Olla de Carne

Name: Olla de Carne
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 145 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Costa Rica
Ingredients: 3 lbs beef shank or short ribs; 3 ears corn, cut into chunks; 2 potatoes, cubed; 1 chayote, cubed; 2 yuca roots, peeled and cubed; 1 taro root, cubed; 2 plantains, cut into chunks; 1 onion, quartered; 2 cloves garlic; 1 bunch cilantro; Salt and black pepper, to taste

8 servings25 min prep120 min cookEasy Costa Rica

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Olla de Carne

Story updated September 17, 2026

Olla de carne is a traditional Costa Rican beef and root vegetable stew, the kind of long-simmered Sunday family meal handed down through generations rather than credited to any single cook. It reflects the broader Latin American tradition of hearty, vegetable-laden meat stews built for feeding a household.

Ingredients

Scale:· 8 servings

3 lbs beef shank or short ribs
3 ears corn, cut into chunks
2 potatoes, cubed
1 chayote, cubed
2 yuca roots, peeled and cubed
1 taro root, cubed
2 plantains, cut into chunks
1 onion, quartered
2 cloves garlic
1 bunch cilantro
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1Place the beef in a large pot with onion, garlic, and enough water to cover.
2Bring to a boil, skim any foam, then simmer 1 1/2 hours until the beef is tender.
3Add corn, potatoes, chayote, yuca, and taro, and simmer 20 minutes.
4Add the plantains and cook 15 more minutes until all vegetables are tender.
5Season with salt and pepper and stir in chopped cilantro.
6Serve the beef and vegetables in bowls with plenty of broth.

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