation 9.5
Nutrition 8.0
Value 9.0
Instructions 9.0
Ingredients 9.2
Time Accuracy 8.5
Difficulty 7.5
Would Make Again 9.0

Expert Review

Reviewed by FindEdition Kitchen

Verdict

The ultimate comfort dish of Venezuela, offering a magnificent balance of savory, sweet, and earthy flavors.

Pros

Authentic national recipe
Incredible flavor profile
Hearty and satisfying

Cons

Requires multi-step meal preparation

Overview

A celebratory traditional Venezuelan meal consisting of shredded beef, black beans, white rice, and fried sweet plantains.

AI Insights

Summary

An authentic recipe for Venezuelan Pabellón Criollo, combining savory shredded beef, seasoned black beans, fluffy white rice, and fried sweet plantains.

Tips

Shred the beef along the grain while it is still warm for the best texture
Add a pinch of sugar to the black beans if you prefer a subtle hint of sweetness
Ensure the plantains are fully ripe for a soft, caramelized interior when fried